Compensation for the Camp Lejeune Injuries: What You Need to Know
In August 2022, The Honoring Our PACT Act (the “PACT Act”) was signed into federal law to aid Marines, their families, and civilians who spent more than 30 days on base between 1953 and 1987, and later developed injuries due to consumption of contaminated water.1
If you or a loved one was affected by the Camp Lejeune incident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and other damages, but the window to act is short.
What Happened at Camp Lejeune?
Camp Lejeune is a United States Marine Corps base located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The base was established in 1941 and served as a training facility for Marines during World War II. It continued to be used as a training facility throughout the 20th century.
From 1953-1987 we know the base’s drinking water was contaminated with a number of dangerous chemicals, including trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and benzene. In 1982, Scientists confirmed the contamination of two water supply systems on the base.2 These chemicals were used on the base for a variety of purposes, including cleaning, degreasing, and fuelling equipment.
The contamination lasted for several decades, and it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of Marines, their families, and civilians who spent time on the base were exposed to the contaminated water during this time.
The Health Effects of Camp Lejeune Contamination
The chemicals found in the Camp Lejeune drinking water have been linked to a number of serious health issues, including cancer, neurological disorders, and reproductive problems.
Some of the health issues associated with Camp Lejeune contamination include:
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Bladder, brain, breast, cervical, esophageal, kidney, liver, lunch, ovarian, prostate, and/or rectal cancer
- Eplilepsy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Infertility, miscarriage, and birth defects.
The link between the Camp Lejeune contamination and these health issues was not widely recognized until the late 1990s. Prior to that time, many of the affected veterans and their families had no idea that the drinking water on the base was contaminated.
Compensation for Camp Lejeune Related Injuries
If you or a loved one was injured as a result of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and other damages.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides health care and disability benefits to veterans and their families who were affected by the Camp Lejeune incident.3 These benefits include:
- Medical care for health issues related to Camp Lejeune exposure
- Disability compensation for eligible veterans
- Survivor benefits for eligible family members.
In addition to VA benefits, there may be other forms of compensation available to those affected by the Camp Lejeune contamination. This may include compensation from the responsible parties, including the U.S. government and the companies responsible for the contamination.
Even if you or your loved one suffered harm decades ago, the PACT Act may now provide an opportunity to seek legal redress and pursue compensation.
The window for filing claims against the U.S. government for compensation for your injuries is short.
The legal process for pursuing compensation for the Camp Lejeune incident can be complex and difficult to navigate. It may involve filing claims with multiple government agencies, as well as pursuing legal action against the responsible parties.
If you believe you are entitled to compensation because of the time you spent at Camp Lejeune, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney who can help you understand your legal options. A lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
The legal team at our law firm understands the toll that the Camp Lejeune contamination has taken on veterans and their families. We know that the physical and emotional pain caused by the contamination can last a lifetime, and we are dedicated to helping our clients get the justice and compensation they deserve.
How to Claim Compensation for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
For many veterans and their families, pursuing compensation for injuries suffered because of water contamination at Camp Lejeune can be a daunting and complex process. However, with the help of an experienced attorney, victims can pursue the compensation and benefits they are entitled to.
At our law firm, we understand the challenges facing veterans and their families affected by the Camp Lejeune contamination. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of the legal process involved in pursuing compensation for the incident, and we are committed to helping our clients get the justice they deserve.
The law states an individual, a veteran, or a legal representative who had “resided, worked, or was otherwise exposed (including in utero exposure) for not less than 30 days during the period beginning on August 1, 1953, and ending on December 31, 1987, to water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, that was supplied by, or on behalf of, the United States” to “bring an action in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina to obtain appropriate relief for harm that was caused by exposure to the water at Camp Lejeune.”4
If this is you or a loved one, the PACT Act identifies a two-step process to assert a claim. Claimants must first submit an administrative claim to the Department of the Navy, using a standard government form. That form requires the identification of the injury or injuries connected with claimant’s exposure to the chemical contaminants at Camp Lejeune, as well as injuries that may be secondary or attributed to the initial injury. For example, if someone developed cancer due to exposure and then suffered a form of cardiac impairment or injury from chemotherapy treatment, then, we believe, both issues are connected with the exposure to contaminated water and should be identified.
If the Navy denies the claim or takes no action, then the PACT Act allows you to sue the government and other parties responsible for the litigation in federal court in North Carolina.
Our attorneys will be there with you to ensure you get the justice you deserve. We have experience representing veterans and their families in lawsuits related to the Camp Lejeune incident, and we are prepared to fight for our clients’ rights and interests by pursuing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
In addition to helping veterans and their families pursue compensation for the Camp Lejeune incident, our law firm also advocates for policies and legislation that protect the rights and benefits of veterans. We believe that those who served our country deserve the best possible care and support, and we are committed to fighting for their rights and interests.
The firm also offers a no-fee guarantee, which means that clients only pay if they win their case. This ensures that clients can pursue justice and compensation without worrying about the financial burden of legal fees. We are familiar with the complexities of pursuing legal action against responsible parties such as the U.S. government.
Your team at Goodman Acker will work with you to gather evidence, including medical records and other documentation that can help establish a link between the contamination and your damages. They will also negotiate with the defendant’s attorneys and insurance companies to seek a fair settlement or take your case to court if necessary.
One of the key aspects that sets us at Goodman Acker apart from other law firms is our dedication to client communication. The attorneys at Goodman Acker understand that going through a legal battle can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, and we make it a priority to keep clients informed and updated throughout the entire process.
Talk to a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyer at Goodman Acker Today
The Camp Lejeune accident has had a devastating impact on the health and well-being of veterans and their families. If you or a loved one was affected by this incident, it is important to understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
The legal process for pursuing compensation for the Camp Lejeune incident can be complex and difficult to navigate, but with the help of an experienced attorney, you can fight for your rights and get the justice you deserve.
If you or a loved one was affected by the Camp Lejeune water contamination, it is important to act quickly to protect your legal rights. Contact us at 248-286-8100 today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.
Our attorneys have a proven track record of success in helping veterans and their families pursue compensation for the Camp Lejeune incident, and we are here to help you, too.
Sources
1. Govinfo.gov. (2022) Public Law 117-168. Aug. 10, 2022. An Act To improve the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant and the Children of Fallen Heroes Grant. Retrieved from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-117publ168/pdf/PLAW-117publ168.pdf
2. National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2009). National Research Council (U.S.) Committee on Contaminated Drinking Water at Camp Lejeune. Contaminated Water Supplies at Camp Lejeune: Assessing Potential Health Effects. Washington D.C. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK215286/
3. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Camp Lejeune water contamination health issues. Retrieved from https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/camp-lejeune-water-contamination/
4. Congress.gov. (2022). R.6482 – Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/6482/text
LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN
Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]
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