Recovering Compensation After Being Injured at Camp Lejeune
The Camp Lejeune water contamination cases occurred from the 1950s to the 1980s. The toxic chemicals in the drinking water affected over a million people who served at the camp during that time. The legislation provides benefits to veterans and their families who were exposed to contaminated drinking water while stationed at Camp Lejeune. The benefits include health care and disability benefits for veterans and their families.
The new legislation is a step in the right direction for those who were affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The legislation was necessary to ensure that those who served at the camp when contamination was present would be able to get compensation for the many injuries the contaminated water caused. Additional legislation in 2022 enabled military personnel to file a lawsuit against the government, something that was not permissible before.
What Happened at Camp Lejeune?
Contaminated drinking water was first discovered at Camp Lejeune in the 1980s. The contaminated water was caused by industrial chemicals that were used on the base, and it resulted in health problems for those who were exposed to it. The contaminated water affected many people who served at the camp, and it has been linked to health problems such as cancer, liver disease, birth defects and many others.
Who Is Eligible for Benefits?
The 2012 legislation provides benefits to all veterans and their families who were exposed to contaminated drinking water while stationed at Camp Lejeune. The benefits include health care and disability benefits for veterans and their families.
To be eligible for benefits, you must have been there for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987. You must also have a health condition that has been linked to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
If you think you may be eligible for benefits, you should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more about the process.
Legislation Passed in 2022
The water contamination victims at the camp have not been able to seek justice until 2022. That is because up until this time the military was unable to file a lawsuit against the government. It was due to a North Carolina law that blocked lawsuits. However, in March 2022, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. During the Senate’s June 2022 session, the PACT Act included this provision to care for injured servicemen and their families. This bill gives military members and veterans and their families the right to sue the government.
Cases Involved in the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
There are many contaminated water cases that have been filed in the courts because of the government’s negligence. These water contamination injury cases are still working their way through the courts, and it is unclear how long it will take for them to be resolved.
Get a Free Consultation With the Diaz Law Firm Today
If you or your family has been injured because of water contamination at Camp LeJeune, please call the Diaz Law Firm for a free consultation. We can be reached at (800) 459-2222. Helping the injured is what we do. It’s all we do.
If you would like to discuss your potential case with our team, please do not hesitate to call us. You don’t pay us anything unless we recover compensation for you, as we work on a contingency fee basis. The Diaz Law Firm represents clients throughout the country.