What Colorado Residents Need to Know about Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Claims

Current Residency Does Not Impact Your Legal Right to File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim

Pursuing financial restitution through a Camp Lejeune water contamination claim is not limited to individuals currently residing in North Carolina. In fact, the recently-enacted Camp Lejeune Justice Act provides a pathway for individuals and families in Colorado and elsewhere to file a claim for compensatory damages related to health ailments caused by being exposed to the toxic water supply at the military base. The fact that you, or a loved one, previously resided (or were stationed) in North Carolina but now live in a different state is not a factor in assessing the viability of your Camp Lejeune water contamination claim.

Eligibility to File a Water Contamination Claim Under the CLJA

Military veterans, their loved ones, and civilian workers harmed after being exposed to the toxic water supply at Camp Lejeune may be eligible to file a claim under the CLJA if they meet the following prerequisites: 

• You, or your loved one, was stationed or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 
• You, or your loved one, was at the base for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987. 
• You, or your loved one, has suffered or is currently suffering from a serious health issue such as cancer or another ailment (more on this topic below).  

Regarding health issues and ailments caused by exposure to the toxic chemicals contained within the Camp Lejeune water supply, the CLJA developed a list of illnesses that are presumed to have been caused by exposure to the chemicals in the Camp Lejeune water supply, including  perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene. The list of presumptive conditions effectively means if you, or a loved one, was diagnosed with one of the following conditions, you will likely be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune toxic water claim:

• Adult leukemia
• Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
• Bladder cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease

In addition to the presumptive conditions listed above, individuals who develop other diseases and health ailments such as lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, laryngeal cancer, pancreatic cancer, rectal cancer, or scleroderma/systemic sclerosis could potentially be entitled to financial restitution for their harms and losses. 

Can I Use a Colorado Attorney to File a Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Claim?

If you are considering filing a Camp Lejeune toxic water claim and live in Colorado, you may be wondering whether it is acceptable to hire a lawyer in Colorado or if you need an attorney licensed in North Carolina. Retaining the services of a Colorado attorney to assist in filing a Camp Lejeune contaminated water claim is perfectly acceptable. The Colorado attorney you select can assist with compiling relevant records and filing your claim. Here are just a few Colorado attorneys and law firms offering their services to assist people with filing Camp Lejeune toxic water claims:

• Fuicelli & Lee
• Larson Larimer Schneider

There may be a need for the attorney to appear in court, which could lead a Colorado attorney to decide to utilize the services of a co-counsel based closed, or in, the State of North Carolina.
To gain a better understanding of your legal options and the claims process, contact an attorney to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation.
If you fill out the form on the sidebar, or call the number on this site, we will connect you with the intake team for a nationwide law firm, working on Camp Lejeune Water cases in all 50 states, but has a strong team in North Carolina.

Does It Matter If the Decedent Passed Away in Colorado? 

Where your loved one resided at the time of their passing would not, in and of itself, impact their eligibility to file a claim for financial restitution under the CLJA. As mentioned earlier, the issue of whether a claimant qualifies for compensation will depend on whether they were stationed or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, the duration of their stay at the military base was 30 days or longer, and they subsequently developed a presumptive condition (see above) or other serious health ailment that could be reasonably linked to exposure to the toxic water supply at Camp Lejeune. 

If the Decedent’s Estate was Closed, Does It Need to Be Re-Opened in Colorado? 

If your deceased loved one already had their estate administered prior to the passage of the CLJA, you may be wondering if the estate must be re-open or whether that needs to take place in Colorado. Every case and situation is different, so to get the best possible answer to these questions, consider contacting an attorney for a free consultation. Generally, there would not be a need to reopen your deceased loved one’s estate within the State of Colorado. Instead, the focus would be on getting a personal representative appointed by a probate court in North Carolina. This is because, in accordance with North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2, a personal representative of an estate is vested with the authority and legal standing to pursue the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. Once a personal representative is appointed by a probate court, they can proceed with filing a claim for benefits.

Forms of financial restitution that may be pursued through a Camp Lejeune contaminated water wrongful death claim in North Carolina includes: 

• Medical expenses
• Funeral expenses
• Pain and mental suffering
• The lost earnings of the decedent
• Damages for the loss of the decedent’s services and companionship.

If a settlement or other award is paid out to the personal representative, they would then be obligated to distribute the settlement proceeds to the decedent’s living heirs. 

Have Questions? Speak to a Knowledgeable Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Attorney

If you or a loved one reside in Colorado and were stationed at the Camp Lejeune military base in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987, you should explore your legal options. Depending on your specific circumstances, you may be able to pursue financial restitution for your harms and losses if a loved one suffered, or you are currently suffering, an adverse health condition caused by exposure to the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune. One of the best ways to get a proper assessment of your legal options is by speaking to an experienced lawyer. They can help determine whether you, or your deceased loved one, qualify for compensation. You can begin by researching to determine the best lawyers and law firms specializing in Camp Lejeune lawsuits and contact them right away. In most instances, lawyers handling these types of cases offer free, confidential case evaluations to prospective clients. 

Written by an attorney licensed in Virginia and North Carolina.