PACT Act Is Signed into Law
On August 10 2022, United States president Joe Biden signed the PACT Act. This bill provides the biggest boost in vital medical and disability benefits to thousands of veteran families over three decades.
It is a comprehensive bill. PACT Act includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, bipartisan legislation with major implications for veterans stationed at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
Camp Lejeune’s water had been polluted by hazardous chemicals for years, which caused many veterans and their beloved family members to fall sick. The new law permits the victims of contamination in the water from Camp Lejeune to file lawsuits and receive compensation for the damage done.
The law applies to civilians or military personnel, as well as their families, who had to be exposed to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from July 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987. It has been established that the water was contaminated with poisons such as benzene perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride.
“It’s estimated that 1 million U.S. Marine veterans, their families, and civilian workers at the base might be exposed to poisonous water at Camp Lejeune. 1 million. That’s 1 million who might have been poisoned by contaminated water and who suffered severe health issues such as cancer, miscarriages or birth defects due to drinking, bathing, and cooking using the water there. They will now be able to pursue justice thanks to the passage of the PACT Act,” explains Ricky A. LeBlanc, the managing attorney of Sokolove Law. This national personal legal firm handles injuries.
LeBlanc LeBlanc, who is licensed by LeBlanc, who is licensed through the Office of the General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.) LeBlanc has years of experience in addressing legal issues about veterans.
“We represent a lot of veterans in the United States with various issues such as asbestos exposure to 3M earplugs to a host of other issues, and they don’t realize they have recourse beyond the V.A. to be compensated. The signing of this legislation into law is a signal to veterans who are grateful that Congress has finally acknowledged that they deserve the right to justice.” the lawyer says. “The major clauses included in the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, which have since been passed into law, encourage military personnel and their families to bring lawsuits against the government for exposure to Camp Lejeune and assert their legal rights over and above V.A. benefits. The families of our veterans know they made the ultimate sacrifice during the war to protect our freedoms; however, they did not anticipate that the U.S. government would poison them. I am happy they will have the opportunity to pursue justice after many years without recourse.”
What is The PACT Act?
In the case of Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring, Our Promise to address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, the advantages of this Camp Lejeune Justice Act will:
- Check that employees from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.) who handle screenings, including laboratory testing and specimen collection, have been properly trained.
- Increase screenings and treatment options for veterans exposed to harmful chemicals like the ones in the waters at Camp Lejeune.
- Refine and revise the method employed to assess the exposure to toxicants.
Sergeant First Class Robinson, The bill’s mascot, was a member of the Ohio National Guard who died from lung cancer in the year 2000 due to massive smoke exposure from burning pits during his time in Iraq.
To pay tribute to his legacy, The couple, his daughters, and his wife continue to stand up for the victims of burning pits that are toxic to the environment and other toxic chemicals performing their duties.
Justice to Camp Lejeune Veterans
With PACT Act, Camp Lejeune veterans and their families suffering from grave health problems could be eligible to claim compensation previously denied for their pain.
Health concerns caused by the water contamination in Camp Lejeune include:
- ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease
- Aplastic anaemia
- Birth defects
- Bladder cancer
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Oesophagal cancer
- Female infertility
- Heart attacks and diseases
- Hepatic Steatosis (fatty liver disease)
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- The mishap
- Myeloma multiple myeloma (plasma cell cancer)
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes (a disorder that can affect the production of blood cells)
- Neurobehavioral impacts (depression and anxiety)
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Scleroderma (inflamed, hard skin)
Before the legislation, those who suffered and the victims’ families weren’t permitted to sue for medical problems relating to Camp Lejeune water contamination.
Get a no-cost legal consultation now to find out more about your options.
Voices of Veterans the stories from Camp Lejeune Families
John’s Story
“Many families will feel as if they are recognized by the government and being heard for the first time. A lot suffer the loss of loved ones because of toxic exposure, and this bill is an affirmation that the military and government recognize our feelings,” says Chris Carberg, an entrepreneur from Florida who is a digital health businessman.
Carberg Her father, who suffered from bladder cancer as of 2012 following having served in Camp Lejeune in 1957, is aware of the suffering that Camp Lejeune veterans and their families very well.
“I witnessed my dad go through numerous operations and treatments that prevented him from taking his retirement seriously and spending quality time with his children,” he recalls. “There was a time when I believed that every family like ours was out of luck. However, this legislation is likely to have a major impact.”
Originating from New London, Connecticut, Carberg’s father was only a teenager when he enlisted in the military, continuing the tradition of his grandparents, who also were members of the U.S. Marine Corps.
“The last thing my dad would have anticipated at the time was that water would come to be able to destroy his life in the future,” he shares. “Water is the most basic life-giving, vital element on earth. He didn’t have to die due to enemies waging war against him and his fellow U.S. Marines, but by something that he believed was replenishing and maintaining him.”
Following his father’s death, Carberg’s mother had to be left with survivorship benefits from V.A. In many cases; it isn’t enough to assist widows and their dependent children in avoiding financial difficulties.
Although his father did not initially express a special desire to be involved in legislation related to this matter, he did experience an abrupt change of mind after meeting with other U.S. Marines who had suffered from severe health problems resulting from toxic drinking water.
“I would like people to know that it’s important to speak up and advocate for the people you love and also that doing so can be patriotic,” He says. “My dad will be so proud to know that it is true that the Camp Lejeune Act is a bipartisan legislation and can help my mother, who was one of the things that were important to him.”
Teresa’s Story
Teresa, who was raised in a military household and later became a wife, also has a connection with Camp Lejeune. When she arrived at Camp Lejeune in 1989 along with her son, the family moved to Tarawa Terrace before welcoming her new daughter.
“Before this bill, the most difficult thing for Camp Lejeune veterans was getting the V.A. to acknowledge that the polluted waters caused their health problems,” Teresa says. “I hope this legislation will spur the V.A. to take action and aid our veterans identified with medical issues following they’re stationed at Camp Lejeune.”
What happened? What Happened at Camp Lejeune?
The story of drinking water pollution in Camp Lejeune — named in memory the Major General John A. Lejeune, the 13th Commandant and Commanding General of the 2nd Army Division during World War I spanned more than 30 years.
In particular, between 1953 and 1987, Camp Lejeune residents who frequently exposed to the water taps of the camp’s system, such as bathing and drinking from this water. Later, they were discovered to be susceptible to a variety of chronic illnesses.
Nearly 40 years after the last reported incident of the camp’s water pollution, the new Camp Lejeune Act recognizes these damages. It permits those who have suffered from similar diseases to seek compensation.
Find out more about the past of Camp Lejeune, the years of contamination of the water in the camp’s base as well as the passing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
Get Help Filing Your Camp Lejeune Claim
If you or your loved family were exposed to poisonous drinking water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, you could be eligible for financial compensation. And one of our Camp Lejeune lawyers might be able to argue for your family members.
For more than 40 years, Sokolove Law has been helping families of veterans gain access to V.A. benefits and seek Settlement from Camp Lejeune in the event of injuries.
Request a free review of your case to determine whether we might be helpful to you as well.
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