How Camp Lejeune Victims Can Fight for Their Rights

The fight for Camp Lejeune victims sickened by water contamination has been decades in the making. The long battle took a turn in 2012 with the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act led to some covered healthcare for veterans and some reimbursement for family members that remained after their insurance coverage paid its limits. This Act also provided for housing, education, and memorial services.

camp lejeune veteran victims

Anyone who applied for this coverage would be required to prove their service or residency at Camp Lejeune from 1953 through 1987 after the Marine Corps shut down the wells and began the long process of cleanup.

While the Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act offered help, it did not go far enough. In August of 2022, the PACT Act and the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, finally allowed people impacted by the toxic water to file a claim for financial reimbursement from the US Government for healthcare expenses incurred following time at the base.

What Rights Do You Have?

While the Camp Lejeune Justice Act gave people impacted by the toxic water the right to file a claim, the battle is not yet over. However, victims can now file:

• Personal injury claims for compensation for losses stemming from the contamination, including medical expense reimbursement, lost wages and earnings capacity, and emotional trauma and distress

• Wrongful death claims on behalf of a loved one who passed away from their base-related illnesses. Only specific relatives such as spouses and children may file a lawsuit.

• Disability benefits for veterans who can provide sufficient medical evidence that establishes a clear link between their toxic exposure and subsequent illness(es) during the effective period.

In all cases, you must show proof of your residency or work history at Camp Lejeune.

No Jury Trials

A group of federal judges in North Carolina have ruled that the plaintiffs will not have the option of a jury trial as previously believed. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act does not guarantee the right to a jury trial. Instead, the cases will be heard by a judge, which may lead to expediting the claims.

Protect Your Right—Act Now To File Your Claim

You’ll only have the right to file a claim for just six months because the deadline is this August. If you don’t file your claim by then you’ll lose your only opportunity to seek this compensation. If you haven’t filed your claim yet, protect your rights by filing your claim immediately or risk losing that right. Contact our disability attorneys now to schedule an appointment and get your claim started before the deadline.

Camp Lejeune Claim? Contact The Herren Law Firm Today

For over 30 years, the Herren law firm has helped veterans and disabled people with their benefit claims and appeals. We have extensive experience dealing with governmental agencies and the claims filed with them.
If you or someone you know is a Camp Lejeune victim, contact us immediately.

We’ve helped over 4,000 people, and we can help you as well. Contact us today by calling (713) 682-8194 or using our online contact form. Your consultation is free, and you won’t owe us a fee until we win your case.

I Worked At Camp Lejeune – Can I File A Claim?

Publicity surrounding the Camp Lejeune, North Carolina water contamination issue frequently focuses on military personnel (primarily the Marines) and their families. But military families weren’t the only ones exposed.

worker speaking to a soldier in camp le jeune

The base currently has over 3,000 civilian employees. From 1953 through 1987, thousands of civilian workers were also exposed to the contaminated water daily.

Just like military families, civilian workers on Camp Lejeune developed serious illnesses from that exposure.

The PACT Act

Previously only military veterans were eligible to get benefits through the VA. Family members and civilians were not eligible for any assistance no matter how serious their illness, until now.

The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT) of 2022 expands the availability of benefits to veterans who were previously denied benefits. This legislation includes veterans who suffered illness from burn pits and other toxic exposures.

Tucked into the PACT Act is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 which directly addresses military personnel and their families stationed there during the affected period. The legislation eliminated a North Carolina provision that prevented victims from filing related claims. Family members who were exposed, even in utero, may be allowed to file their own claims, as well as a claim on behalf of a deceased family member.

Civilians Are Now Eligible

The PACT Act gives anyone exposed to the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune the chance to file a claim and recover compensation for their injuries. For the first time, civilian workers can also file a claim to recover compensation for their injuries from the toxic exposure.

Civilian workers exposed to the toxic water for 30 days (consecutive or non-consecutive) are eligible to file their own claims.

Former federal employees working at Camp Lejeune can contact the Department of Labor for additional information.

Note that claimants will not be able to recover punitive damages from this claim. Lawsuits are only for injury recovery.

Qualifying For A Claim

You must show that you were working at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from August 1, 1953, through December 31, 1987. You’ll also need medical evidence that you have been diagnosed with one of the many associated conditions:

Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
• Bladder cancer
Breast cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Female infertility
Hepatic steatosis
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Miscarriage
• Multiple myeloma
Neurobehavioral conditions
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Parkinson’s disease
• Prostate Cancer
Renal toxicity
• Scleroderma

These are just some of the conditions known to result from the contamination but are not a complete list. Other medical conditions may also be eligible for a claim.

You will need to show proof of the damage caused by the contaminated water, including medical and other records.

Short Time Frame

The law went into effect on August 10, 2022.

Anyone affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has from that date until August 10, 2024, to bring a claim under the CLJA. Once the law expires, you will no longer be able to seek compensation. If you believe you were affected by the water contamination, you should speak with an attorney immediately to begin preparation to file your claim.

Contact The Herren Law Firm Today For Help With Your Claim

For more than 30 years, the Herren law firm has helped veterans and other disabled people with their benefits claims and appeals. We have extensive experience dealing with governmental agencies and the claims that are filed with them.

If you or someone you know became ill after living and/or working on base at Camp Lejeune, contact our office today.

We’ve helped over 4,000 people, and we can help you as well. Contact us today by calling (713) 682-8194 or using our online contact form our consultation is free, and you won’t owe us a fee until we win your case.

Call Now Button