According to the WHO, only 2.2 billion people currently have access to clean drinking water. Moreover, by 2025, half of humanity will reside in water-stressed regions. Water contamination has worsened the situation further. Many people want to file a contaminated water lawsuit but do not know how to proceed. It is a complicated process, and no one can help you understand it better than an attorney. An attorney can help you claim compensation for filing your contaminated water lawsuit from the very beginning.
What Is a Contaminated Water Lawsuit?
“Contaminated Water Lawsuit” refers to a legal action that a resident of your community can file if the water supply has been contaminated. A lawsuit is brought against a person or organization who made or permitted the contamination and allegedly resulted in damages.
The purpose of filing this type of lawsuit is to claim compensation for injuries arising out of drinking contaminated water. The injuries may include physical damage such as cancer, emotional stress, and mental anguish resulting from consuming poisoned tap water for years.
One such example is that of the Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Lawsuit. Helping individuals in need has proven to be a significant accomplishment of this lawsuit. Many individuals at Camp Lejeune are exposed to hazardous compounds in the water. As a result, numerous health risks, such as malignant illnesses like cancer and other dangerous conditions, have caused much damage to the victim and incurred monetary losses.
The primary causes behind these are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which also include degreasers, dry cleaning solvents, and almost 70 other dangerous substances. In addition, it led to the formation of the Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Lawsuit, which has since demonstrated its value in assisting individuals in obtaining justice.
According to Reuters, the U.S. Navy reports that almost 5,000 administrative claims have been made since the bill was signed on Aug 10 by President Joe Biden.
Preparation of Documents Required
If you have been harmed by contaminated water and want to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties, then your best bet is to seek the help of an attorney. An attorney can help prepare all the documents required for filing the case, including:
- The complaint
- The summons
- The answer
- Counterclaims
- Cross-claims
Filing the Lawsuit in the Court
Filing a contaminated water lawsuit is a complex process. First, it requires knowing the proper procedures, depending on your jurisdiction and state. An attorney can help guide you through this process and ensure everything is done correctly and following local laws.
Here are some things an attorney will do to help you file the lawsuit:
- Know all the rules and regulations for filing cases in your jurisdiction.
- Help to file paperwork with the appropriate court clerk or judge’s office and other relevant government agencies, such as public health departments.
- Assist with preparing necessary forms for filing in court, e.g., summonses.
- Assist in getting ready for trial if necessary by collecting evidence from witnesses, reviewing medical records/exams, interviewing expert witnesses, etc.
Prepare Summons About the Cause of Action
Around 80% of infections and more than one-third of fatalities in developing nations are attributed to drinking water that has been contaminated. If you file a lawsuit for contaminated water, an attorney can help prepare the summons. A summons is a legal document that informs the defendant about the lawsuit and gives them a chance to respond. It’s also used in civil cases involving private disputes between two people or companies. It’s used in criminal cases as well. When you get served with a summon and someone has filed an official complaint against you. Now it’s time for you to respond.
Summonses are usually mailed out by certified mail, so they can’t be missed by accident. Once they receive your paperwork, defendants have 20 days from when they served them notice of the suit until their deadline. It is usually called “pleading” that comes up. They need this time because attorneys need all of their facts before deciding the best way forward with their defense strategies.
Researching and Investigating the Case
If you are considering filing a lawsuit over contaminated water, there are some things that your attorney can help with. First, they will ensure that your case’s evidence is strong. It means gathering good information about what happened and how it happened.
Next, your attorney will help you determine if other people have been harmed by contaminated water in their area. They might also look for more information about why the contamination occurred and what could be done to prevent it from happening again. It would be good evidence for your case if someone else had already filed a lawsuit against the company or government agency. It also proves that it harmed others.
Validating the Proofs
In addition to helping you gather the evidence, a personal injury attorney can help you verify it. The attorney will review your case and ensure everything is in order. They will look for potential problems concerning gathering the proof. It includes whether an expert witness’s testimony isn’t credible enough or if there are other reasons why a judge would dismiss your case. If there are issues with the proof, an attorney can work with you and your witnesses. It may ensure that these problems get resolved to move forward with the lawsuit as soon as possible.
Negotiation with the Other Side
You can negotiate with the other side to reach an acceptable settlement for both parties. To negotiate properly, you must know what you want out of the case. It would help if you also had an idea of your legal rights.
It’s best to hire a personal injury attorney specializing in contaminated water contamination cases before negotiating with the opposing party. Your attorney can help you understand your case’s strengths and weaknesses to make informed decisions while discussing compensation with them. The attorney may also be able to provide advice on how much money they should seek as part of any settlement agreement. It can help save time spent in negotiations by establishing realistic expectations from the beginning.
Compensation Amount
A contaminated water lawsuit is essential for you to seek compensation for any harm you’ve suffered. For example, you may be entitled to money for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering. It may also include loss of quality of life or even wrongful death if someone dies from drinking contaminated water.
However, many factors can affect how much compensation you get from a contaminated water lawsuit. A lawyer with experience in this area can help determine the amount of payment appropriate for your case. They will also help ensure that the defendant pays everything they owe under the law before going after money from other sources. These may include insurance policies or government programs.
Attorney Will Help You to Build a Strong Case from the Very Beginning
When you hire an attorney, your attorney will work with you to make a strong case for your rights and compensation. The attorney will help you get compensation for your claim. As soon as you retain an experienced professional, they begin work on building up your case as well as filing it with the court to get all of the evidence that they need. In addition, it helps them to prove it before they can begin negotiating with insurance companies and other parties involved with contaminated water claims.
