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Medical Malpractice
Catastrophic Injury
Trucking Accidents
Defective Products
Nursing Home Abuse
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
From 1953 to 1987, individuals residing or laboring at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, faced exposure to tainted water, resulting in fatalities, illnesses, and life-altering health issues. Even more troubling, high-ranking military officials were aware of these hazards and kept information about the issue hidden. The time has come for justice—for the courageous men and women who dedicated their service to our nation.
Lejeune Victims and Survivors®
J. Edward Bell has been at the forefront of the fight from the very beginning as a prominent advocate for the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Working alongside distinguished attorneys and victims, Ed was instrumental in the passing of the legislation that was approved by Congress in 2022 and subsequently signed into law. The legislation granted those affected by the toxic water the ability to file claims against the government.
If you suspect that you may have been exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and have subsequently received a diagnosis of bladder cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, or any other health condition associated with this unfortunate event, we strongly urge you to reach out to us.
Toxic Hair Relaxers
Hair relaxer products from well-known cosmetic brands have recently been discovered to contain dangerous endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Consistent exposure to these harmful substances may lead to severe health concerns. If you've utilized such chemical hair relaxer products and subsequently experienced uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, or ovarian cancer, we urge you to get in touch with our office without delay.
AFFF
Aqueous Film-Forming Foam, often referred to as AFFF, serves as a suppressant employed to combat flammable liquid fires, specifically Class B fires. This foam comprises profoundly hazardous substances. Prominent health organizations have highlighted potential connections between specific PFAS chemicals and cancer among firefighters. At Bell Legal Group, we are committed to holding manufacturers accountable for the damage inflicted by their products.
South Carolina Paraquat Attorneys
Bell Legal Group is holding manufacturers responsible for the harm caused by their products. Paraquat, also known as paraquat-dichloride, is a commercial strength herbicide used for weed and grass control. Research has identified that long-term exposure to paraquat, even at low levels, can increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Behind Every Complex Case Lies the Simple Truth
When it comes to navigating the intricacies of complex litigation, few possess a deeper understanding than our founder, Ed Bell. He dedicated over 15 years to advocating for the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, collaborating with esteemed attorneys and victims to transform it into the law of the land.
Effectively advocating for you and securing the highest compensation you deserve under the law necessitates grasping the complete truth behind your injuries. We achieve this through our distinctive Science and Research Center. This specialized facility features a testing lab, enabling us to delve deep into all aspects of your case. We can accurately reconstruct accidents or crime scenes to discern the true sequence of events. This independent analysis provides our South Carolina and North Carolina attorneys with the tools to vividly illustrate our theories and craft compelling visual aids to enhance your case.
Paraquat-Induced Parkinson’s Disease and the Agricultural Industry: The Stages From Discovery to Disability
Parkinson’s disease and the agricultural industry will be forever linked. Herbicides containing paraquat dichloride are some of the most widely…
Study Confirms Skin as an Exposure Pathway for PFAS in Firefighting Foam
A new study on PFAS, the toxic compound in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), confirmed that dermal absorption is a viable…
Medical Malpractice vs. Personal Injury: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the complexities of medical malpractice versus personal injury cases can be challenging. Many types of lawsuits, including those for…
Physician Discipline Is Underreported in South Carolina
The South Carolina Medical Board doesn’t publicly release physicians’ disciplinary actions, leaving patients in the dark about problematic doctors. There…
South Carolina Patient Rights for Medical Care: Protection From Errors & Malpractice
Understanding your patient rights when seeking medical care in South Carolina helps you stay prepared to protect yourself from below-standard…
What Science Says About Paraquat-Based Weed Killers and Parkinson’s Disease
