Water contamination issues plagued the Camp Lejeune base for decades. Exposure to harmful chemicals could have harmed your health if you were stationed there during 1953 and 1987.
The federal government has acknowledged this problem. However, it can be challenging for veterans suffering from long-term conditions to determine if they are entitled to compensation due to their contact with polluted water. Filing claims may be complex, and you will need an expert familiar with the regulations that apply to such lawsuits:
Contact an Attorney
It is essential to find an attorney who is familiar with the process of filing a Camp Lejeune water contamination claim. Filing claims can be complex, and you need an attorney who understands the rules and regulations governing such claims 123musiq.ws.
If your lawyer does not have experience or knowledge about filing such claims, you could lose money or time by relying on this person as your legal counsel.
A federal investigator alleges that veteran affairs officials defrauded 21,000 people of cash compensation. It is critical to evaluate how this may affect your case. An experienced attorney will assist in avoiding any loopholes that may cost you Camp Lejeune Water Contamination settlement amounts.
Find and Maintain the Evidence
When filing your lawsuit, it’s essential to ensure you have all the necessary documentation. This includes:
- Military records that show where and when you were stationed at the Camp. You should also keep copies of any paperwork related to your services, such as enlistment papers and discharge orders.
- Medical records from any time you or a family member were treated for illnesses or diseases related to contaminated water. These may include reports and bills from doctors’ visits, lab tests done during treatment, x-rays and scans performed during treatment, etc.
- Other documents related to this issue could include legal notices about possible contamination, letters sent between individuals involved in military activities, photographs showing signs of contamination, and anything that can help prove both presence and harm caused by the exposure worldnewsite.
Follow All Directions
You must follow all instructions from your attorney. Otherwise, your claim may be rejected. If the instructions are unclear or there are contradictions between what you’re being told to do and what your family members have been told, feel free to ask your attorney for clarification.
They are there to help you. But remember, if an instruction is given, it is for a reason, and it’s in your best interests that that reason be followed through with as soon as possible. If you need help or have questions about anything related to your case at any point during this process, feel free to contact your lawyer.
Keep Working With Your Doctor
You will have to keep seeing your doctor. This is because your doctor can assist you in understanding what is going on with your health. What can you expect as the lawsuit progresses?
For example, if the chemicals weaken your immune system, you may need regular blood tests to ensure that no infections develop or flare up during this time. The good news is that doctors are accustomed to working with people exposed to harmful chemicals through their jobs, like agriculture workers, so they know how best to care for them. news247 com
Another benefit of keeping up with your doctor appointments is it helps clarify how much damage has been done to your body. It also helps understand whether symptoms are associated with specific types of cancer, whether certain medications may be needed now or in the future, and so on.
Most importantly, he will help prove that your health has suffered owing to chemicals found at the camp through medical evidence. This can assist in building your case and boost your chances of success.
Your healthcare provider can also offer advice about how best to approach these issues from an emotional standpoint. This is important because staying optimistic about the future can help reduce stress levels when dealing with serious illness.
Be Patient
In addition, to the standard challenges that come with filing any lawsuit, there are some additional hurdles you’ll have to overcome. One of these is simply how long it can take for your case to be settled.
Let’s say you file a lawsuit in 2019 and then go through discovery, gathering evidence in 2020. That means it could be 2021 before a judge or jury and 2022 hearing your case before deciding on whether or not your claim was successful.
Although this seems like a long time, keep in mind that 2017-2020 saw 57000 cases handled by the VA as part of its Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement program. They can only get them all done after some time.
Conclusion
Filing for the lawsuit does not have to be frightening if you are well prepared. Understanding that you do not have to go through this process alone is critical. You can get help from an attorney who can guide you through filing your claim and speaking with the defendant’s attorneys.
If you are a service member stationed at Camp Lejeune and were diagnosed with one of the diseases listed above, help is available. The Veterans Affairs (VA) has established programs to pay for medical care associated with these illnesses for qualifying veterans if they cannot afford it themselves. These programs include:
- VA Health Care Benefits Program – This program pays for medical care at military treatment facilities and community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC) operated by VA. The program also pays for some services provided by other healthcare providers if authorized by VA healthcare teams (HCT).
- Veterans Health Administration Home-Based Primary Care – This program offers primary care services in the patient’s home or residence rather than at a VA facility or CBOC if eligible patients meet specific criteria.
Based on the facts in this article, you should determine if a Camp Lejeune water pollution lawsuit is relevant to you. As always, we encourage you to seek legal advice on your case and contact an attorney immediately so they can advise you on how best to proceed with your claim.