Eligibility to file a claim or lawsuit as a Camp Lejeune toxic exposure victim
One of the most severely contaminated sites at Camp Lejeune was the Tarawa Terrace military housing area, where toxic chemicals improperly disposed of by ABC One-Hour Cleaners, a dry-cleaning firm, were lurking.
Furthermore, Hadnot Point was contaminated with dangerous chemicals from multiple sources, such as leaking underground storage tanks, industrial area spills, and leakage from a toxic waste dump.
According to researchers, the level of toxic chemicals polluting the environment of Camp Lejeune was between 240 and 3,400 times higher than the safe limit. Over one million military personnel and their family members were stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, numerous of whom came to struggle with terrible health problems as a result of toxic exposure. Below are the eligibility criteria for veterans and the family members stationed with them at this military base.
We encourage veterans, reservists, and guardsmen who have been stationed at Camp Lejeune and developed a disease to contact our attorneys.
They will help file an injury claim and a VA claim so that you can receive the maximum financial compensation you are entitled to, as well as VA benefits.
However, to qualify for filing a Camp Lejeune toxic water claim or a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, you must meet the following eligibility criteria as a former military member:
- you must have been stationed at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987
- you must have spent at least 30 consecutive days at Camp Lejeune during that period
- you must have one of the diagnoses on this page or one of the presumptive diagnoses below
- you must retrieve your military records and your medical records, which will serve as evidence
- you must not have received a dishonorable discharge from the military
At the moment, roughly 38,769 family members of military personnel live at Camp Lejeune. We know that money cannot offer a cure for the serious, often life-threatening health problems these people came to struggle with as a result of toxic exposure. Still, we advise family members to take legal action, too, as the financial compensation they can receive will make access to quality healthcare and treatment significantly easier. These are the eligibility criteria they must meet to file a Camp Lejeune toxic water claim or a VA claim:
- you must have been stationed at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987
- you must have spent at least 30 consecutive days at Camp Lejeune during that period
- you must have one of the diagnoses on this page or one of the presumptive diagnoses below
- you must retrieve your medical records, which must clearly explain the link between your diagnosis and toxic exposure
- you must provide us with proof of having lived at Camp Lejeune, such as utility bills, base housing records, military orders, or tax forms
- you must send our attorneys a document proving your relationship to the veteran whom you were stationed with, such as a marriage license, birth certificate, or adoption papers
These are the dangerous chemicals that were present at Camp Lejeune during the last century:
- trichloroethylene (TCE)
- perchloroethylene (PCE)
- vinyl chloride
- benzene
- halogenated hydrocarbons
- trihalomethanes
- PFOA
- PFOS
These are the presumptive diagnoses for which you can file a claim:
Diseases you can develop following toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune & estimated treatment costs
Because the chemicals at Camp Lejeune are highly toxic to the human body, people who were exposed are now at great risk of developing a serious, even fatal disease as a result of exposure.
If you notice a new onset of symptoms and were stationed at Camp Lejeune as a soldier or as a family member, please seek medical attention immediately, as you may have already developed a disease.
The following are the diseases and health issues associated with exposure to the toxic agents present at Camp Lejeune. Keep in mind that these are estimated costs, and thereby, you may have to pay more or less, depending on factors such as the severity of your disease. The list contains the presumptive diagnoses and other possible afflictions as well:
When it comes to cancer, misdiagnosis is very common, as the symptoms of the disease often resemble the signs of more common and less serious health problems. For this reason, we strongly advise you to seek a second opinion from a medical specialist, as you may have received a wrong diagnosis. Not only will a correct diagnosis qualify you for recovering compensation by filing a Camp Lejeune toxic water claim or lawsuit, but it will also help you receive timely and appropriate treatment for your health problem.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021
The bill known as the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 was proposed by Congressman Matt Cartwright on March 26, 2021, to "provide for recovery by individuals who were stationed, lived, or worked at Camp Lejeune, for certain actions of omissions by the United States." On August 11, 2022, it was signed into law by President Joe Biden, allowing everyone who spent time at the military base between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, for at least 30 consecutive days to obtain financial compensation from the government. By virtue of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, veterans and civilians can now file a claim in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina to obtain adequate relief for harm which:
- was caused by exposure to the water;
- was associated with exposure to the water;
- was linked to exposure to the water; or
- exposure to the water increased the likelihood of harm.
Furthermore, the new law prevents the U.S. from asserting immunity from any lawsuit filed by people who lived at Camp Lejeune and have one of the qualifying diagnoses. It is also important to note that punitive damages cannot be awarded under this law and that veterans can seek compensation both from the VA and from the government. According to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, the statute of limitations to file a claim is 2 years from the moment the individual received their diagnosis. Finally, the bill prohibits a person who files a claim under it from bringing a separate tort action against the United States based on the same harm. Shortly after it became effective, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 became part of the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022.
Testimonials of people who developed serious diseases as a consequence of staying at Camp Lejeune
Since over 1 million people and their family members were exposed to the toxic agents present at Camp Lejeune over a period of 30 years, numerous of these individuals sought financial compensation for the awful, even life-threatening diseases they came to struggle with, including from our law firm. The following are only some of the cases our skillful attorneys have pursued so far to recover fair compensation for veterans and their family members.
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