Camp Lejeune Water Contamination News and Updates
The water contamination at Camp Lejeune has affected many lives and caused devastation to countless veterans and their families.
The Camp Lejeune Claims Center is dedicated to sharing the latest Camp Lejeune news and updates so those impacted by the toxic water are aware of their rights and the compensation options available to them.
- Health impacts of the toxic water
- Lawsuit updates related to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (CLJA)
- Veterans benefits, including disability and health care
Our goals are twofold: (1) to provide clear, useful, and up-to-date information that veterans and their families can trust, and (2) to connect eligible victims across the nation with fully vetted and top-notch Camp Lejeune lawyers.
As of December 2023, we’ve already helped over 30,000 families with their Camp Lejeune claims.
Filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit will not affect current or future VA benefits. Find out if you are eligible right now with a free and simple claim review.
“Filing for relief under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 won’t affect your eligibility for VA disability or health care benefits.”
-U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Camp Lejeune Water and Veterans Health Issues
The U.S. government recognizes that over one million veterans and civilians could have been exposed to toxic chemicals in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune, resulting in cancer, neurological disorders, birth defects, and other serious health issues.
In some areas of the base, levels of contaminants were 400 times greater than acceptable safety standards, according to CBS News.
Because of this exposure, eligible veterans may be entitled to disability compensation and health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
However, as veterans know all too well, the VA denial rate for Camp Lejeune victims has been shameful, leaving many sick and dying with no financial relief.
While the VA only recognizes eight Camp Lejeune water contamination presumptive illnesses, experts have connected over 30 serious health conditions to the polluted water.
This is where Camp Lejeune lawsuits under the PACT Act come into play as a critical new pathway toward compensation.
Watch our short video explaining what the PACT Act could mean if you or a loved one developed health conditions after working or living at Camp Lejeune.
Learn what the recently signed PACT Act means for veterans and their loved ones stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987. View Transcript.
Duration: 01 min 51 sec
Camp Lejeune 101: What the PACT ACT means for Camp Lejeune 101 veterans. On August 10th, 2022, United States President Joe Biden signed the PACT ACT, a bill that offers the most significant increase in critical healthcare and disability benefits to millions of veterans in their families in more than three decades, but what does this bill specifically mean for veterans who are stationed at Camp Lejeune?
Between 1953 and 1987, nearby businesses were dumping hazardous chemicals that made their way into the Camp Lejeune water supply systems. The water contained toxins, such as benzene, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride, chemicals that can cause cancer, infertility, miscarriages, and other illnesses. Residents and staff were repeatedly exposed to the site’s tap water system, including drinking and bathing in the water.
The PACT Act includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, a bipartisan bill that allows veterans and their families who were exposed to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune to file lawsuits and recover compensation for the harm done. If you or your loved ones were exposed to the toxic drinking water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The Camp Lejeune Claim Center has been helping veterans and their families pursue compensation for their injuries. Call (866)-473-4764 today to request a free case review and see how we can help you too.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination VA Benefits
Camp Lejeune VA benefits are available to veterans and family members who were stationed at Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River.
The 2024 VA monthly disability rate ranges from $3,737.85 to over $4,000, with a 100% disability rating based on dependent status. Learn more below
- Lived or worked on base for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987
- Paid health care expenses for a qualifying health condition
- Were not dishonorably discharged
While VA benefits have provided a level of support to those affected, many feel they were not enough. Others have faced denials, locking them out of receiving desperately needed financial relief.
With the CLJA, veterans and their loved ones may now be eligible for legal compensation, even if they were denied VA benefits in the past or are currently receiving benefits.
Learn more about VA disability, health care, and survivor benefits below.
Camp Lejeune VA Disability Claims
Depending on your disability rating, you could be eligible to receive monthly disability payments from the VA. There are eight conditions that automatically qualify eligible Camp Lejeune veterans to access VA disability compensation.
These are the eight Camp Lejuene presumptive conditions:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia or other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
Here are several examples of 2024 disability ratings and their compensation amounts to give you an idea of what you could receive.
2024 Veterans Basic Monthly Disability Compensation Rates
| 30% Disability Rating | 50% Disability Rating | 100% Disability Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran alone (no dependents) | $524.31 | $1,075.16 | $3,737.85 |
| Veteran with spouse (no parents or children)* | $586.31 | $1,179.16 | $3,946.25 |
| Veteran with 1 child only (no spouse or parents)* | $565.31 | $1,144.16 | $3,877.22 |
| Veteran with 1 child and spouse (no parents)* | $632.31 | $1,255.16 | $4,098.87 |
| *Various added amounts may apply | |||
| Source: The United States Department of Veterans Affairs | |||
Camp Lejeune VA Health Care
Under the Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, veterans who served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, may be eligible to receive medical services (except dental care) from the VA at no cost.
