What Veterans Should Know about the Camp Lejeune Justice Act

What Veterans Should Know about the Camp Lejeune Justice Act

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is a long overdue measure passed by Congress to finally do right by the scores of veterans and their family members who were sickened through prolonged exposure to toxic water. However, the law provides only a temporary solution, and if you miss the window of opportunity, you may lose the right to financial compensation. Here are some key points that veterans should know about the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. To discuss your situation and options for filing a claim, contact an attorney about your rights.

The Government Exposed Veterans and Their Families to Grave Harm

For over three decades, service members and their families living at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River bathed in and drank toxic water. There were three water treatment plants that relied on contaminated groundwater. One was located perilously close to a chemical dump, and the toxins permeated the water. Another treatment plant was located downhill from an off-base dry cleaner that had poor waste disposal practices. The result was that the water contained extremely dangerous levels of toxins such as benzene, Trichloroethylene, and Tetrachloroethylene. 

You Have a Limited Amount of Time to File a Claim

Before Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, veterans and their families were not allowed to file a claim for illnesses caused by the water at Camp Lejeune. There was both a North Carolina state law and a longstanding judicial doctrine that barred lawsuits. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act created an entirely new cause of action for a lawsuit. However, the law specifically states that you have two years from the date that the law was signed to file a lawsuit (it was signed on August 10, 2022), or else you could lose the right. After two years, unless new legislation is passed, the previous rules that prevented a lawsuit will go back into effect. 

You Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

In some cases, the family member who was sickened by toxic water died from their illness many years ago. The family member does not need to be still living to file a claim for compensation. The surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim to be compensated for the losses that they suffered when their loved one died. It does not matter how long ago their loved one passed away as long as they meet all other eligibility criteria.

Causation Requirements for a Camp Lejeune Claim

In order to be eligible for financial compensation, you need to prove that you were at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987 and one of the following about your illness:

• It is caused by exposure to the water
• It is associated with exposure to the water
• It is linked to exposure to the water
• Exposure to the water increased the likelihood of such harm

Contact a Camp Lejeune Attorney to Fight for Financial Compensation

The Comerford Law Firm has a track record of getting results for injured veterans. We have worked with numerous service members, helping them receive the benefits that they are due. To speak with an attorney about a possible claim, you can send us a message online or call us today to request a free consultation.