Camp Lejeune has been the site of a military legacy since September 1941. Over the years, the site has been a center for a number of combat units and support commands. It holds a very special place in the US Marine Corps history.
In 1982, the first formal government report came out that highlighted the dangerous levels of toxins in the waters of Camp Lejeune. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), service members, in excess of 900,000, may have come in contact with the contaminated water for a prolonged period of 30 years!
On August 2022, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 got passed as a law. It aims to provide the victims of Camp Lejeune’s water contamination a long-overdue legal relief.
What is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022?
The service members who devoted their lives to their country were blatantly let down by the government.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, a bipartisan bill, aims to cut through cumbersome legislative ordeals to ensure that anyone exposed to dangerous toxins, including the Marine dependents, government employees, and veterans, can have formal representations at the courts.
The Justice Act, which is a part of the Honoring Our PACT Act, is a significant advancement in ensuring that the victims and their families obtain the benefits and medical care they deserve. The proposed legislation offers cash recompense for medical care and disability benefits to anyone harmed by the Camp Lejeune water contamination.
The bill was necessary as it is a direct contradiction to the Feres Doctrine. The doctrine states that military personnel who sustain injuries while performing their duties are not eligible to sue the government as per the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA).
The measure also enhances accountability and supervision for military environmental health care policies. To safeguard military members and their families from contamination, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 stipulates periodical water quality assessments and notifications.
TorHoerman Law is a law firm that has been working to assist Camp Lejeune Lawsuit victims and obtain justice. The lawyers at Torhoerman Law have represented several Camp Lejeune victims.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination: A Brief Overview
Over a million Camp Lejeune residents were exposed to hazardous water for everyday use between 1953 and 1987. Veterans’ families, local laborers, and guests who stayed at the Camp for 30 days or longer were the most affected.
Toxins found in the Camp Lejeune waters include:
- Tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC)
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Vinyl Chloride
- Benzene
People developed illnesses like adult leukemia, aplastic anemia, bladder, kidney, and liver malignancies, as well as Parkinson’s disease, after being exposed to hazardous water for an extended period of time.
Water at Camp Lejeune became contaminated as a result of spills and leaks from subsurface storage tanks, landfills, and commercial establishments. Children at Camp Lejeune were more likely to have birth abnormalities and childhood illnesses like lymphoma, and neural tube disorders.
What Is Different In The Camp Lejeune Justice Act?
The claims are handled entirely differently than they have ever been in past litigations involving toxins and other dangerous chemicals.
Water pollution victims must first submit a claim to the Navy JAG.
The claim form highlights potential health problems connected to Camp Lejeune water contamination and includes a settlement demand intended to assure enough compensation for the harm suffered. Your lawyer can fill it out on your behalf too.
If you or your loved one are considering filing a claim, then it is necessary that you retrieve the pertinent medical records on time. If you are filing with the assistance of a law firm or legal representation, then disclosing your medical records to them might need you to go through a HIPAA release.
Veterans seeking their service records can also get in touch with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the National Personnel Records Centre (NPRC).
Conclusion
The federal government has a duty to look out for veterans, active duty personnel, and their families. But, at Camp Lejeune, thousands were exposed to tainted water for years on end. Those who were impacted have endured too much suffering, and they deserve justice.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 is a step in the right direction. The ignorant people in power can now be contested, argued, and held accountable.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.