Camp Lejeune Claims – Camp Lejeune is a U.S. Marine Corps base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. In the 1980s, it was discovered that the U.S. Marine Corps learned that people living on the base, including military personnel, their families, and civilian contractors, had been exposed to harmful chemical compounds in the base’s water intake.
Since then, information has been going around about helping Veterans or their loved ones claim financial compensation. In August 2022, the Honoring our PACT Act was enacted in the form of a law that dealt with the impacts on Veterans and other people who were exposed to toxic chemicals in the environment and radiation, such as burn pits, in addition to Agent Orange due to their military.
Furthermore, this bill also contained an amendment to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Although the VA benefits available via the claim process are beneficial for Veterans, the affected families and civilians affected could not receive any payment.
A person, which includes a veteran (as defined by section 101 in title 38 of the United States Code) or the legal representative of that person, who lived in, worked or was exposed (including in the utero) for no less than 30 consecutive days between on August 1, 1953, and concluding at the end of December 1987. to the water in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, that was provided by or in the name of The United States may bring an action before the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina to seek an appropriate remedy for the damage caused by exposure to the lake that was present at Camp Lejeune.
Section 804 – Federal Cause of Action Relating to Water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act:
- It is allowed to any person (including Veterans, families and civilians) who was at Camp Lejeune between August 1 1953, August 1, December 31, 1987, and was exposed to contaminated water for a minimum of 30 days (does not need been consecutive) to sue and seek damages.
- It prohibits US government authorities from asserting a specific immunity from litigation as a response to a lawsuit.
It’s crucial to know the two processes and why it could benefit veterans and their families to consider both options.
Steps for Filing Your Camp Lejeune VA Benefits Claim
The VA has agreed to pay Disability benefits for Veterans affected by this Camp Lejeune water contamination incident. The benefits are not available to relatives of the victim.
There are several steps involved in making a claim.
Show proof that you were there at Camp Lejeune.
To be eligible for benefits, you have to demonstrate that you resided in, worked or were present in Camp Lejeune for 30 days, from August 1, 1953, until December 31, 1987. You’ll need to prove this by submitting evidence (i.e. documents from your job such as military records, affidavits, etc.)
Provide documentation of the health condition.
You or your family members must keep medical records on file that indicate that you have contracted one of the presumptive diseases due to the contamination of water in Camp Lejeune.
File a VA Claim.
You have to claim disability with Veterans Affairs (VA) by one of the following methods:
- Online filing on VA.gov
- Requesting assistance from a Veterans Service Officer
- Visit a VA Regional Office for assistance
Keep an eye on the VA’s decision.
The average time required by the VA to finish an application in July 2022 was 120 days (this was before signing the PACT Act was signed into law). The perfect moment to begin researching lawyers who accept Camp Lejeune cases if your claim is rejected.
Filing a Lawsuit Against the US Government via the Camp Lejeune Justice Act
It is crucial to remember that only Veterans get the advantage of submitting a claim to Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Affairs system only compensates relatives or civilians affected by this Camp Lejeune water contamination at the end of August 2022.
However, with the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, anyone can file a lawsuit in the name of Government officials in the US Government to seek compensation.
According to the CBO estimation of Camp Lejeune, settlement payouts through 2031 are $6.7 Billion. The CBO estimates that settlements could boost direct spending by around $15 billion in 2031.
Even if you’re a Veteran who is already receiving compensation from the VA because of your exposure to the toxic waters within Camp Lejeune, you can still pursue a lawsuit under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. It is crucial to keep in mind that this may alter the benefits you’re currently receiving. It is essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of filing a lawsuit.
What’s the best option for you? Take a look at both options.
Veterans must submit a claim to the VA to get benefits. However, they, along with their families and other civilians affected by the toxic water in Camp Lejeune, should also consider making a claim. If you’re a veteran or a Civil War veteran, either of these options could be advantageous.
If, for instance, you have a low disability rating, then you probably don’t receive a substantial monthly income. The lawsuit could result in a significant lump sum of money. In addition, because the Veteran family members don’t get VA benefits due to the Camp Lejeune water contamination, filing a lawsuit may be beneficial to them too.
The award of damages resulting from the filing of an action could be used to be:
- Medical treatment
- Loss of wages
- The pain and suffering
- The decline in the enjoyment of life as well as earning capacity
Yet, Veterans should keep in mind that they could impact what benefits they already receive. This is why it is crucial to evaluate all possible alternatives. Talking to an attorney may be an effective way to obtain a different opinion on the best method you should choose.
How can The Justice Now Help You?
The Justice Now has years of experience aiding the families of veterans in Veteran disability law issues. We deeply understand veterans and are aware of the medical evidence required to support VA appeals. If you think you or your family members were affected by Camp Lejeune’s water contamination, we can help. Camp Lejeune water contamination, regardless of whether you’re either a veteran or civilian employee, you may learn more to determine whether you’re eligible to receive VA Benefits, file a lawsuit or both.
