Water contamination is a serious concern for most communities around large water bodies. It results in serious health complications if you or your family drink contaminated water, so you must know the steps to take.
Filing a water contamination lawsuit is a practical approach to awarding its victims’ worthy compensation. A good example is the Camp Lejeune contamination lawsuit. It’d be wise to discuss your options under the Camp Lejeune Act with an experienced attorney to help increase your chances of securing your claim.
What’s a Water Contamination Lawsuit?
These are civil lawsuits filed by water contamination victims against the parties responsible, either individuals, government entities, or businesses. The complainant also claims damages for any injuries from using the contaminated water.
Let’s take the Camp Lejeune contamination lawsuit, for example. You can file a lawsuit if you get sick from consuming the contaminated water from the North Carolina Marine Corps base. It’s mainly because the government failed to alert the residents of the contaminated water, leading to serious health complications.
How To File a Water Contamination Lawsuit
If you plan to file a water contamination lawsuit, it will help you know what to expect from the process. It would be best to consider finding an attorney to walk you through the legalities for a seamless experience. Here are the five steps to filing a water contamination lawsuit:
Determine Eligibility
You must determine whether the claim can be filed by confirming eligibility. Every water contamination lawsuit has specific dates with supporting data that the water wasn’t safe. To become eligible, you must prove you were there for the specified period, were exposed to contaminated water, and got sick from the exposure.
Gather Evidence
Evidence collection is crucial in all legal proceedings. For water contamination lawsuits, you must provide evidence to prove you were there and was affected. You can show military records of yourself, your spouse, or your children, like the NAVMC118 and DD214. Medical records can also act as valuable proof of illness.
File an Administrative Claim
Now that your evidence is ready, it’s time to file a formal administrative claim, also known as “Form 95.” This form requires you to identify yourself, how you were exposed, the illnesses experienced, and any damages. The party at fault has around 180 days to accept or deny the claim.
File a Formal Complaint
You’ll also have to file a formal complaint in federal court before you receive compensation from a water compensation lawsuit. The complaint should clearly define how you got exposed, the illness, and any other damages from the toxic exposure.
It is from the complaint that the lawsuit sets its foundation. In the Camp Lejeune lawsuit, the Department of Justice is your representative, while the United States is the defendant. The government will respond immediately if you file the lawsuit and initiate direct interactions.
Define Your Price
Filing a water contamination lawsuit aims to get compensation for the damages felt. It means you’ll need to prove to the government how much you’re entitled to. The settlement for each case varies; it depends on the economic loss, evidence of exposure, and illnesses suffered. Having a lawyer will make it easier to negotiate your claim and guarantee satisfactory results.
What Documents Do I Need to File a Water Contamination Lawsuit
You must provide several documents to prove your eligibility for the contamination lawsuit. They include military records showing you were exposed to toxins, especially if you worked or lived there for over 30 days. You’ll also need to provide medical records to help prove your health conditions and help with claim valuation.
All victims of water contamination must understand the importance of filing a lawsuit. It compensates them for their losses and ensures the responsible parties feel the impact of their actions.
