
Loss Of Consortium May Increase The Amount Of A Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claim
Camp Lejeune Justice Act lawyers can help arrive at a dollar figure to ask for this often-overlooked category of damages
Monday, April 17, 2023 - Depending on the extent and severity of the injury, or illness brought on by consuming or being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, legal settlements for Camp Lejeune Justice Act claims could exceed $1 million each. The federal government has set aside an estimated $6.7 billion to pay the victims and the surviving family members. That is not to guarantee that amount, however, veterans, civilian employees, and others who spent significant time at Camp Lejeune may sue the Federal Government for compensation for Camp Lejeune's harmful water exposure. Plaintiffs may look to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Other damages may include the loss of consortium, a term that may not be familiar to non-lawyers. Loss of consortium is the term used to describe the loss of affection, support, and companionship that the spouse or other family member has gone through as a result of the victim's wounds or illness. According to Forbes.com, " Loss of consortium is a type of personal injury claim. If your spouse, partner, or other close family member has been injured or killed due to negligence or intentional wrongdoing, you may be able to pursue a claim for loss of consortium." Thousands of children have been left without the benefit of having a healthy mother or father to support them financially and also without the benefit of life guidance from a parent because of dying from Camp Lejeune water cancer. Surviving children of parents who died from Camp Lejeune water cancer may sue, for example, for the cost of a four-year college education that would have been provided had the parents survived. Other factors to be taken into consideration when filing a claim for loss of consortium include "the deprivation of benefits that a familial or intimate relationship offers. This can include loss of companionship, affection, love, comfort, and sexual intimacy," Forbes wrote.
The Camp Lejeune water contamination episode, which occurred between 1953 and 1987 at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, is a serious environmental health concern that had an impact on thousands of residents and employees. The contaminated water has been connected to a number of diseases, such as leukemia, lymphoma, bladder, kidney, and breast cancer. Birth defects and developmental abnormalities, like spina bifida, cleft palate, and intellectual disabilities, have been linked to an increased risk of these conditions due to contaminated water. Multiple neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, ALS, and multiple sclerosis, have been connected to the hazardous chemicals discovered in the water at Camp Lejeune. Being exposed to contaminated water has been linked to a higher chance of developing autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma. The water's harmful compounds can harm the liver and kidneys, which can result in liver and kidney disease. Last but not least, Camp Lejeune water contamination has been found to cause difficulty breathing including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can result from exposure to contaminated water.