If you previously served, lived, or worked in Jacksonville, NC, on Camp Lejeune, then you likely haven’t missed hearing commercials on the radio, television, or internet asking for those who’ve been affected by health issues attributable to water contamination issues on the U.S. Marine Base to contact them for help.
Frost Law Firm, PC is one of those legal offices that wants you to contact them, and that’s hoping that you’ll do so quickly. Why is that? Because the deadline to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination claim is fast approaching, and we want to make sure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to if you’ve fallen ill after you’ve spent time serving, residing, or employed as a civilian there.
There Are Around Six Months Left To File a Claim
Put quite simply, the filing deadline for Camp Lejeune water contamination claims is August 10, 2024. This means that, as of the publication of this article, potential claimants have just over six months to file a claim.
Why Is the Window To File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Case So Short?
All of these plaintiffs’ cases were previously consolidated under the sole jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This means that the typical statute of limitations for filing federal torts claims also applies in this situation. Per the U.S. Department of Justice Journal of Federal Law and Practice, the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), codified as 28 U.S.C. § 2401(b), states that such claims must be presented to the appropriate federal agency in writing two years “after such claim accrues” or in specific other scenarios.
Since the first “causes of action” pursuant to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act didn’t first get filed until August 10, 2022, once that legislation was signed into law, that 2-year window to file claims began then. Thus, the current deadline of August 10, 2024, just a little more than six months away, applies to these claims.
Does That Filing Deadline Apply to Everyone Affected?
The upcoming August 10 deadline applies to all potential claimants, including veterans and civilians, who may be either family members of service members (i.e., spouses or children) or employees. The key here is that any potential claimants must be able to show proof they lived or worked on this NC marine base for at least 30 consecutive days between August 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987.
However, there is a special statute of limitations that applies to denied claims, which is 180 days from the date you receive notice of the same. Your claim would be dismissed if you didn’t submit the appeal.
What Happens if You Don’t File a Claim by August 10th?
The FTCA referenced above states that claimants are “forever barred” from taking legal action, such as filing a Camp Lejeune water contamination claim, if they allow the established 2-year statute of limitations, which runs out for everyone in a few months, to lapse.
What Rights Do Potential Claimants Have if the Onset of Their Illness Occurs After the August Deadline?
If you received your water contamination-related diagnosis after August 10, 2022, there is a chance you may be eligible to submit your claim after the August 10, 2024, deadline. You’ll want to contact an attorney familiar with the Camp Lejeune claims process to learn more about your rights in this instance.
Getting Help in Filing a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim
Filing a CJLA claim can be quite involved. This is especially the case since you’ll need to secure certain documentation providing your residence or employment on the base for the designated period. You’ll also need to source medical records showing your diagnosis of one of the conditions associated with the Camp Lejeune water contamination. Compiling this information can be time-consuming and stressful, which may not be ideal for you to deal with if you’re in poor health.
Our legal team has a long track record of working with veterans and their families, as well as civilian workers, on these water contamination cases and many others, and wants to help you, too.
Contact our law firm today for support in filing a notice of tort claim, which is necessary before you can take any further legal action in your case, on the path to recovering compensation for what you’ve endured. Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay for your initial consultation with your legal representative or our work on your case unless we recover a settlement for you.