This means if you have a covered condition, you won’t have to pay a copay to manage it.
The 15 Camp Lejeune conditions eligible for VA health care include:
- 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
Camp Lejeune Survivor Benefits
To receive Camp Lejeune survivor benefits, you must file a claim with the VA for Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
- DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
- Death certificate
- Housing records
- Medical records
- Orders showing service at Camp Lejeune
The VA will then make a service connection determination. Unfortunately, loved ones of Camp Lejeune victims are not always eligible to access survivor benefits through the VA.
Additionally, many veterans and their loved ones feel this is not enough to make up for the tragedies they experienced.
Under the CLJA, family members can also seek compensation from a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit.
Camp Lejeune VA Benefit Denials
The VA first allowed veterans to file Camp Lejeune disability claims in 2012. However, many veterans have faced repeated denials, causing tremendous hardship.
This is after the VA denied his claim despite seven doctors stating his pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer were linked to his service at Camp Lejeune in 1977.
Sadly, this is not an isolated case. Almost two dozen veterans contacted CBS News after it published a story on children who became ill at Camp Lejeune. The veterans came forward to describe a broken VA disability claims system.
Even if you were denied a Camp Lejeune disability claim in the past, our team can help you file a new VA claim — and work with you to pursue additional compensation through legal action if you’re eligible.
Contact the Camp Lejeune Claims Center today to have your case reevaluated.
PACT Act Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims
Camp Lejeune water contamination claims are a new pathway for veterans and their loved ones to seek financial relief. Filing these claims became an option due to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (part of the PACT Act).
Eligible individuals can file an administrative claim with the Navy seeking compensation from the federal government, unlike before when the only option was through limited (and frequently denied) VA benefits.
The Navy Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps has 180 days to make a decision on your claim.
Additionally, a streamlined voluntary option is offered to some toxic water victims called the Elective Option (EO). The EO offers tiered payouts that range from $100,000 to $550,000, depending on the type of illness and the duration of exposure to the contaminated water.
If you are not satisfied with your offer (or denial), or if the JAG does not respond at all, you can file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit against the federal government.
Working with a qualified Camp Lejeune lawyer is highly recommended to navigate this complex legal process. They can handle required documents and advise on the best steps. They can also make sure you meet the August 2024 deadline.
Legal Help for Camp Lejeune Veterans
Although the federal government has offered some support to the victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination, many believe it has not been enough, given the devastating impact of illnesses linked to the toxic water.
With the passage of the PACT Act and the CLJA, Camp Lejeune water contamination claims against the government can finally be filed. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates paying out more than $21 billion to eligible Camp Lejeune victims.
Even if you are already receiving VA benefits or were previously denied, you may now have new legal options for getting the justice and compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury after living or working at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, the team at the Camp Lejeune Claims Center is here 24/7 to help.
It is not too late to seek justice. Get a free claim review right now, or call (866) 473-4764 to learn more about your options.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Veterans Support FAQs
Does the VA help with Camp Lejeune water contamination?
Yes, the VA offers support to those affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination.
Veterans and their families diagnosed with specific health issues caused by the contamination can seek VA compensation and health care benefits.
They must have served at Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
How much are veterans getting from the Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
Veterans may expect to get anywhere from $10,000 to over $1 million per claim from the Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
The Navy and the Justice Department have offered expedited Elective Option (EO) payouts for some veterans, which range from $100,000 to $550,000.
Camp Lejeune settlements and payout timeline for veterans will depend on unique factors, such as diagnosis, severity of the condition, and how much time they spent on base.
Does the Camp Lejeune settlement affect VA benefits?
No, receiving money from a Camp Lejeune settlement under the PACT Act does not affect current or future VA benefits.
Money from each of these options for financial relief comes from completely separate governmental budgets.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated it will pay out over $21 billion in Camp Lejeune claims under the PACT Act.
The money is already set aside, and veterans are encouraged to file a claim and access their share before the August 2024 deadline.
How do I get compensated for Camp Lejeune water contamination?
Anyone seeking Camp Lejeune compensation under the PACT Act must first file an administrative claim with the Navy Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps.
The JAG Corps has 180 days to respond. If you are denied, or they do not respond in this time frame, you can file a civil lawsuit against the federal government in U.S. District Court in North Carolina.
While the process may seem complex, working with a skilled Camp Lejeune lawyer means they will handle the heavy lifting for you. And you don’t have to pay anything unless they successfully secure compensation for you.
Find out if the Camp Lejeune Claims Center can connect you with a top Camp Lejeune lawyer with a free claim review right now.
