On Aug. 10, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act into law. Also known as the PACT Act, this important piece of legislation also includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
How Will the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Help Veterans?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows those who were exposed to contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune to seek compensation via a lawsuit. Historically, members of the military have been prevented from taking legal action against the Department of Justice for injuries or illnesses sustained as a result of exposure to toxic substances or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during their years of service.
What Happened to Camp Lejeune’s Water?
From Aug. 1, 1953 to Dec. 31, 1987, Camp Lejeune’s drinking water was contaminated with toxic and carcinogenic substances that Marines and their families ingested, cooked with, and bathed in. As a result, those who were stationed or lived at Camp Lejeune have significantly higher rates of major illnesses and health conditions, including:
- Cancers
- Birth defects
- Neurological deficits
This landmark legislation creates a path for an estimated 900,000 people to recover compensation related to their illnesses. In addition to veterans and military service members, the following affected individuals may also file a claim:
- Family members who lived in enlisted-family housing or regularly visited the base
- Non-military base staff
- Contract workers
How Long Do I Have to File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?
You have a relatively limited period of time to file your Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. Starting today, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act only allows two years for you to take action.
Your first step will be to file an administrative claim, after which you may either be denied or given the approval to move forward with a lawsuit. Filing your administrative claim as soon as possible gives you time to request a reconsideration for a denied claim. There are also strict deadlines that you must meet once you begin the process, and the longer you wait to file, the less time you’ll have to collect evidence, provide relevant documentation, and secure expert witness testimony.
Now Is the Time to Take Action
Although Camp Lejeune is located in North Carolina, many of the men and women who previously served at the base have since been stationed elsewhere or left the military and moved back to their home states. Thomas Law Offices has convenient locations across four states, allowing us to represent clients nationwide.
If you were at Camp Lejeune for a period of at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987 and are now dealing with a serious health condition or illness, now is the time to act. Know that you have legal rights to seek and recover compensation that addresses your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and much more.
Do not wait to take action—contact Thomas Law Offices today by filling out our convenient online form or giving us a call. Our first meeting is always free, and there is never any obligation to partner with our law firm unless you feel comfortable and confident in our ability to advocate for you.
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