Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Lawyer Houston

Abraham Watkins has served the state of Texas for over 70 years, making us one of the longest-serving law firms in the state. Our experience and resources mean that we are uniquely prepared to handle complex cases such as those involving the U.S government.

Contact us today at 713-535-9319 for a free consultation with a Camp Lejeune lawsuit lawyer in Houston.

How Was Water Contaminated at Camp Lejeune?

The water at Camp LeJeune base was contaminated by hazardous chemicals, volatile organic compounds, oil, fuel, and other dangerous toxins, including Trichloroethylene, Tetrachloroethylene, Benzene, Vinyl chloride, and Trans-12 dichloroethylene. Scientific and medical evidence has linked these chemicals to an increased risk of serious health conditions.

According to experts, the water was contaminated by two of the eight water treatment facilities that supplied water to Camp Lejeune. The water treatment plants responsible for contaminating the water were Hadnot Point and Tawawa Terrace.

The water at the Hadnot Point treatment plant was primarily contaminated by TCE (trichloroethylene). The contamination came from multiple sources, including industrial area spills, leaking underground storage tanks, and waste disposal sites.

The levels of TCE were 280 times higher than those currently considered safe in the Hadnot Point water treatment plant. Prolonged exposure to TCE has been associated with illnesses such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, kidney cancer, and liver cancer.

Water from Tarawa Terrace was primarily contaminated by PCE (perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene). The source was the waste disposal practices at an off-base dry cleaning firm called ABC One-Hour Cleaners.

PCE was found to be 43 times higher than what is now considered safe in the water supplied to Tarawa Terrace family housing units. Exposure to PCE has been associated with illnesses such as bladder cancer, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Health Conditions Associated With Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune

If you were at Camp Lejeune between 1957 and 1987, then you would have been drinking, bathing, and using contaminated tap water every day. Years later, you may now be struggling with various health conditions.

Health issues are common as people age, so how can you know if your health condition was caused by contaminated water at Camp LeJeune?

The nature of your health condition may be the biggest clue.

Toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune has been associated with:

• Birth defects and miscarriage.
• Cancers include (but are not limited to) breast cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, prostate cancer, rectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer, and adult leukemia.
• Aplastic anemia.
• Spina bifida.
• Multiple myeloma.
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
• Parkinson’s disease.
• Cardiac defects.
• Scleroderma.
• Multiple myeloma.
• Kidney disease.
• Neurobehavioral Effects.
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
• Lymphomas.
• Lupus.
• Other serious medical conditions.

Who Can File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

The U.S. Senate recently passed the Honoring Our PACT Act, which includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, to address the preventable health complications that veterans are suffering due to exposure to toxic substances.

Before the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, veterans and their families who suffered deformation, serious illness, and loss of loved ones had no legal recourse to secure compensation, although their suffering is a result of negligent storage of toxic chemicals near the base.

This new law means that anyone harmed or the loved ones of those harmed due to contaminated water while working or living at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, may be able to claim compensation outside of Veterans Affairs (VA).

This includes:

• Guardsmen.
• Military service members.
• Civilian workers.
• Family members who also lived at Camp Lejeune.
• Family members who have suffered due to a loved one’s health issues that resulted from contaminated water at Camp LeJeune.

The federal government is also unable to assert immunity in response to such a lawsuit and overrides a North Carolina statute that prevents tort claims from being made after ten years has passed. This means that those who may have been unable to claim compensation before may now be able to.

If you are unsure whether or not you qualify, then you should contact Abraham Watkins for a free consultation so that we can assess your case and determine whether we believe you have a valid claim.

Justice For Military Service Members

Marines that were exposed to these harmful chemicals while on active duty may be able to claim VA disability benefits. This provides direct payments to veterans whose medical condition is a product of being on active duty.

Since the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, veterans may now also claim compensation through a lawsuit. In fact, even if you are already receiving medical benefits or other benefits from V.A. for injuries and/or illnesses sustained due to exposure to Camp Lejeune water, you could still qualify for filing a claim.

Our lawyers can help veterans and their families establish the link between their medical condition and contaminated water, even if they have been denied benefits in the past. We will do everything possible to help you recover damages that will cover your medical expenses and lost wages and compensate you for your pain and suffering, whether that involves seeking benefits, filing a lawsuit, or a combination of the two.

Justice for the Families of Camp Lejeune Marines

Exposure to harmful chemicals at a military base is usually associated with veterans. However, families of Marines who lived at Camp Lejeune were also exposed to these substances. That means that spouses and children of veterans are now suffering from serious illnesses but are unable to seek VA benefits.

Federal courts have recognized that families of Marines based at Camp Lejeune have also suffered. They have therefore allowed victims to join their individual lawsuits together into what is known as a mass tort.

In accordance with the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 United States Code § 2671-2680, people seeking compensation can join their cases together into a single lawsuit if there is a common defendant and similar facts. The courts have already agreed that the victims of hazardous chemicals at Camp Lejeune meet these criteria, and a class action lawsuit is already underway. If you or someone you loved suffered illness from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, then now is the time to act.

