The Camp Lejeune Justice Act Has Given Long Overdue Legal Recourse For Those Sickened At Camp Lejeune, But Misinformation About The Bill Remains
CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA (August 29, 2022) – On Wednesday, August 10, 2022, President Biden signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act into law.
The water at Camp Lejeune was poisoned by industrial pollutants and other chemicals for over 20 years before anyone completely understood what was going on. People who lived and worked at the base were becoming seriously ill and developing all sorts of cancers.
However, none of those people who became ill were ever able to have their day in court due to an obscure statute of repose law in North Carolina. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act removes this procedural barrier.
It allows all people who lived, worked or stayed at the base from August 1, 1953 through December 31, 1987 to file civil claims if they became ill. However, there is a lot of misinformation that has cropped up on the internet in response to the bill being signed.
MYTH: Hiring an attorney and pursuing a civil claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act could cost you money.
FACT: The personal injury attorneys helping Camp Lejeune victims work on a contingency fee basis. It does not cost anything to hire an attorney and they only get paid if they are able to successfully resolve your claim. Their pay comes out of any potential settlement or jury verdict. The person pursuing a claim does not pay anything out of pocket.
MYTH: Veterans who are eligible for disability payouts and VA health care may lose benefits if they sue the government and win.
FACT: Filing a Camp Lejeune Claim will not affect your VA benefits or make you ineligible for benefits down the road. Instead, the size of the settlement or verdict that you receive could be offset by the benefits you have already received from the VA.
MYTH: It is better to file a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs than to pursue a lawsuit under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
FACT: It is possible to file a claim with the VA and pursue a lawsuit under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. You can pursue both options at the same time.
Have you or someone that you care about suffered illness or death after being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. You may have legal recourse with the passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Our team of veteran’s rights advocates at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that veterans get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any guidance after being exposed to contaminated water we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
