Many ads or advertisements involving Camp Lejeune have blanketed the region recently. Although they can be annoying, the motive at the heart of all these ads is likely to affect your family members or someone you love or know. It doesn't matter if it's for yourself or someone else in your neighborhood; all eastern parts of North Carolina should understand what is happening at Camp Lejeune.
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is located in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, and began operations in 1941. Between 1953 and 1987, the federal government dug or dumped, and removed toxic chemical compounds and volatile organic compounds found on the grounds of Camp Lejeune. These chemicals contaminated the drinking water used at the base. The contamination of the drinking water led to increased dangers for various health conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, cancers, and congenital disabilities, among others. The federal government was aware of the issue around 1982. However, they did not take action at the time.
In the summer of 2022, Congress approved The “SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act.” The act was a hit due to the aspects it included regarding burn pits that were being used in Iraq and Afghanistan and Afghanistan, a cause that was championed on T.V. by comedian Jon Stewart. The act was authored by Jon Stewart, in addition to the burning pit issue, and included a show called the “Camp Lejeune Justice Act.” The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was the federal government admitting they made mistakes and trying to make amends for the people who were hurt due to the drinking water contamination within Camp Lejeune.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act provides anyone (military and civilian) who was exposed to the drinking water of Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days in the period between 1953 and 1987 is able to submit an action for compensation with the Department of the Navy within two years after the passing of the act, which would make the deadline on August 10, 2024. If a claim is rejected, the civil lawsuit may be filed with the Federal Court in the Eastern District of North Carolina within 180 days of the decision. The law further states that federal authorities are not going to use governmental immunity or statutes of limitation to defend any lawsuit. It also clarifies that punitive damages cannot be offered and establishes the bar for a claim to ensure that it is at least as likely there is no causal connection is established between an injury and polluted water.
The federal government maintains a list of ailments and diseases that are believed to be due to polluted water and an inventory of conditions and illnesses which aren’t considered to be a result of the contamination but could be confirmed as due to the contamination of the water. But, there are other conditions that could be treated when a causal link to drinking water contamination can be established.
A few victims of the contamination in drinking water can be identified. They may be suffering from an illness or condition currently or have a parent or spouse who passed away from cancer previously. Unfortunately, a lot of victims of water contamination and their immediate family members have dementia, or were passed away after many years, or have family members outside of the immediate family who are not aware that they are the ones who are accountable for bringing an action. It is possible to conduct some research to determine the cause of a grandparent’s passing away or the reason an aunt didn’t have children. There are a lot of complexities involved in determining whether an illness or condition can be covered, what evidence is needed, who is the proper person to start a claim and to bring the action, and also what are the appropriate amount of damages to be sought and that any person who lived or had relatives to spend time at Camp Lejeune from 1953 through 1987 ought to seriously consider talking to an attorney.
The vast amount of people affected by the contamination of the water, coupled with the challenge of identifying potential victims, the almost limitless amount of money to settle claims, as well as the extremely short deadline for filing a claim, are resulting in the abundance of advertisements and solicitations we’re currently receiving. Many of these ads come from lawyers who plan to represent you. Likewise, some come from companies that intend to market your information to law firms. If you or someone close to you was in Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, contact me, and we can talk about whether you are entitled to compensation. The deadline to file a claim will expire in the month of August 2024. Don’t put off filing.
