How Water Contamination Lawsuits in North Carolina Works

Between 1953 and 1987, water supplies in North Carolina (Camp Lejeune) were contaminated with a couple of dangerous chemicals that caused a wide range of health conditions, such as ALS, congenital disabilities, cancer, and other life-threatening injuries.

More than one person used to live in the state at the time as families, former duty/active military service members, and non-military staff. If you or a loved one has suffered health problems because of North Carolina’s water contamination, you can participate in water contamination lawsuits.

How Camp Lejeune’s Water Got Contaminated

Like other military camps, Camp Lejeune has water supplies, which serve its employee and resident population. Their water gets pumped from underground wells and then delivered into distribution systems.

Between the aforementioned people, water supplies at the camp got contaminated with VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Basically, VOCs refer to substances with low solubility and high vapor pressure in water and might result in severe health problems when ingested.

Damages of Water Contamination Diseases and North Carolina Water Contamination

It is vital to consider the damage you, as well as other family members, have suffered because of water contamination in North Carolina. For this, you can be entitled to compensation to cover the following:

• Loss of companionship and society
• Disability
• Emotional distress
• Medical expenses
• Pain & suffering
• Low wages
• Out-of-the-pocket expenses

North Carolina’s Water Contamination Lawsuits

Water contamination lawsuits in North Carolina must be filed in the state regardless of where the victims live now, if they died, and where. Losses that claimants sought may include future/current/past medical bills, quality of life, and lost wages.

Anyone who worked or lived at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between the 1^st of August 1953 and the 31^st of December 1987 can file a lawsuit to fight for compensation to cover losses. Even if your relative died decades ago, you might still file a case on their behalf.

Pregnant women who got exposed to the contaminated water and had miscarriages or gave birth to babies with defects can as well file for a lawsuit to get compensated.

Steps Involve in Filing a Lawsuit

As a Pact Act passed in August last year, the North Carolina Justice Act gives affected contractors, military families, and other people the right to sue the government for toxic VOC exposure in the state.

But the North Carolina Justice AC stimulates some criteria used for filing a lawsuit. Firstly, it is a must that you might have been exposed to toxic water for at least 30 days for the aforementioned period. Though those days don’t need to be consecutive.

In order to get compensation, you will start filing for a claim with JAG (Navy Judge Advocate General) office. But if your claim is denied, you may file a case in the federal court of the Eastern District of North Carolina. If your claim is approved, you may still proceed with your claim if you strongly believe the compensation isn’t enough.

Conclusion!

If you want to learn more about how you can file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit for compensation, it is best to contact a qualified and reliable attorney. Ensure your attorney handles different claims that military members file and can help you understand the available options and the routes you may take.