Camp Lejeune has housed military members and their families since the 1940s. While the base is often well-respected, one blemish on its history has negatively impacted the health and livelihoods of millions of people: its water contamination scandal. Between the years 1953 and 1987, government officials at Camp Lejeune failed to correct, and then covered up, severe water contamination issues. For affected veterans, and their family members, here is a useful veteran’s guide to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act:
Where is Camp Lejeune?
Camp Lejeune is one of the most well-known military bases in the US and is located in North Carolina. The base is used to train members of the Marine Corps and is located in Jacksonville, within Onslow County. Since Camp Lejeune was officially founded in 1941, it’s been the home to millions of people Military members, family members, civilian contractors, and others who lived on the base during this period. Because the base has been around for such a long period, there is plenty of documentation that exists showcasing how it was run, and how the water contamination present on the base for several decades was actively covered up by government officials. These dangerous and illegal actions are what led Congress to finally pass the Camp Lejeune Justice Act recently.
What Groups are Affected by the Camp Lejeune Justice Act?
The sheer amount of people who lived at Camp Lejeune during the time water contamination was present is hard to fathom. With millions of people having been potentially affected, many people have a hard time recognizing whether or not they qualify for the Camp Lejeune Justice Act during this ongoing polluted water litigation. However, with an experienced attorney at your side, navigating the details of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act becomes much simpler. To keep it simple, however, any military member, family member of a military member, or civilian contractor who lived on the base for more than 30 days between 1953 and 1987 qualifies for the benefits laid out in the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Anyone who had their life upended by government negligence related to Camp Lejeune must receive the restitution that they deserve.
What was the Origin of Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune?
After investigations into the cause and origins of water contamination at Camp Lejeune were completed, it was determined that leaks from underground storage tanks, as well as toxic runoff from nearby waste disposal facilities, was to blame. These sources caused volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to enter into the water that people were using for cooking, bathing, and other daily activities. Harmful compounds, such as vinyl chloride, benzene, tetrachloroethylene, and more were discovered to be present in the contaminated water sources. Drinking water, however, was the most common way that Camp Lejeune residents found themselves exposed to VOCs daily.
What Lawsuit Options are Available for those Who Lived at Camp Lejeune?
There are no current class action lawsuits against the government for the Camp Lejeune water contamination scandal. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was just recently passed, after all. Currently, the majority of lawsuits have come from individuals who are contacting the government and looking to reach a settlement. Thankfully, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is set up in a way where individuals can often receive their settlements in a fairly quick fashion. If this remains the case for most cases, there will likely be no need for any type of larger, class action-style lawsuit against Camp Lejeune in the future.
What is the Average Settlement Amount for Camp Lejeune Justice Act Settlements?
Currently, there is no available estimate regarding the average settlement payout for Camp Lejeune Justice Act lawsuits. Many factors of each case are considered when a settlement amount is being determined, however. An individual’s medical conditions, the out-of-pocket medical costs they’ve suffered, and the severity of their conditions are all taken into account. That being said, Congress has already placed more than $2 billion into the budget for settlements under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
Consider Reaching out ASAP
The sooner you contact an attorney, or the US government, about the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, the better. Because $2 billion is currently allocated to help pay out these settlements, those who act quickly are likely to receive their settlement at a lightning-fast pace. With a settlement in their bank accounts, victims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination scandal will have the ability to reclaim their lives and handle their health concerns in a more dignified, effective fashion.
