In May 2023, Port City Daily reported that North Carolina senators had urgently appealed to the U.S. government to address the legal disputes affecting nearly 3.5 million individuals impacted by the Camp Lejeune contaminated water. The legislators have been emphasizing the “imperative” accountability of the Navy to ensure that justice is served to deserving individuals.
In a previous Port City Daily report, it was revealed that about 25% of 5,792 toxicity claims were filed between January 2011 and June 2019, and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs sanctioned this information. Currently, the administration must accept every qualified candidate without burdening them with evidence of exposure-linked suffering.
However, the situation has been grim for several veterans who received letters of denial and medical coverage refusals. They were informed that they lacked the required evidence to connect their ailments with the toxic exposure they experienced while working at Camp Lejeune.
Recently, the senators highlighted that more than 45,000 claims have been filed, yet the Navy has not taken the necessary steps to resolve them. Some of the claimants are senior citizens suffering from excruciating health effects, and they might pass away without obtaining any resolution. Therefore, the situation demands quick action to ensure that the veterans receive coverage for the damages they have encountered.
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Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Scams on the Rise
As if the delays in the Camp Lejeune lawsuit weren’t enough, currently, there are settlement scams that have been confusing and tricking veterans who fell for them. In July 2023, Public Radio East reported on a Kentucky veteran, Brian Amburgey, who, after suffering because of the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is currently alerting other veterans to be careful of social media claims concerning Camp Lejeune settlement amounts.
Brian suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema and is affected by lung cancer. He is now warning all his fellow veterans about the scams regarding the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. He mentioned an ad that he saw on Facebook, which used his image and other details, stating that he received a settlement amount of $350,000. Sadly, he didn’t even receive $0.35.
Later on, Brian’s lawyer had to issue a “cease-and-desist” order to remove the ad. Speaking on the issue of claims settlement, he also shared his disappointment concerning the process at work. He shared that the way the system is treating this issue reminds him of Vietnam Veterans and the Agent Orange claims, where many got denied to date.
He further insisted that contrary to the data making rounds on social media, there isn’t any amount that has been set aside for the Camp Lejeune veterans. It means that there is no $21-billion settlement that veterans can expect the Department of Justice to pay.
Brian stated that any person affected by the contaminated waters of Camp Lejeune should connect with a lawyer to file a legal complaint. They can also request a toxic-free screening to be done at the VA to determine the outcome of water contamination.
He says that once a veteran’s claim is filed with the Department of Navy, there are 6 months to provide an answer whether it got denied or accepted. So far, only 10 claims have been accepted, and others haven’t received a response.
Filing a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit for Contaminated Water Exposure
The veterans affected by the tainted waters at Camp Lejeune have suffered from multiple ailments, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, Hodgkin Lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and many more. Falling for social media scams in search of compensation or getting discouraged by the delay in settling the cases is not a wise way to approach it.
Ideally, veterans affected by the contaminated Camp Lejeune water should undergo medical testing and gather medical proof of their ailment. Once that is done, it’s necessary to work with a lawyer and proceed with a legal complaint.
According to TorHoerman Law, the settlement amount that individuals can expect will vary. It could be anything between $10,000 and $500,000 for each claim. However, a lot depends on the kind of injuries the veterans have faced, the severity of the ailment, the diagnosis, the exact amount of time they have spent at the base, and various other crucial details.
Conclusion
Camp Lejeune lawsuits are facing ongoing challenges, affecting the lives of countless veterans who have suffered from the consequences of tainted waters. The urgency of the situation demands careful consideration and a thoughtful approach to finding a legal solution.
As veterans tackle the intricate challenges of these lawsuits, it becomes necessary for them to remain vigilant against social media scams and misleading offers of compensation. Medical testing and gathering substantial evidence to support their claims is essential. Collaborating with experienced lawyers, they can pursue a legal complaint that holds the potential to secure the justice and rightful compensation they deserve.
