Justice seems finally within reach seven decades after the tragic water contamination at the US Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

President Joe Biden honored the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 by signing the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) into law in August last year. CLJA aims to aid veterans and other affected individuals seeking benefits and compensation for negative health consequences caused by exposure to toxic water.

As a result, service members and eligible individuals who visited, worked or lived at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from 1953 to 1987 may sue the government. They must prove that drinking, bathing and cooking with contaminated water caused sickness, and relatives may also represent loved ones dying from the incident.

Finding A Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Legal Assistance

According to the US Navy, thousands have already filed a case just within the first month of the new legislation. It will be smart for affected individuals to seek legal representation because the statute of limitations only allows them to build their case two years since the law passed. Here are ways you can take action:

• File an administrative claim with the Navy’s Office of the Judge Advocate General Tort Claims Unit: If approved within six months, chances are receiving settlement with the requested amount. However, if denied, you may file a lawsuit in the US District Court, North Carolina Eastern District, within six months of the decision in pursuit of a court award.
• Check eligibility for VA disability and healthcare benefits: These apply to members of the National Guard, Reservists and Veterans serving during the Camp Lejeune tragedy. They must provide sufficient evidence that being of service caused diseases or health conditions like kidney cancer, bladder cancer, leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Parkinson’s disease, among others. Medical records, hospital reports and supporting statements from family and work personnel may validate such claims.

With lawsuits expected to grow rapidly, timelines for every claim may vary. The influx may slow the process down, but you may work with legal resources in building a strong case leading to positive results.

As The Fight Continues, Healing Begins.

No monetary value can fully compare to the profound loss that Camp Lejeune victims endured. But with the newly minted law in full swing, hope seems closer than ever.