Over a million service members, military families and civilians were exposed to contaminated water at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina. On August 10, 2022 The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 was signed into law by President Joe Biden and they won the right to sue for death and disease caused by the toxic water. The Act allows veterans to file civil lawsuits against the Government for harm caused by exposure to toxic water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune from August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987. The Act stops the U.S. Government from claiming immunity. The Act was folded into a broader law “Honoring our PACT Act of 2022” that enhances health care and disability claims for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.
Tennessee Camp Lejeune Justice Act Lawyer George Angelopoulos works with national law firms to evaluate claims for veterans, civilian contractors or family members who resided or were worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 days+ and were diagnosed with cancer, neurological disorders or other illnesses. Start your free Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuit consultation by calling 615-422-7171 today.
If you are already receiving VA medical benefits or other compensation caused by Camp Lejeune water, you still qualify for filing a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
Tennessee Camp Lejeune Justice Act Lawsuits
The Act provides individuals (or survivors) who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune the right to file civil lawsuits in the Eastern District of North Carolina to seek damages for injuries caused by the contaminated water. Before filing their lawsuit all claimants to go through a 6-month administrative claim process. Filing a Camp Lejeune Justice Act Lawsuit in Tennessee requires an administrative claim process review process followed by the North Carolina Federal Court Lawsuit. Camp Lejeune Justice Act Attorney George Angelopoulos is working with Law Firms in North Carolina and across the country to seek compensation under the Act. The vast majority of claimants will not travel to North Carolina to enforce their rights.
In typical lawsuits against the Navy, this administrative claim process is a formality. Administrative claims are usually denied then the claimants file a lawsuit. Camp Lejeune claims will be different. We believe the administrative claims will act as settlement mediation reasonable settlement offers will be made to claimants who pass initial screening. A large number of claimants may accept settlement offers during the administrative claim process and never go to trial.
Why are Camp Lejeune Justice Act Lawsuits different? The purpose of Congress passing the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was to ensure that victims of Lejeune water contamination can get compensation for valid injuries. President Joe Biden’s administration will ultimately be in charge of the claims process and President Biden strongly supports compensating deserving veterans.
Camp Lejeune Justice Act Timeline
Below is a chronology of events that led to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and the Camp Lejeune class action lawsuit:
1941: Camp Lejeune Marine Corps military base established.
1951: Camp Lejeune builds the Tarawa Terrace water well.
1953: One Hour Dry Cleaner opens across the street. Investigations later show that the dry cleaner allowed tons of toxic chemicals to contaminate the water at Camp Lejeune.
1979: The Hadnot Point Fuel Farm reportedly leaks 20,000 – 30,000 gallons of oil into the ground.
1984: An outside contractor finds TCE, PCE and benzene at the Hadnot Point Water Well.
1985: All open Hadnot Point wells are closed.
1989: Camp Lejeune and ABC One Hour Cleaners are identified as Superfund sites by the EPA.
1990: PCP is the greatest cause of injury, death, and birth defects from Camp Lejeune according to the CDC.
2008: President Bush requires the Navy to further investigate injuries and deaths from contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.
2016: Over 800 Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act are dismissed based on North Carolina’s 10-year statute of repose.
2018: Appeals of the dismissal of the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits are exhausted with no compensation to veterans.
2021: The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 is introduced as a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives and never gets past committee review.
January 2022: The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (CLJA) is introduced in the House by Congressmen Matt Cartwright (D. North Carolina) along with 16 co-sponsors. The co-sponsors include 10 Democrats and 6 Republicans from 8 different states.
February 2022: The CLJA is combined into a larger bill called the Honoring Our Pact Act of 2021 which addresses health care benefits, and other resources for veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service.
March 2022: The House of Representatives passes the CLJA (as part of the Honoring Our Pact Act) and the bill goes to the Senate.
May 2022: Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida issues a press release publicly announcing his strong support for the CLJA and urging his fellow Senators to vote of passing the CLJA as part of the Honoring Our Pact Act.
June 2022: Senate passes an amended version of the CLJA as part of the PACT Act.
July 2022: The House accepts the Sentates amendments to the PACT Act.
August 2022: President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act / Camp Lejeune Justice Act into law.
Camp Lejeune Compensation
$6.7 Billion Allotted to Camp Lejeune Settlements
Unlike typical class action lawsuits, settlement amounts to compensate victims will involve politics instead of projected jury compensation payouts. There is no insurance and no possibility of bankruptcy as compared to claims against corporate entities. One view of the settlement amount: The government has allocated $6.7 billion to pay Camp Lejeune settlement amounts and jury payouts. This number will change, but it is a strong starting point for the Justice Department when it starts offering Camp Lejeune Justice Act Compensation. The key question is how many Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claims will be filed and how much additional money will be needed to adequately address injuries?
It is to early to estimate how much compensation anyone will receive. A range of settlements from over $1 million per person to as little as $25,000 is expected. Cancer and Parkinson’s disease claims should result in higher settlement amounts compared to those who are not physically harmed and only require medical monitoring. Political Pressure is mounting to Raise Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Payouts and adequately compensate the Veterans who defended our country.
How a Camp Lejeune Justice Act Lawyer Can Help
If you meet the criteria below then call 615-422-7171. You defended our country and now it is our turn to defend your rights.
- You served, lived, or worked on the Camp Lejeune base for 30 days+ between 1953 and 1987.
- You have been diagnosed with: bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, leukemia, colon cancer multiple myeloma, lymphoma, or other cancer or Parkinson’s disease, some other neurologic condition.
Camp Lejeune Cancer Lawyers help veteran and their families. In addition to Camp Lejeune toxic water lawsuits we are also representing military personnel seeking compensation for hearing loss due to 3M earplugs. Your initial consultation is free, and there are no fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.