A Camp Lejeune lawsuit lawyer from Abraham Watkins can determine whether you are eligible to join this ongoing lawsuit and fight to claim the compensation you deserve.

What Are The Benefits of Mass Tort Action?

Mass tort action allows victims to come together to file a lawsuit, the strength in numbers can increase the chances of success, especially in cases that involve a powerful defendant such as a chemical company.

Mass tort action also saves time and money in litigation; representing attorneys can share evidence and findings to ensure a strong case. When people come together in this way, it can lead to a bigger win for everyone.

Proving Harm was Caused by Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune

Many of the illnesses associated with contaminated water, such as cancers and Parkinsons’ disease, can also happen for a host of other reasons, including age-related decline. To successfully claim the compensation, you will need to prove that your illness or the illness of your loved one resulted from contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

This is one area where your Houston Camp Lejeune lawsuit attorney will prove invaluable. Your attorney will collect medical records dating as far back as possible. They will also determine how much time you spent at the base; generally, the longer you were there, the easier your case will be to prove.

An experienced personal injury lawyer, such as those found at Abraham Watkins, will have access to a network of medical experts who will review your case and help establish whether water contamination caused your sickness.

How Much Can I Expect to Receive From a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

Every case is unique, and how much you receive in compensation could depend on factors such as the severity of your illness and the quality of your representation. It is important that you have representation from a personal injury attorney who is committed to securing compensation for all of the damages relating to how the toxic water at Camp Lejeune negatively impacted your life.

Your Camp Lejeune lawsuit attorney will gather evidence and medical records to ensure that you have a strong case for compensation. Your damages may include:

Medical Bills Past and Future

In a successful Camp Lejeune claim, you could be compensated for all of your past medical bills and the estimated costs of future treatment. Medical expenses should also be covered, such as medication, physiotherapy, and more.

Lost Wages

If you have lost wages due to a preventable illness, then this should be considered in your settlement, as well as the loss of future earning potential.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering damages are designed to compensate victims for their emotional suffering and loss of enjoyment in life as a result of their illness. For example, if your illness prevents you from participating in a hobby you once enjoyed, then this should be compensated for.

Pain and suffering damages can be highly contentious and require the guidance of a skilled personal injury attorney who can fight for a just settlement.

Wrongful Death

If you have lost a loved one because of their exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, then you may be able to claim compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit. If successful, you could claim compensation for both your economic losses, such as medical bills and funeral expenses, and non-economic losses for your loss of companionship.

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit FAQ

Can I File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit on Behalf of a Loved One?

If your loved one cannot represent themself due to their illness, or your loved one has deceased, then you may be able to claim compensation on their behalf. In order to be eligible, your loved one must be a spouse or family member.

How Much Will Representation in a Houston Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Cost Me?

We believe that all victims deserve access to high-quality legal representation, which is why we work on a no-win no-fee basis. That means that after a free consultation, we will decide if we think you have a valid claim. If you do, we will offer our services, and we will take a percentage of your settlement if it succeeds. If it is not successful, then we will not be paid anything.

How Long Will it Take to Secure Compensation?

It is difficult to say how long it will take to secure compensation in a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. However, some experts predict that it could be up to two years before victims receive settlements.

How Much Time do I Have to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act means that anyone exposed to toxic chemicals at Camp Lejeune who has suffered an illness, as a result, should currently be eligible to file a claim, regardless of how much time has passed since exposure.

However, there is a statute of limitation of two years from the date the Camp Lejeune Justice act was signed, which means no more claims will be accepted after August 10, 2024.

However, we recommend that you contact an attorney as soon as possible to take advantage of the attention that these cases are currently receiving. Every voice counts, and the added pressure could help all victims to achieve the justice they deserve.

Contact Abraham Watkins for a Free Consultation Today

Camp Lejeune’s water supply was contaminated by various sources, and it is now recognized that these contaminants have caused a host of preventable illnesses. As a result, anyone living at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 for more than 30 days who are now suffering a serious illness as a result of water contamination may now be owed compensation.

A Houston Camp Lejeune lawyer at Abraham Watkins will investigate your case and determine whether you may be owed compensation. This could involve benefits through the VA’s disability benefits or joining a mass tort with other people suffering from similar ailments. We will explore your options and determine how to secure the best possible outcome in your case.

These lawsuits require an in-depth knowledge of both the law and medical issues, as well as experience representing victims in Federal Court. At Abraham Watkins, we are uniquely prepared to handle your case, having served personal injury victims in the state of Texas for over 70 years.

When you have representation from one of our attorneys, you send a message that you will not accept less than what you deserve. We have a long history of case victories to draw upon and will build a robust strategy based on many years of experience.

Our law firm keeps its phone lines open 24/7, so give us a call today and arrange a free consultation with a Camp Lejeune lawsuit lawyer in Houston at 713-535-9319.