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October 11th, 2022
You may have seen or heard ads on TV, the radio, or the internet about military service personnel or their families who have been diagnosed with cancers or other conditions being eligible for compensation if they served at Camp Lejeune. For those who might be interested in pursuing such claims, here is a brief primer on some of the more commonly asked questions our firm is being asked.
What are these cases all about?
Congress recently passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, allowing veterans, their family members, and others who were stationed, worked or resided on the Marine Corps Base at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to recover money damages for certain injuries or diseases they can show were caused by their exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
What was in that water?
For decades, the drinking water and water used on base at Camp Lejeune was polluted with a number of disease-causing, chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbon chemicals including things like benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), and perchloroethylene (PCE), among others.
What type of condition do I need to have to have a case?
Generally speaking, qualifying health conditions include certain types of cancers and/or the other conditions listed below:
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Qualifying Cancers: Adult Leukemia Aplastic Anemia Bladder Cancer Breast Cancer Cervical Cancer Esophageal Cancer Kidney Cancer Liver Cancer Lung Cancer Lymphomas Multiple Myeloma
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Myelodysplastic Syndromes Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Pancreatic Cancer Prostate Cancer Rectal Cancer |
Other Qualifying Conditions:
Birth Defects Cardiac Defects Female Infertility Hepatic Steatosis Miscarriage Parkinson’s Disease Renal Toxicity Scleroderma |
When and how long did I have to be at Camp Lejeune to have a case?
Service members or their families who were on base at Camp Lejeune for at least thirty (30) days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, and sustained injuries due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune can make a claim for financial compensation.
If I meet these criteria, do I get automatically paid?
No, unfortunately, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act does not entitle anyone to automatic recovery. A qualifying service member must prove their case to receive any recovery.
Do I even need a lawyer for my case?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act requires claimants to establish a connection between their illness/injuries and the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during the requisite period. This will likely require expert medical witnesses who can credibly explain this connection and a lawyer to navigate that process.
