Expected Wave of Camp Lejeune Lawsuits Begins

After a 2022 law expanded benefits for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their service, over 100 lawsuits have been filed over contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Experts expect the number to grow exponentially, with Bloomberg Law reporting that half a million veterans or their relatives who lived at Camp Lejeune may qualify to file a claim.

The government has acknowledged that the water at the North Carolina Marine Corps base contained dangerous toxins between 1953 and 1987. However, former Camp Lejeune residents have been historically unsuccessful in filing claims against the Navy for their resulting health problems. That may soon change thanks to the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act signed by President Biden last year.

What Is the PACT Act?

The PACT Act expands health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other dangerous substances. In addition, the law allows former Camp Lejeune residents to sue for toxic water exposure, a previously difficult task due to a doctrine shielding the government from injury lawsuits by military members. Before the PACT Act, the Navy had also denied Camp Lejeune claims because the statute of limitations had expired on toxic exposure occurring many years prior.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, a section of the PACT Act, opened a two-year window for veterans, dependents, and workers to seek damages for health issues they developed after their time on the base. According to Reuters, the JAG reports having already received around 20,000 administrative claims, a process required before filing a lawsuit. The claims window ends in August 2024.

Can I File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

For several decades, dangerous contaminants leaked into the Camp Lejeune water that residents used for drinking, cooking, and bathing. The toxic chemicals have been linked to a variety of medical conditions, including the following:

• Adult leukemia
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Bladder cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
• Parkinson’s disease

If you or a family member developed one of these diseases or another serious illness after spending time at the base, you may qualify for financial compensation. Eligibility requirements for Camp Lejeune lawsuits typically include the following:

• Must have developed a serious health condition related to the toxic exposure.
• Must have lived, worked, or otherwise been present at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987.
• Must have spent at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune during this period.
• Must file any claims by August 10, 2024.

Can a Water Contamination Lawyer Help Me?

An experienced attorney can evaluate your Camp Lejeune case and help you decide the best way to move forward. At Altman & Altman LLP, we have been representing people harmed by hazardous substances for decades. Our skilled toxic exposure lawyers can help you seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and even the wrongful death of a loved one.

The two-year period to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit ends on August 10, 2024. Because complicated medical cases take time to organize, the sooner you contact us, the better we can prepare your case. So schedule a free consultation today with one of our knowledgeable Boston toxic water lawyers.