Military service members, their families, and contractors who spent time on Camp Lejeune and were exposed to unsafe drinking water have been fighting for the Camp Lejeune Justice Act to pass. After a brief and controversial legislative roadblock made by several Republican Senators, it has finally won the approval of the Senate in an overwhelming 86-11 vote. Technically, the PACT Act was approved, which includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law as soon as it reaches his desk. He has long voiced his support for the PACT Act and the benefits that it provides specifically for military veterans.
What Does the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Do?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows injury claims to be filed against the federal government by people who were exposed to contaminated potable water at United States Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, and who were later diagnosed with severe illnesses related to that exposure. Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) allows some eligible veterans to receive limited disability benefits related to illnesses caused by the Camp Lejeune water. The passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act will give injured veterans, their families, and contractors an expanded opportunity to seek compensation, even if they have already received VA benefits.
Eligible Camp Lejeune water contamination claimants will meet these criteria:
- Served, lived, or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1952 and 1987;
- Used the contaminated water for at least 30 days (doesn’t have to be consecutive days);
- Were diagnosed with a severe illness or cancer linked to volatile organic compound (VOC) exposure; or,
- Lost a loved one to a terminal illness caused by VOC exposure.
There will be a brief two-year lookback window for people to file Camp Lejeune water contamination claims once the act is officially signed into law. It is expected that all the claims will be filed in one court to then be handled on a mass torts basis. Military veterans who think they have a valid Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit are urged to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to discuss the next legal steps to take in pursuit of compensation and justice.
Kalfus & Nachman proudly offers our legal representation to the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. If you need help with a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit now that the Camp Lejeune Justice Act has passed, then please contact us at your next opportunity to get a free case review. You can also call us at (855) 880-8163 — we accept calls 24/7!