Polluted drinking water is not a big problem in the United States anymore. However, sometimes, cases of water contamination do emerge. One very high-profile case that’s worth noting is the Camp Lejeune disaster, which saw hundreds (and even thousands) of U.S. military personnel being exposed to water contaminated with toxic chemicals.
If you have been exposed to contaminated drinking water and it wasn’t your fault, then you could be eligible for compensation. The amount owed to you depends on the severity of the contamination and whether or not you were injured.
This post will explore this topic in more detail, telling you how you can get justice.
Case Research
The first thing to do if you discover you have been exposed to polluted drinking water is to do case research. You should be able to do this by searching the place where you consumed contaminated water, suffixed by ‘water contamination.’ Case research will help you to figure out whether or not anybody else was exposed to polluted water, like you. It will also help you to get an idea of how much compensation you could be owed. Victims of Camp Lejeune can easily view Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts online, as can the victims of many other contamination incidents. Again, the amount owed to you depends on the severity of the contamination, and the nature of your injuries (or your loved one’s injuries).
Confirming Contamination
You need to be able to prove that you were exposed to contaminated water. If you cannot prove contamination, how can you make a claim for compensation? In addition to being able to prove that you were exposed to contaminated water, you need to have some kind of letter from a doctor certifying that you are suffering injuries because of suspected contamination. Gathering all of this information can be stressful and very laborious but guarantees compensation.
Hiring Investigator
One of the most effective ways of proving that you were exposed to polluted water is to hire a private investigator. It is only necessary to hire an investigator if you are the first person making a claim against the person or company responsible for exposing you to polluted water since it will not have already been proven by anybody else. When hiring an investigator, check their reviews, interview them, and make sure that they have what it takes to perform the investigation on your behalf. Hiring an inexperienced investigator could jeopardize your case.
Independent Advice
It might also be worth visiting a physician and getting independent advice, i.e., ascertaining whether or not anything else could have been responsible for your injuries. Going back to medical notes, a medical note from a doctor certifying that you were exposed to contaminated water can be a highly effective way of winning compensation. However, it is good to go and see a number of different medical specialists, so you get a range of opinions. It could be that your injuries were not caused by contamination at all.
Asking Others
If you lived in a specific apartment building, on a military base, or shared property with other people, then you might also want to consider reaching out to them and asking them whether or not they are suffering from the symptoms of exposure to polluted water. If they are, then you can ask them if they want to get involved in your case with you. If you think the water you consumed was polluted but it came from the public water supply and was not specific to a building or site, then consider knocking on people’s doors and asking around.
Contacting A Lawyer
You won’t be able to get compensation unless you speak to a lawyer. There is absolutely no way you can tackle a case as large as a water pollution claim yourself, especially with no prior legal experience. When hiring a lawyer make sure that you find one who’s experienced in such claims. Take time to read their reviews and also ask about them locally, so you can get an idea of what their reputation is like in the area in which they are based. Try to find a lawyer that can offer their services to you on a contingency basis, so you do not have to pay until you have been awarded compensation.
Giving Account
At various stages in the claim process, you will be asked to give an account of what happened to you, and what life has been like post-exposure. It is essential that you are truthful when asked to give an account. Some people exaggerate their injuries or illness in order to get a higher amount of compensation, however doing this can get you into a lot of trouble if you are caught. It’s best, to be honest, so you do not get into trouble. Lying to get compensation can lead to you being arrested for fraud.
