The United States Department of Justice and U.S. Navy announced a program of tier-based payouts to those whom the water contamination on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune has harmed. The two organizations said they would like to speed up the settlement of thousands of federal and administrative lawsuits in limbo for over a year.
The Justice Now(September 12th) The United States Department of Justice and U.S. Navy announced a program of tier-based payouts to those whom the water contamination on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune has harmed. The two organizations said they would like to speed up the settlement of thousands of federal and administrative lawsuits in limbo for over a year.
According to Navy and Department of Justice spokespeople, no lawsuit or claim has been settled over drinking water at the Jacksonville, North Carolina base, contaminated by hazardous chemicals that led to cancer and other health issues.
The new system is expected to offer the possibility of payments ranging from $100,000 to $550,000 tied to certain illnesses and durations of exposure to address claims of injury or death due to water. It is a decision that some claimants could opt not to pursue a suit or administrative claim with the federal government.More than 1,100 federal and nearly 93,000 administrative lawsuits have been brought, seeking compensation for injuries sustained by the water.
This option of tiered settlement is only offered to those with certain diseases, like cancer, who were residing at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days when the water was discovered to be affected. Claimants can bring claims through the person who was injured or a member of their family.Â
President Joe Biden signed the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act in August 2022. It was the first time there was an avenue for Camp Lejeune claims. In the meantime, the Department of Health and Human Services has acknowledged that the presence of chemicals in water that were polluted from 1953 to 1987 could have affected millions of people.
The PACT Act established an administrative claims procedure for individuals seeking reimbursement from the Navy. If claims aren’t solved, it permits national lawsuits in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Administrative claims can be filed through August 2024, according to the law.
A senior Navy and Department of Justice officials told reporters on Wednesday that the newly-created alternate payment option for administrative claims was designed to allow veterans and their families to be paid faster. However, they did not provide any information about the timeframe.
To receive a payment, the claimant has to submit an administrative claim and then wait for a response from the Navy regarding their settlement offer. As of now, the Navy is currently processing around 18,000 claims, according to officials.
After receiving a settlement offer, the claimant will be given 60 days to take it up and should expect to receive their money within 60 days. They may pursue the administrative or legal claim if they do not accept it.
There is no timeframe set for the trial of the first case in legal cases brought by the federal courts.
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If you or someone close to you has been at Camp Lejeune and has been diagnosed with cancer then you are eligible, you could be able to file a case and get your due compensation.
A free case evaluation can aid you in determining whether you are facing a legal issue and the legal alternatives. Our knowledgeable attorneys will analyze your case and advise on the best way to proceed. You are not required to retain us, and do not have to pay any costs if we do not win your case.
