Hundreds of people have been at risk of severe diseases and cancer over contaminated water at North Carolinas U.S Marine Core Base Camp Lejeune. Two wells at the camp between 1953 and 1987 were contaminated with chemicals believed to cause serious illnesses, including cancer.
These wells posed a significant danger to the schools and homes they served water in the army base. Around fifteen diseases affected the people who came into contact with the water at the camp. For decades, the occupants consumed the contaminated liquid without being aware of the toxin exposure. It'd be wise to learn about the Camp Lejeune Pact Act to be sure if you qualify for the Act.
Defining the Camp Lejeune Justice Act
President Joe Biden signed The PACT Act in 2022 on August 10th and gave the right to file for a claim to families harmed. Those exposed to industrial solvents, benzene, and other harmful chemicals have the right to claim against the government, provided they can prove it. For the damages and suffering caused by the contaminated water at the camp, filing a lawsuit is the only way to get compensation.
Do I Qualify?
For the Marines and their families to get government funding, they must have spent at least 30 days in the camp between 1953 and 1988. Anybody who developed any illness between the stated years in their stay at the camp is eligible to file a lawsuit.
A victim of the contamination should seek legal counsel to increase their chances of getting worthy compensation. If the VA previously denied the claim, you can file for damages. Other instances that make one eligible for the claim include:
- Worked and lived at Camp Lejeune
- Toxicants and carcinogens exposure
- Suffering from serious illnesses or cancer
How to File for the Camp Lejeune Act
Determining whether the claim should be filed is the first step in filing a claim. All the instances above should be met for the claim to be accepted. Gathering evidence showing the eligibility of the demands is the second step. This evidence can include records of the military indicating a person and their family were at the camp.
The formal administrative process is the third step in filing a claim, often known as Form 95. The victim must declare everything underwent and experienced, including means of exposure to the illnesses. The government then has 180 days to decide whether a victim is eligible for benefits.
A formal complaint to the federal court is the next step in filing a claim. A lawsuit begins with a complaint, with the government being the defendant. The final step involves proving that the government should make the benefit payment using gathered evidence.
Some of the conditions some victims suffered were life-threatening, leading to permanent disabilities and death. The following damages victims can claim include:
- Victims may seek compensation equivalent to their total medical cost if they've suffered from an illness or lost a family member.
- Pain and suffering were common effects of exposure to contaminated water, including neurological pain, chemotherapy discomfort, and various treatments.
- Contamination victims eventually became ill, and most lost their sources of income due to reduced earning power, thus causing professional damages and financial constraints.
- Wrongful deceased benefits the surviving family members of a victim of the water contamination at the camp.
Victims and families of the water contamination at Camp Lejeune have suffered for too long without government intervention. Since the signing of the PACT Act, all families and veterans affected can get compensation from the government for the loss and pain caused. It has become an enormous aid to families suffering substantial financial and emotional burdens due to water contamination.
