Understanding the Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Bill

The Camp Lejeune military base was contaminated with industrial solvents, including carcinogens and perchloroethylene (PCE). According to government studies, this toxic water exposure left Marines and their families vulnerable to serious illness. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, also known as the Camp Lejeune toxic water bill, was enacted in August of 2022. This legislation, part of the Honoring Our PACT Act, allows victims to file civil lawsuits to receive compensation and VA benefits.

Impacts of Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune

From 1953 to 1987, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, was the site of dangerous chemical contamination. The drinking water system at the base was contaminated with many different chemicals, including TCE, PCE, benzene, and vinyl chloride, all of which can lead to harmful health conditions.

Studies show that certain illnesses and disabilities are linked to exposure to these chemicals at the Camp Lejeune base. However, not everyone exposed to these chemicals develops a condition; it depends on how long and how much of the chemical is consumed, as well as other factors such as age and gender. The Camp Lejeune toxic water bill compensates those presumptively diagnosed with an illness linked to Camp Lejeune’s drinking water contamination. Those still trying to determine their eligibility can speak with a skilled Camp Lejeune lawyer to determine if they have a valid claim.

The technical working group’s evaluation of the evidence included a review of comprehensive hazard evaluations of the chemicals of interest conducted by multiple bodies of scientific experts. VA is continuing its deliberative process of determining whether new scientific/medical evidence exists that would support presumptive service connection for any health condition or disability associated with exposure to the contaminants in the Camp Lejeune water supply.

Solutions

For many years, veterans who were affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune have been fighting for their entitled benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Recently, the Department of Veterans Affairs has introduced a new optional choice to expedite the claims process for eligible individuals.

In the early 1980s, it was discovered that two of the Marine Corps base’s water-supply systems were contaminated with the industrial solvents trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene. This caused many ailments in those exposed to the toxic water, including cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and other diseases.

Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Bill: Legal Requirements

You may be eligible for compensation if you or a loved one suffered from any health conditions linked to Camp Lejeune’s toxic water exposure.

The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxic Water Act of 2022 allows qualifying veterans and family members to pursue legal action for the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987.

To qualify for a Camp Lejeune toxic water claim, you must have served 30 days of active duty or the equivalent in the Reserves or National Guard between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. This period is based on the best estimates of when toxins contaminated the Camp Lejeune water supply.

If you fit the criteria above, you can pursue presumptive service connection for the eight listed disabilities. VA believes these conditions are directly linked to your toxic water exposure.

Compensation

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, passed last year as part of the PACT Act, created a legal pathway for veterans and family members to sue over the base’s contaminated water. Victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination may find filing a lawsuit less intimidating with the help of a skilled lawyer.

In the early 1980s, two water-supply systems at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune were found to be contaminated with industrial solvents like trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE). The facilities served residential areas such as enlisted-family housing and barracks for unmarried service personnel. As a result, the community exposed to the contaminated water was generally young and included many families and children.

To qualify for compensation under the law, claimants must have been diagnosed with a condition linked to their exposure to Camp Lejeune’s polluted drinking water or lost a loved one due to the toxins. Pregnant women and infants may be particularly susceptible to harm, as exposure to the contaminants can cause miscarriages or congenital disabilities.