Manufacturers hid scientific studies that connected the use of weed and grass killers containing paraquat dichloride to the risk of…
How To Join the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
There’s still time for hair relaxer users diagnosed with certain cancers to file a lawsuit against the manufacturers of certain…
Common Causes of South Carolina Truck Accidents
Since more than 20,000 trucking companies call South Carolina home, all drivers are at risk of being in an accident…
When Failure To Treat Becomes Malpractice in South Carolina
You expect doctors to treat ailments, but what happens if they don’t, and when does a physician’s failure to treat…
Proving Medical Malpractice in South Carolina
Anyone pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit in South Carolina should seek legal help to bring their case and meet evidentiary…
A Guide to Nursing Malpractice In South Carolina
Nursing malpractice may seem limited in South Carolina compared to physician or surgical errors, but these practitioners’ negligence can lead…
Parkinson’s Advocates Urge Congress To Ban Paraquat
A Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill was held on September 17, 2024 by public health advocates and farmworkers calling for…
How Trucking Law Violations Impact South Carolina Highway Safety
South Carolina trucking laws and federal regulations enforce rules to maintain safe roadways, but truckers often ignore these and put…
The Role of South Carolina Law Firms That Specialize in Truck Accidents
Truck accidents in South Carolina happen often enough that local law firm Bell Legal Group specializes in helping people injured…
Developing Uterine Cancer From Chemical Hair Straightening Products
Women with a history of frequently using chemical hair straightening products are more than twice as likely to develop uterine…
Then and Now: How Forever Chemicals Changed Firefighting
Forever chemicals profoundly affected firefighting, and decades later these compounds continue to influence the industry, only this time for the…
Beyond the Symptoms: The Impact of AFFF Exposure
The symptoms from Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) exposure are debilitating, but the impact of using these suppressants stretches beyond physical…
How AFFF Manufacturers Marketed to Fire Departments
Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) manufacturers fooled fire departments for years with marketing tactics that emphasized the foam’s benefits instead of…
Courts Push for Common Ground on Camp Lejeune Trial Framework
The latest Order by Magistrate Judge Jones reinforces the Court’s desire for swift proceedings. The Plaintiff’s Leadership Group (PLG) and…
Camp Lejeune Trial Update: Track 1 Plaintiffs Finalized
An Order was issued by all four Camp Lejeune Judges on July 9, 2024, confirming which Plaintiffs will proceed to…
What Is Paraquat? Who Uses It and Who Is at Risk of Exposure?
When herbicide manufacturers explain what paraquat is, they say it’s a safe chemical for weed and grass control, but farmers…
Paraquat Exposure Pathways That Lead to Parkinson’s Disease
It’s unknown what amount, route, or duration of paraquat exposure causes Parkinson’s disease, but no pathway is exempt from creating…
CLJA Claims Deadline Passes
The window for filing Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) claims has closed, but this ending marks only the beginning for…
Camp Lejeune Track 1 Pretrial Schedule Released
An Order for the Camp Lejeune litigation, issued on August 7, 2024, provides a schedule for pretrial matters related to…
The Hair Relaxer Lawsuit, Explained
The hair relaxer lawsuit gives people who have developed cancer from using chemical hair straighteners an avenue to hold the…
Edward Bell Reappointed Lead Counsel for Camp Lejeune Plaintiffs’ Leadership Group
The Court for the Camp Lejeune litigation has reappointed the Plaintiffs’ Leadership Group (PLG) for an additional term, keeping Edward…
10 Facts About Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Hearing the facts about Camp Lejeune’s water contamination isn’t easy for anyone, least of all those whose lives were forever…
Camp Lejeune Judges Appoint a Settlement Master and Liaison
The Judges overseeing the Camp Lejeune Litigation case have issued an Order appointing a Settlement Master and liaison, bringing those…
Court Issues Order Confirming Two Threshold Issues Must Be Resolved Before Camp LeJeune Trials Begin
At the Status Conference held on June 27, 2024, United State Magistrate Judge Robert B. Jones, Jr. announced that two…
New Legislation To Change the Dynamics of Camp Lejeune Trials
The Capitol Hill publication Roll Call has released updates about lawmakers’ strategies to expedite lawsuits filed against the Government after…
Critical Deposition Allowed by Camp Lejeune Judge
The Court denied Defendant’s motion to prevent the deposition of Dr. Christopher Portier and will allow the former director of…
Order for Camp Lejeune Track 1 Plaintiff Selection
