Many military veterans, workers, and residents living at Camp Lejeune from the 1950s to the 1980s started developing debilitating illnesses, affecting their lives forever.

Fortunately, there is hope for victims of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune after President Biden signed the PACT Act, which included legislation aimed at the victims exposed to water contamination at the US military base known as the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

If you’re suffering from injuries linked to water contamination at Camp Lejeune, contact our law firm now for a free consultation with our legal representative. You may now be able to pursue claims for your injuries.

Camp Lejeune Justice Act Signed into Legislation

The Marine Corps base, Camp Lejeune, provided its residents and employees with contaminated water from the early 1950s into the late 1980s.

Following a new federal environmental regulation in the 1980s, the Environmental Protection Agency researched the water at Camp, revealing heavy trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, vinyl chloride, and other volatile organic compounds in the drinking water wells.

Camp Lejeune residents and its employees slowly started developing symptoms of various illnesses, including cancer and neurological disorders, unaware that the Camp Lejeune drinking water was causing health deterioration.

Over the years, many injured Camp Lejeune water contamination victims brought civil lawsuits hoping to receive financial compensation for their injuries. However, North Carolina’s harsh statute of repose made it impossible for victims to seek claims and justice.

On August 10, 2022, the federal government added the new federal legislature, Camp Lejeune justice Act, into the legislation allowing veterans, workers, and residents at Camp Lejeune or legal representative of such an individual to file Camp Lejeune water contamination claim despite the statute of repose in North Carolina.

Eligibility under the Camp Lejeune Act of 2022

To file a claim under the Camp Lejeune act of 2022, victims must be eligible by fulfilling the following requirements:

• Resided or worked at the Camp for a minimum of 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
• Suffered injuries from exposure to contaminated water.

Veterans living and working at the Camp Lejeune, their family members residing with them, and civilians working may qualify for filing claims.

Individuals who lost their loved ones from injuries due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may also be eligible to file claims under the Camp Lejeune act.

How to File Claims under the Justice Act

Affected victims must fill out a special claims form developed for Camp Lejeune contaminated water victims to start the claims process under the new legislation.

Claimants using the incorrect form risk rejection and will have to go through the entire process again, which is why it is crucial to reach out to an attorney for guidance.

Injured victims have two years from signing the act into legislation (August 10, 2022) to receive appropriate relief.

When Can Victims File a Lawsuit for Injuries Resulting from Water Contamination Exposure Against a Federal Agency?

If the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rejects your claim, under the Title 28 US Code § 2675 disposition by federal agency required, you can then file a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. 

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina is the only venue for individuals to pursue such an action.

Do You Need to Submit Evidence When Filing a Claim?

Previously veterans faced difficulty filing claims due to North Carolina’s harsh law.

However, after the passing of the new legislation, eligible victims can pursue claims, but they do need to submit the following after initiating the claims process:

• Proof of residence at the Camp Lejeune 
• Military records showing dates and locations of service
• Medical records and bills
• Travel records
• Healthcare information
• Death certification (For wrongful death claim)
• Proof of VA benefits, if applicable.

Establishing a Connection: Proving Your Time at the Camp Is Important

Victims must prove their time at Camp Lejeune, whether they’re civilian or military personnel working at the Camp between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, or their family members residing during that time.

They must be able to furnish information about their location or station, how they used the contaminated water, and other relevant details to ensure they are eligible for the claims.

Providing names of friends or other service members working at the base who can confirm your service at Camp Lejeune could be helpful.

If available, victims can also provide letters they wrote to their family members while at the Camp which mention the health problems they are experiencing.

What Medical Conditions Qualify under the Justice Act?

Camp Lejeune veterans and their families and affected civilians suffering from the following medical conditions qualify under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act:

• Cancers: Bladder, Kidney, Liver, and other types of cancers
• Neurological disorders: Parkinson’s disease and ALS
• Female infertility and birth defects.

The abovementioned medical conditions are not an exhaustive list. Please speak to our experienced Camp Lejeune justice act attorneys about your health condition and your service at the Camp to help assess your case and learn more about your legal options.

Your Medical Condition Is Not on the List. Should You File a Claim?

If you’re experiencing health symptoms due to your time at Camp Lejeune that is not on the VA’s list, it may still be worth pursuing a claim, as an experienced attorney may be able to prove such harm.

Can You File a Claim If You’re Already Receiving VA Benefits?

If you’re receiving VA benefits from exposure to Camp Lejeune water contamination, you may still be able to pursue a claim. Upon claims approval, you will see an offset of the settlement against the benefits received in the past for your medical condition.

For example, if military personnel received disability benefits for kidney cancer due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, they can still file a Camp Lejeune claim for their kidney cancer.

If the VA accepts the claim, they will calculate the offset against the VA benefits they previously received for their cancer. However, if they were also previously receiving benefits for other injuries, there will be no offset against those.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Camp Lejeune Justice Act Law Firm Today

Our law firm has been an advocate for victims of contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune and other toxic exposures across military bases in the United States for years. 

The introduction of the PACT Act with the Justice Act allows us the tools to pursue claims for your injuries aggressively. No more waiting; apply for claims now with our legal experts by dialing (833) LETS-SUE or our contact us form for a virtual consultation today.