Those who have suffered health consequences caused due to exposure to contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune may be entitled to Camp Lejeune contaminated water compensation under the recent Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022. Veterans who suffered or are still suffering severe health problems will be given approximately $6.7 billion in funding. Veterans may get their fair share in damages through a settlement.
A contaminated drinking water source at Camp Lejeune and the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina may have caused illnesses, including cancer, typhoid, and mental illnesses. Military service associated with exposure to these contaminants can lead to certain diseases in the future. Veterans with a current diagnosis of one of the conditions listed by the VA may be eligible for disability benefits.
Settlement For Camp Lejeune Water Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for disability benefits, two of the following conditions must be met:
- Served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 cumulative days — between August 1953 and December 1987
- Lived in Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days while a family member was serving
- Has not been discharged dishonorably
It is also necessary for you to be diagnosed with at least one of the following presumptive conditions:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
Who’s Covered Under The Law For Settlement
The following groups of people and their families are covered under the Honoring Our PACT Act 2022:
- Veterans
- Reservists
- Guardsmen
- Civilians
These service members and their families will automatically be eligible to receive the following remedial services:
- Health care
- Compensation (Camp Lejeune settlement amounts)
How To Get Camp Lejeune Compensation
When filing a Camp Lejeune settlement claim, you will need to provide the following evidence (supporting documents):
- Military records showing at least 30 days of active duty or National Guard or Reserve service at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River between August 1953 and December 1987
- Documents showing you have at least one of the eight presumptive conditions listed by the VA
Steps Of Filing A Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit
A lawsuit against Camp Lejeune must be filed within two years of President Biden’s signing of the Honoring Our PACT Act on August 10, 2022. A water contamination lawsuit can be filed against Camp Lejeune by following these steps:
1. Prove You Were At Camp Lejeune When Contamination Occurred
If you lived, worked, or were present at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, you must have been there for at least 30 consecutive days (it does not have to be consecutive). A copy of your military records, work documentation, an affidavit, etc., will be required.
2. Provide Documentation Of The Illness
You must present medical records indicating that you or a family member developed a presumptive illness caused by Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water.
3. Make A Claim With The VA
Veterans Affairs (VA) allows you to file a disability claim in one of three ways:
- Visit VA.gov to file a claim
- Get help from accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs)
- Go to a VA regional office
4. Await The VA’s Decision
A VA claim was typically processed in 125.3 days before Biden signed the PACT Act in July 2022. If you are interested in finding a lawyer who accepts Camp Lejeune water contamination cases, now is the perfect time to do so.
5. Consult An Attorney
Whenever you receive a denial from the VA, you should file a lawsuit. You should choose a lawyer with solid client reviews and schedule a free consultation. An initial consultation should not cost you anything.
6. File A Lawsuit
Your chosen lawyer will help you file a lawsuit and fight for you until you get the compensation you deserve.
Getting Benefits As A Family Member
As a family member, you must file a claim for Camp Lejeune settlement along with the supporting documentation.
All of the following evidence must be provided:
- Present a marriage license, birth certificate, or adoption papers to prove that you are related to the veteran who served on active duty for at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune
- Proof that you lived at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987 — utility bills, housing records, military orders, or tax returns
- Documents proving you have one of the 15 conditions listed above (along with the date the illness was diagnosed and the treatment you are receiving or have received for the condition)
You will need to show that you paid health care expenses during one of the following periods for the condition you are claiming.
Providing a VA Form 10-10068b may be necessary. Before you send this to VA, you will need your doctor’s signature. Although this form isn’t required, it can provide them with important information to help determine your eligibility.
Get Help From A Disability Attorney
It can be very difficult to file a lawsuit in federal court and pursue a Camp Lejeune drinking water settlement on your own without the help of an experienced lawyer. It is easier to focus on your health and your family when you work with reputed disability lawyers who can handle the legal process and pursue Camp Lejeune settlements on your behalf. Lawyers and legal teams typically do the following:
- Assist you in understanding your legal options and the process in general
- Obtain medical records, testimony, and other evidence necessary to support your claim
- Get your compensation by filing a legal claim
- Identify and negotiate Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts
- Present your case in court, if necessary
Disability Benefits For Camp Lejeune Service Members
A veteran entitled to disability benefits should not have been dishonorably discharged. Several illnesses are eligible for disability benefits, including bladder cancer, kidney cancer, aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, Parkinson’s disease, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
If you lived or worked at the base during the qualifying periods and suffered from any severe health problem (including cancer not mentioned above), you may still qualify for healthcare under the CCLFA if you can demonstrate that your diagnosis and difficulties were likely caused by exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune.
Even if primary conditions are resolved or effectively treated, secondary health complications are possible due to toxic exposure. For instance, liver cancer caused by toxic exposure can impair liver function. A patient may need to prove its relation to a chemical exposure-related condition in order to receive VA care for such a secondary condition.
Conclusion
Veterans and their family members who lived at Camp Lejuene now face the detrimental health adversities associated with the site’s contaminated water. There have been legislations over the course of decades that allow the victims to sue the government for benefits and cash settlement for Camp Lejeune water poisoning. Disability claims are expected to pour in over the coming months and years. The best thing affected veterans and their families can do is prepare in advance to claim the compensation they deserve.
If you are considering filing a Camp Lejeune claim, you must seek the advice and representation of a qualified attorney as soon as possible. Are you interested in learning more? Check out our article about the Camp Lejeune contaminated water lawsuit timeline.
