Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyer New York City

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyer: Fighting for Justice for Affected Veterans

Camp Lejeune is a United States Marine Corps base located in North Carolina. Between the 1950s and 1980s, the drinking water at the base was contaminated with toxic chemicals. Many exposed people have since developed severe health problems.

In response, the government has established the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program to provide medical care and other support to those affected by the contamination. Additionally, Congress recently passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021, which gives specific individuals the right to sue the government and recover damages. If you’re looking for a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination lawyer in New York City, contact us today.

What Happened at Camp Lejeune?

Camp Lejeune was home to over 1 million military personnel and their families for over 30 years. Thousands of Marines, their families, and civilian employees were exposed to contaminated water at the base due to the improper handling and disposal of toxic chemicals. This contamination was first discovered in the late 1970s; however, only in the 1990s did the problem become apparent.

The contaminated water contained various hazardous chemicals, including:

Trichloroethylene (TCE)
Perchloroethylene (PCE)
Benzene
Vinyl chloride

These chemicals cause serious health problems, including cancer, neurological disorders, and congenital disabilities. Camp Lejeune water contamination victims may be eligible for compensation for damages incurred due to exposure to toxic chemicals. These damages include:

Medical expenses, such as hospital bills, doctor's visits, and medication costs
Lost wages, as contamination victims may have missed work or been unable to work due to exposure to toxic chemicals
Pain and suffering, including physical pain, emotional distress, and other forms of suffering

Our Settlements

We pride ourselves on results and measure ourselves by what we are able to achieve for our clients. Our mission is to put money into your pocket. Our personal injury and product liability attorneys in NYC have won more than $500 million in settlements and trial verdicts for injured victims. We will not stop fighting until you and your family get every penny you rightfully deserve.

$37,000,000 awarded to an elevator mechanic who was injured in a construction accident.

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$12,157,000 settlement awarded to clients who were victims of a train derailment.

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$6,500,000 settlement awarded to a union construction worker who fell from an unsecured ladder.

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$4,000,000 for family members of victims of the fatal American Flight 587 airline disaster.

$3,710,000 awarded to the victims of the 2012 Empire State Building shootings, innocent bystanders struck by stray bullets from NYC Police Officers.

The Impact of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

The impact of Camp Lejeune water contamination has been devastating for the military personnel and their families who were stationed at the base. The health effects have been severe and long-lasting, and the environmental impact of the contamination has been significant.

Exposure to these chemicals through contaminated water has been linked to a variety of health issues, including:

Cancer
Neurobehavioral effects
Reproductive and developmental problems
Liver, kidney, and immune system damage

The contamination of the water supply at Camp Lejeune also significantly impacted the soil and groundwater, damaging the surrounding environment. This included:

Contamination of nearby wells and water supplies
Contamination of local rivers and streams
Contamination of local fish and wildlife
Damage to local ecosystems

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act Of 2021

On August 10, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 into law. This Act allows certain people to sue the government for damages caused by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. This is critical because the government is generally protected from lawsuits due to sovereign immunity.

The Act specifically gives those exposed for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, the right to sue for compensation.

You must have also developed one of the following diseases to file a claim:

Bladder cancer
Cervical cancer
Myelodysplastic syndrome
Cardiac defect
Brain cancer
Central Nervous System cancer (CNS)
Leukemia
Esophageal cancer
Hodgkins Lymphoma
Kidney cancer
Liver cancer
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Lung cancer
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Multiple myeloma
Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (divide)
Ovarian cancer
Rectal cancer
Prostate cancer
Epilepsy
Fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis)
Female Infertility
Kidney damage
Immune disorders
Miscarriage
Breast cancer
Neurobehavioral effects
Parkinson’s disease
Renal toxicity/disease
Nerve damage
Scleroderma

This list is not necessarily exhaustive, so other illnesses may also qualify. Additionally, you can still receive payment even if you have already received some benefits from the Veteran’s Administration (VA).

Criteria for Camp Lejeune cases

In addition to the above requirements:

You must initially file a claim with the Department of the Navy under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) before you are eligible to file a lawsuit under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act
If your claim is denied or if six months pass with no decision, you can then file a lawsuit
Generally, you will have two years from the date the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was enacted (August 10, 2022) or 180 days after your FTCA claim was denied, whichever is later, to file your lawsuit

However, because this law is still new, some of its terms may be open to interpretation-including the filing deadlines. We recommend contacting our attorneys if you are considering filing a claim and are still determining whether you still have time.

More Than Half A Billion In Verdicts & Settlements For Personal Injury Cases & More

Camp Lejeune water contamination is a serious issue that has caused widespread harm to military members and their families. Those impacted by this contamination may take legal action to hold those responsible accountable and secure the financial support they need to move forward with their lives.

If you’re a Camp Lejeune water contamination victim, the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, PLLC, is here to help. We’re a results-driven law firm of experienced trial lawyers and personal injury attorneys dedicated to pursuing the maximum possible compensation for our clients.

We’re led by Michael S. Lamonsoff, called “The Bull,” by his clients because he never stops fighting for them. For him, the only acceptable outcome for them is victory. Our team of highly aggressive litigators and personal injury lawyers in NYC, with over 100 years of combined experience, have won over half a billion dollars for our clients. Many of these settlements and verdicts are the highest in New York City's history.

Put your case in the hands of a fighter. Contact us today to learn how we can fight for your rights and get the compensation you deserve.