How Much Compensation Is Allocated for Camp Lejeune Victims?
In this country, we honor and respect our veterans and military families. We want them to have the best health care and to ensure our service members are cared for if they’re injured while serving. Unfortunately, for military families stationed at Camp Lejeune for more than 30 years, that care has taken a long time to arrive. If you and your family were stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 to 1987, you might have been exposed to contaminated water on the base. But fortunately, you may now be able to seek compensation for any injuries you’ve suffered.
What Is the Camp LeJeune Justice Act?
Until recently, service members suffering from illnesses related to their exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune didn’t have any recourse. While most people can sue the U.S. government for injuries caused by federal agencies under the Federal Tort Claims Act, that isn’t the case for military service members. Under a legal doctrine known as the Feres Doctrine, service members and their families couldn’t sue the federal government for injuries sustained in the line of duty.Finally, in 2022 Congress decided to rectify the situation, passing the Honoring our PACT Act, which contained the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. The Honoring Our PACT Act now permits injured veterans and their families to make disability claims and to file claims to recover for damages caused by exposure to contaminated water. A second federal statute, the Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, also allows families to seek compensation for health care related to their contaminated water exposure.
How Much Money Did Congress Allocate?
Under the CLJA, Congress earmarked approximately $6.7 billion in funding. You now have two years from the date the President signed the CLJA into law, August 10, 2022, to file a claim. You may be able to file if you:
- “Resided, worked, or were otherwise exposed (including in utero)” to Camp Lejeune’s water for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and
- Have a medical diagnosis related to contaminated water exposure.
Hire an Expert in Tort Claims
If you or your family were exposed to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water and suffered a chronic health condition, you may be able to file a compensation claim. However, you’ll need an attorney experienced in handling these type claims. The experienced attorneys at the Madeksho Law Firm have been managing similar claims and lawsuits for years, and they can help you too. Give us a call at 1-888-910-6376 or contact us online. Your first consultation is always free, and you won’t pay a fee unless we recover money on your behalf.
