The Camp Lejuene Justice Act of 2022 was introduced into the House of Representatives in March of 2021. This Act wanted to help the victims of the toxic water exposure in Camp Lejeune have the right to sue the federal government for damages.
Fortunately, the act was incorporated into the newly signed PACT act, which can help you if you want to know how to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. Below is everything you need to know about the PACT act and how to get started filing your lawsuit.
What is the PACT Act?
President Joe Biden recently signed the PACT Act into effect on August 8, 2022. The PACT act is also known as the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022.
The PACT expands the benefits to veterans and their survivors, and also want to help veterans who were exposed to deadly gases like agent orange. More importantly, the PACT act incorporates the Camp Lejeune Justice ACT of 2021, which allows people to sue for damages if they were injured by the toxic water of Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987.
What Does the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 Involve?
The Camp Lejuene Justice Act of 2022 was created to help victims exposed to toxic chemicals in the water of Camp Lejeune. These toxic chemicals included volatile compounds such as Trichloroethylene (TCE), Perchloroethylene (PCE), Benzene, and Vinyl chloride, among others.
These toxic compounds were released into drains by a nearby dry cleaning place, known as ABC Dry Cleaners. Eventually, these toxic chemicals seeped into the groundwater of surrounding areas, including the Camp Lejeune base. Two wells were impacted by the toxins, and these two wells provided water to daycare centers, hospitals, and even homes on the base.
Sadly, the effects of the toxins were so deadly and toxic, that the wells were shut down in 1987. By then, however, many people struggled with the effects of:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility
- Hepatic steatosis
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
If you suffered from one of the conditions listed here, or if you know someone who did, you or your loved one might be eligible to receive VA disability and file a lawsuit.
How Can I File For Compensation?
To file for compensation, you will first need to file for a VA disability claim. A disability claim will award you a certain percentage as compensation for your injuries and to help offset the costs of medical bills. The higher the percentage rating, the more money you will make monthly. A 100% disability rating usually awards around $3,500 a month.
If your claim is denied, or if you feel this is not enough compensation, you can then file a lawsuit with the help of a lawyer. A trained lawyer will gather evidence used in your VA disability claim and use it to create a new lawsuit. The settlement amount you win will be offset by any VA disability amounts.