The Court overseeing the Camp Lejeune Water Litigation entered an important Order this week regarding guidelines for selecting Track 1…
Understanding Birth Injuries and Malpractice in South Carolina
Infant birth injuries and death rates in South Carolina have been compared to those in third-world countries, to the astonishment…
Camp Lejeune Status Update: Motions & Depositions
The first status hearing conference for 2024 centered around pending Motions regarding Camp Lejeune discovery and a jury trial, plus…
Camp Lejeune Court Hearing: Discovery Disputes
Conversations regarding the Camp Lejeune court hearings continue to center around challenges with information gathering and discovery disputes. The Camp…
Camp Lejeune Status Conference: Barriers to Claims Progress
A status conference on the Camp Lejeune lawsuit claims progress was held on October 30, 2023, addressing roadblocks and resolutions…
Bipartisan Legislation To Expedite Camp Lejeune Cases
Two North Carolina Representatives, Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03), have introduced the Camp Lejeune Justice Correction Act…
A Detailed Look at the Toxic Chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s Water
Camp Lejeune’s water has been described as a toxic stew of chemicals known to cause significant health issues from cancer…
Motions To Expedite Select Camp Lejeune Cases
The Plaintiff’s Leadership Group (PLG) has filed Motions To Expedite Trials for select Camp Lejeune cases, as the timeline for…
How Changing to Alternative Foams Will Change Firefighting Tactics
Waving goodbye to aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) firefighting techniques and welcoming alternative methods that use safer concentrates is a long-overdue…
Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update: Status Conference Pushes for Progress
“How long will the Camp Lejeune lawsuit take?” is a question echoed by thousands of people affected by the contaminated…
The History of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
The history of Camp Lejeune’s water contamination reads like fiction, but the drama, deceit, and heartbreak are very real for…
The Government Ignored Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Studies
Camp Lejeune water contamination studies tie health problems, including cancers and premature births that military families experienced, to their time…
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Changed Military Families Forever
The Camp Lejeune water contamination tested military families who thought they knew what to expect when their loved ones stepped…
The Health Impacts of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
For veterans like Jeff, the health impacts of Camp Lejeune water contamination go beyond physical ailments. The mental anguish, guilt,…
A Catastrophic Malpractice Injury Guide
When you’ve lost mobility or function due to a catastrophic malpractice injury, you’ll want a guide to help you through…
Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit in South Carolina
Laws and procedural rules for medical malpractice claims in South Carolina can make filing a lawsuit an intimidating experience, but…
Camp Lejeune’s ‘Baby Heaven’ Is Anything But
Time hasn’t diminished the emotional pain or anguish parents still feel for the children they buried in Baby Heaven at…
Medical Omission vs. Commission: Which Is Malpractice?
Medical errors in South Carolina are often classified in two ways—acts of omission and commission—and either can qualify as malpractice…
Common Medical Malpractice Cases in South Carolina
The most common medical malpractice cases in South Carolina stem from surgical issues, catastrophic errors, adverse drug reactions, and birthing…
Expert Witness Roles and Requirements for South Carolina Medical Malpractice Cases
If your path forward from a malpractice injury leads you to file a claim, you’ll first need to find an…
Scientific Studies on Contaminated Water and Diseases at Camp Lejeune
Anthony served in the military when the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune was silently poisoning the Marines and their families.…
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act Story: Bringing the Cases to Court
The Government’s wrongdoings at Camp Lejeune impacted tens of thousands of individuals. The Marines who stepped up to fight for…
How Safety Data Sheets for AFFF Misled Firefighters
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for AFFF have misled firefighters from the start, revealing warnings for eye and skin irritation, but…
How Much Exposure to AFFF Is Safe?
Even as the hazards of PFAS (the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in AFFF) became hot topics at manufacturing headquarters, the…
Ed Bell Appointed Lead Counsel for Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
J. Edward Bell III of the Bell Legal Group has been named lead counsel for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit, bringing…
AFFF Terms and Acronyms: What Do They Mean?
