The U.S. federal court recently came to a historic decision in the Camp Lejeune water contamination case. This decision is significant for many reasons, as it holds important lessons for future victims of government-related negligence and fraud.
In this post, we’ll explain why the Camp Lejeune case is so important and share what you need to know about it moving forward.
What Was the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Case?
The Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Case was a landmark lawsuit filed against the government in 2013. According to the Lawsuit Information Center, the CBO Cost Estimate estimated a USD 6.1 billion compensation payout to the victims through 2031.
The value of an individual case on this estimate range depends on several factors like injury type and length of exposure. A successful Camp Lejeune case filed will have a general settlement payout range of USD 200,000 to USD 2,000,000.
This case set an important precedent for future environmental litigation. It demonstrated that corporations could be held accountable for their actions even when they act with full knowledge of their wrongdoing and disregard public safety standards.
The settlement also established new standards for assessing harm from toxic chemicals by compensating those who were affected by this contamination on the base ground.
Who Was Affected by the Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune?
The number of people affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune is staggering. According to data from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), nearly 1 million people were exposed between 1957 and 1987, when regulations regarding exposure limits were not as strict as they are today. ATSDR has been assessing the health risks from the hazardous substances in Camp Lejeune’s drinking water since the late 1980s.
The severity of health problems caused by this exposure varies widely. Some veterans have died, while others have been diagnosed with cancer or liver damage. Some servicemen had children with birth defects, while others did not experience any symptoms at all.
However, one thing is certain, the effects of being exposed to toxic chemicals like benzene and trichloroethylene are long-lasting and potentially devastating for those who served at Camp Lejeune during those years.
How Did the Federal Government Become Involved in This Case?
The federal government became involved in this case because of its size and scope. The Camp Lejeune lawsuit was filed on behalf of all of the people who had been exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, which includes about one million veterans and family members. Because it was such a large number of people, it was deemed eligible for class action status under federal law.
Additionally, because it was a military base, there were some concerns that individual states would have difficulty handling this type of case on their own due to jurisdictional issues (i.e., who has jurisdiction over what).
Finally, this case has implications for national security because it involves contaminated drinking water at one of our nation’s most important military bases, Camp Lejeune, along North Carolina’s Atlantic coast.
Why Is This Case Important for America Today?
This case is significant for many reasons. First, it shows that the government can be held accountable for its actions, even when those actions have been carried out over several decades.
Many people have long suspected that the government would never take responsibility for the damage caused by Camp Lejeune’s water contamination, and they were right. However, this case proves that if enough pressure is applied to them (in this case, through legal action), then they will change their position and admit fault.
This is an important milestone in American legal history because it sets an example for other similar cases. People who have been affected by environmental disasters or crimes committed by large corporations know they now have more power than ever before when seeking justice against those responsible.
This Case Is a Major Accomplishment for Those Who Were Affected
This case is a significant accomplishment for those who were affected by these terrible decisions made by their government. The government failed to protect the people they were supposed to be protecting, which is not only inexcusable but also unacceptable.
According to AboutLawsuits.com, thousands of Camp Lejeune lawsuits will likely be filed in February 2023. The new wave of lawsuits is a result of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, which allows affected parties to pursue settlements for injuries caused by contamination on the base between 1953 and 1987. The Camp Lejeune lawsuit filing deadline expires in August 2024.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped to explain why the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Case is so important in American legal history. This case is not only a victory for those affected by these terrible decisions made by their government but also a major accomplishment in bringing justice to all Americans who have experienced similar injustices in their lives.
The next time you hear about a new lawsuit being filed against the federal government or any other organization that may have wronged you personally, remember how far we’ve come since 1980 in obtaining compensation through litigation.
