Today, everyone is aware of the havoc created by the polluted waters at Camp Lejeune. For over 30 years, family members, military service members, and civilian workers have been exposed to toxic chemicals like tetrachloroethylene, benzene, vinyl chloride, and trichloroethylene present in the region’s water supply. These harmful chemicals caused health issues like infertility, Parkinson’s disease, and many kinds of cancer.
By now, there is much evidence that suggests military officials were aware of the polluted water. Despite that, water wells were functional until 1987. In the meantime, people located at the base used this contaminated water for drinking and bathing, which resulted in countless health issues.
Hence, it is natural for veterans to seek legal compensation for their suffering so that they can pay for their medical bills, loss of earnings, and other expenses. For this, the CLJA (Camp Lejeune Justice Act) was enforced. Victims need to submit their claims by August 10th, 2024. Innumerable veterans filed their complaints before the deadline, but there has been a delay in settling these claims.
This article will discuss probable reasons for settlement delays and whether veterans have any hope of getting compensated in the future.
Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Settlement Delays: The Probable Reasons
Bloomberg Law, in May 2023, highlighted a few reasons for this delay. The Navy doesn’t have ample cash and adequate staff to review compensation claims quickly. Jennifer Karnes, a Navy lawyer, shared that almost 500 law firms registered to represent Camp Lejeune victims. She mentioned that the tort claim department is working overtime to process the claims and needs to increase its staff.
Additionally, it is essential to come up with an online portal to expedite the claims. Congress still hasn’t allotted the money required to create and manage compensation programs for people harmed by the polluted waters in this region.
And that raises the most crucial question–where does it all leave the veterans? Even though it might sound harsh, they are back to square one. That is, waiting for their claims to get processed and hoping for the legal systems at work to pick up some pace.
According to the March 2024 Camp Lejeune lawsuit update, there is much analysis going on regarding the movement and distribution of the water sources. The legal systems are focused on recognizing the presence and frequency of harmful substances in the water supplies.
This lack of any proper direction from the Navy and the sluggish pace of the claims settlement process has annoyed several veterans. Since many of these veterans are senior citizens, they wonder whether they are going to receive their compensation within their lifetime. A few lawyers have shared that some of the clients they represent might not live by the time their payout comes through.
The Hope Brought by the Elective Option
It’s natural for veterans to feel hopeless and frustrated with settlement delays. But not all seems to have been lost. To address and resolve the rising claims to some extent, the government has come up with an ‘Elective Option’.
It is an alternative payout option that veterans can opt for their legal claims. The ‘Elective Option’ allows claimants to receive a payout amount that ranges between $100,000 and $550,000 based on the diagnosis. The procedure will also take into consideration the duration for which the veteran was exposed to the polluted waters.
The officials are hopeful that this new option might expedite the settlement process for thousands of veterans who filed lawsuits last year. The ‘Elective Option’ appears to be a crucial step to provide some relief to the eligible claimants affected by Camp Lejeune’s tainted water. It will create a channel for them to receive early and quick resolution of their complaints under the CLJA.
However, TorHoerman Law also states that claimants must seek the guidance of their respective lawyers in this matter. It could be that a conventional lawsuit might promise veterans a bigger payout compared to the elective option. But they also have to consider the waiting period at hand. A lawyer can assess the situation and help arrive at an informed decision.
In conclusion, the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has caused many veterans to suffer from life-threatening diseases like non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, kidney cancer, breast cancer, and other fatal ailments. It is natural for them to seek legal compensation. However, should they face settlement delays like most veterans, they can opt for the ‘Elective Option’ after discussing their compensation channels with an ace lawyer.