Fire foam acronyms hold a lot more meaning than what’s offered at face value, especially to firefighters and their families…
Why Changing From C8 to C6 Foam Didn't Improve Firefighter Safety
The chemical backbones of C8 versus C6 fire foams are not so different that choosing one over the other drastically…
Camp Lejeune Litigation Update: Track 2 Illnesses Released
The Court’s selection for Track 2 illnesses for the Camp Lejeune Water Litigation Case, Case No. 7:23-cv-897, was released on…
Cardiac Birth Defects in the Children of Camp Lejeune
Contaminated drinking water caused children at Camp Lejeune to experience cardiac birth defects, childhood cancers, and adult-onset diseases. Expectant mothers…
Camp Lejeune ATSDR Cancer Incidence Study
It is bittersweet that the cancer study results of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) confirm employees…
FAQs: Science-Based Answers to Common Questions About AFFF
Gathering facts about aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is necessary to understand the current health and environmental crisis caused by these…
Myths and Misconceptions About AFFF and PFAS
The hazards of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) have been shrouded in myths and misconceptions since its inception in the 1960s.…
A Timeline of AFFF Use and Regulatory Developments
The aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) timeline from when its use began until today reveals many failings, but recent developments offer…
AFFF Exposure From Firefighter Gear and Training
AFFF exposure puts many first responders at an increased risk even when wearing firefighting gear. Had firefighters known the facts…
The Lifecycle of AFFF From Production to Disposal
Following aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) from the manufacturing process to its sale and use reveals the number of people at…
The Chemistry of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam vs. Firefighting Alternatives
The biggest chemical difference between AFFF and FFF firefighting suppressants is whether the foams were manufactured with fluorine. When carbon…
Camp Lejeune Litigation Update: Track 1 Bellwether Trial Cases Released
The long-awaited Track 1 Bellwether Plaintiffs for the Camp Lejeune Water Litigation Case, Case No. 7:23-cv-897, were released on December…
U.S. Navy Reports Approximately 5,000 Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims to Date
In just the first month following the removal of legal obstacles by new legislation, approximately 5,000 claims related to water…
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination: A Historical Overview
The Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Scandal: A Historical Perspective The Camp Lejeune water contamination incident is a protracted narrative deeply embedded in…
Legal Rights and Choices for Those Affected by Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
The Camp Lejeune water contamination stands as one of the most significant cases of environmental pollution in the history of the U.S.…
Empowering Camp Lejeune's Water Contamination Victims to Take Action
McNamara stumbled upon the information about Camp Lejeune’s water contaminants unexpectedly when he followed his doctor to the Wilkes-Barre VA…
Camp Lejeune Product Sharing Personal Experiences with Toxic Water and the Significance of the PACT Act
“In just 90 days, my life transformed from being a content father of four in a happy marriage to receiving…
Significant Development: New Law Aids Victims of Lejeune Contamination in South Carolina
“It’s been a long-awaited moment,” he remarked before entering the bill-signing ceremony. “Our veterans, Marines, and their families – it’s…
"We've Finally Achieved Justice": PACT Act Benefits Camp Lejeune Families Exposed to Toxic Water
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is a part of the PACT Act, which grants individuals who lived, worked, or were…
"You're the Bedrock": Biden Enacts "Burn Pits" Assistance for Veterans
“Veterans who have become so ill that they cannot work, and are unable to provide for their families, will no…
Biden Enacts Veterans Benefits Bill Featuring Cartwright's Legislation
U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, representing the 8th District of Moosic, engaged in a conversation on Wednesday with Timothy Borland, the…
President Biden's Speech at the Signing of S. 3373, "The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Commitment to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022"
A fraction of a percent among you – less than 1 percent – put everything on the line to protect…
PACT Act Delivers Long-Awaited Justice to Camp Lejeune Victims
Williams-Pride is currently taking legal steps to address the suffering she and other parents, who never had the chance to…
Bell Legal Group Founder, J. Edward Bell III, to Attend White House Signing Ceremony
For over a decade, Bell Legal Group, under the leadership of Ed Bell, collaborated with Camp Lejeune victims, including Master…
Expansion of Veterans Benefits: PACT Act En Route to President Biden's Desk
Enhanced Veterans benefits to be expanded as PACT Act approaches President Biden’s desk. Allyson Rupp (she/her) | Dewey Square Group…
Camp Lejeune's Water Contamination Altered Lives. Decades of Advocacy Finally Lead to Change
The PACT Act may not reverse the damage, but it has the potential to alleviate enduring consequences. Ensminger observed last…
Bell Legal Group Initiates Initial Lawsuits on Behalf of Camp Lejeune Victims Against U.S. Government for Exposure to Toxic Water on Military Base
J. Edward Bell III, the founder and senior partner of Bell Legal Group and also the president of Charleston School…
Biden Signs Veterans Toxic Exposure Bill Into Law
Biden was accompanied by McDonough, congressional representatives, veterans with prior toxin exposure, and delegates from Veterans Service Organizations. The introduction…
Ed Bell Receives Order of the Palmetto Award
On Monday, June 7th, Georgetown Attorney Ed Bell was honored with South Carolina’s highest civilian distinction, the Order of the…
J. Edward Bell III
Founder and Senior Partner
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