The Camp Lejeune Justice Act has now been signed into law, allowing veterans, military families, and staff who were exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune between August 1953–December 1987 the ability to recover millions of dollars in compensation. Individuals exposed in-utero may also be eligible. An estimated 900,000 veterans, family members and nearby civilians may have been exposed to unsafe drinking water due to toxic chemicals at Camp Lejeune. The water contamination is linked to industrial spills, underground storage tanks, and an off-base dry cleaner and associated with a variety of health conditions.
To be eligible you must have been exposed to contaminated water between Aug. 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1987 for at least 30 days and suffered from cancer or another serious health matter as a result of the exposure. Associated conditions may include:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Miscarriages
- Other conditions
The statute of limitations for filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit is generally two years from the date the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 was passed. The Act also states that if your original claim for compensation was denied, you have 180 days from the Act’s passing to take legal action. President Biden signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 into law on August 10, 2022.
This means the Act gives people until August 10, 2024, to demand damages if their illness is linked to Camp Lejeune’s water. Failure to file your case before the deadline expires may disqualify you from eligibility for compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022.
Damages you Can You Recover in Camp Lejeune Cases:
There is a range of damages you could recover if you are suffering an illness because of toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune. Any economic losses you suffered because of your condition may be recoverable. Examples of recoverable economic losses include:
- Medical bills or any long-term medical expenses related to treatment
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
You could also demand non-economic damages for exposure to the base’s toxic water supply. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
In severe cases, the medical complications from exposure to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water supply can result in permanent disability or even death. If your loved one died because of an illness related to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water, you may also be able to demand wrongful death damages.