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.
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.
