Military members and their families are often faced with difficult legal decisions. Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps Base in North Carolina, was recently hit with the largest environmental disaster in its history when toxic water was discovered in wells throughout the base.
Following the discovery, numerous former members of the military have filed lawsuits against the government seeking compensation for personal injury and property damage. This negligence of workplace safe practices by the U.S. government is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
If you or a family member were stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and developed health problems after exposure to contaminated water, you may be entitled to compensation. According to court documents, hundreds to thousands of people may have developed cancer or other health problems as a result of their exposure.
To discuss the legal issues involved with your case, you should hire an attorney with experience in handling military water contamination cases.
Attorneys like Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC have extensive experience handling these cases and helping families harmed by military base water contamination. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC is currently accepting clients from across the country who have sustained injuries at Camp Lejeune as a result of exposure to contaminated water. Here are tips for hiring an attorney for military base water contamination.
Determine what type of attorney you need for your case
Some attorneys specialize in specific areas of law, such as medical malpractice or workplace injury cases. If your case is more complex, consider hiring a personal injury attorney who has experience representing clients in similar cases. Choose an attorney you feel comfortable working with and who has the experience necessary to handle complex legal matters.
Interview several attorneys before choosing one to represent you in your case
Find out how long the attorney has been practicing law and what types of cases they specialize in. Ask for a list of references so you can speak with past clients about their experience with the attorney. Visit the site of the American Bar Association to find an attorney in your area.
Ask if the attorney has handled cases of military base water contamination in the past. Call your state bar association to find out if the attorney has any disciplinary actions against them. A reputable attorney will not hesitate to provide you with this information.
Determine which fee structure is best for you
Most attorneys charge by the hour, but some may accept a flat fee for certain services. For cases like Camp Lejeune that involve complex issues and take an extended time to resolve, it may be more cost-effective to hire an attorney with a contingency fee agreement.
Under this arrangement, the attorney doesn’t charge you any upfront fees to handle your case and only collects a fee once your case is resolved successfully. Ask the prospective attorney about the billing practices in their office and how payments are handled. Make sure the fee structure fits within your budget.
Carefully review the terms of your agreement with your attorney before signing it
Make sure you understand all of the terms of the agreement before signing it. Read through the contract carefully to be sure you understand what is expected of you and what you are owed. If you have any questions about the terms of the agreement, ask the lawyer to explain them to you before you agree to the terms. If any of the terms are unclear, don’t be afraid to negotiate for changes to a more favorable agreement to your interests.
Be cautious of firms that charge a fee prior to a signed agreement
There are many legal firms that will charge a fee to provide you with an initial review of your case even if you decide not to hire them to handle your case. Be wary of this practice as it could be a sign of a scam. Legitimate law firms that practice personal injury law don’t usually charge prospective clients to review their cases.
Instead, they will discuss your case with you and offer their advice on the best way to proceed. Once you decide that the firm is a good fit for you, they will then offer you an agreement to sign that describes their services and fees in detail.
Conclusion
Before you sign a contract with an attorney to represent you in your lawsuit, you should take the time to do some research to determine whether the attorney is right for you. Many legislative acts are being reviewed regarding Camp Lejeune claims.
These legislative acts may affect your ability to recover damages related to your exposure at Camp Lejeune. You should speak with an experienced attorney to learn more about the effects of recent legislative changes on your claim.