Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022

What Is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows veterans, their family members, and civilian workers who may have been exposed to toxic chemicals through the water at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune to file a lawsuit for financial compensation.

Prior to the bill, victims and their families were not allowed to sue for medical issues linked to Camp Lejeune water contamination.

This act was a part of a larger bill known as the PACT Act, which was signed into law in August 2022.

The Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act — also known as the PACT Act — was created in order to significantly improve the health care and disability benefits for veterans who were injured by the toxic chemicals during military service.

This includes health issues stemming from military burn pits, clean-up sites with high levels of radiation, and more.

Additional benefits within the bill include: 

• Ensuring that staff members of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) who manage screenings, such as lab testing and specimen collection, are well-trained
• Expanding screenings and treatment services for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals like the ones in the water at Camp Lejeune
• Redefining and reevaluating the approach applied to verify exposure to toxins

This bipartisan bill was approved in the Senate by a vote of 86-11, and it was officially signed into law by President Biden on August 10, 2022.

Camp Lejeune Justice Act Signing

While the PACT Act offers benefits and protections to veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals during their military service, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act specifically refers to those who were affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

"It’s estimated 1 million U.S. Marine veterans, their families, as well as civilian workers on the base may have been poisoned by contaminated water and experienced severe medical issues like cancer, miscarriages, or birth defects from drinking, bathing, and cooking with the water there."
– Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law

The act states that those who spent more than 30 days on base between August 1953 and December 1987 may be able to recover damages for the harm they endured due to the contaminated water.

"Our veterans and their families knew they signed up to make the ultimate sacrifice in war to defend our freedoms — but did not expect to be poisoned by our own government. I am relieved that these individuals will finally be able to seek justice, after years of having no remedy," Ricky added.

It’s not too late to seek justice. Even if you or your loved one suffered injuries years ago, you may now be able to take legal action and pursue compensation thanks to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

What Happened at Camp Lejeune: Water Bill & Toxic Chemical Lawsuit

For over 30 years, Camp Lejeune residents used the site’s tap water system to drink or bath without knowing they were being exposed to toxic chemicals in the process.

Nearly 45 years after the contaminated wells on base were shut down, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 recognizes these harms and allows those who suffered from the toxic water to seek justice and compensation — even though the exposure took place decades ago.

Who Can File a Claim Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was created to provide benefits to those who were directly exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and those who lost loved ones due to exposure.

You may be eligible for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit if you or your family member:

• Resided or worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987
• Spent at least 30 days on base (consecutively or nonconsecutively)
• Developed a health issue as a result of exposure to the water at Camp Lejeune

Even if your family member passed away decades ago, you may still be able to file a lawsuit on their behalf. These are known as Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuits.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Health Issues

Numerous medical issues and illnesses have been directly connected to exposure to the chemicals found in the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

Some of the health issues linked to Camp Lejeune water contamination include:

• Aplastic anemia
• Birth defects
• Bladder cancer
• Brain cancer
• Breast cancer
• Cardiac defects
• Colorectal cancer
• Dental issues
• Esophageal cancer
• Heart attacks
• Infertility
• Kidney cancer
• Kidney disease
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Miscarriage
• Multiple myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Parkinson’s disease
• Prostate cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Sarcoma

Please note: This list of Camp Lejeune diseases and medical issues is not exhaustive. Many additional health problems may be linked to water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

Those who served our country did not expect to face serious danger while on base preparing their meals, taking a shower, or washing their clothes. However, the chemicals that contaminated the water supply at Camp Lejeune made everyday tasks incredibly harmful.

How to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

When you work with Sokolove Law, we strive to make filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit as stress-free as possible for you and your family.

If you have a case, our Camp Lejeune attorneys can handle every step of the legal process for you, so you can focus on your health and recovery.

1. Contact Sokolove Law

At Sokolove Law, we can help determine if you may be eligible to file a claim. Our team will ask you questions about your story and listen to how the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has impacted you and your loved ones.

2. Build Your Case

An attorney will help you to build a strong case by gathering evidence like medical bills, medical records, and military service records. Our team can figure out what’s needed and help you find it when the time comes.

3. File Your Water Contamination Lawsuit

Our attorneys will file the Camp Lejeune water lawsuit on your behalf. By working with an experienced legal team, you can get help ensuring that all necessary deadlines are met and the paperwork for your case is properly submitted.

Those impacted by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune only have until August 2024 to file a lawsuit, so it is important to contact a Camp Lejeune Justice Act lawyer as soon as possible.

4. Negotiate a Camp Lejeune Settlement

Your attorney may be able to negotiate a Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amount with the defendant on your behalf.

However, if a settlement is unable to be reached, your attorney can present your case in court before a judge and jury, who will hear your case and decide how much compensation — if any — you may receive.

Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Settlements

To settle Camp Lejeune claims, the Congressional Budget Office has projected spending over $6.1 Billion between 2022 and 2031.

There are multiple factors that can affect your eligibility for a Camp Lejeune case, as well as how much compensation you may receive from your claim.

Some factors that may be considered in Camp Lejeune lawsuits include:

• How much time was spent at Camp Lejeune: A minimum of 30 days at Camp Lejeune is required to be eligible for a lawsuit. Exposure length may also affect settlement amounts.
• The extent of medical care and costs: Some illnesses developed from toxic exposure can be more debilitating than others, thus having a larger impact on the victim’s life.
• The person’s health prior to their time spent on base: This includes whether the person had a family history of illness prior to exposure at Camp Lejeune.
• Loss of income or future earning potential: Whether or not the person is unable to continue working after developing an injury related to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may impact the amount of money awarded in the case.

At Sokolove Law, our attorneys can fight to maximize your compensation from a Camp Lejeune cancer lawsuit that can help pay for treatments and other expenses. Find out more about the Camp Lejeune payout timeline.

Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claim Deadline

If you suffered from toxic water injuries after spending time at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, it is important to contact a Camp Lejeune water act lawyer as soon as possible regarding your situation.

When the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was signed into law by President Biden on August 10, 2022, it provided a two-year deadline for those looking to file a claim.

Additionally, if you lost a loved one due to a Camp Lejeune health issue, you may still be eligible to fight for justice on their behalf.

“I watched my dad suffer through countless surgeries and treatments that kept him from enjoying retirement and spending time with his grandchildren. There was once a time when I believed that all families like ours were out of luck, but this legislation has the chance to make a huge impact.”
– Chris, Son of a USMC Camp Lejeune Veteran with Bladder Cancer 

Sokolove Law: Camp Lejeune Compensation Act Lawyers

Thanks to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, anyone who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 may now be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation for their injuries.

Sokolove Law is a national personal injury law firm with over 45 years of experience helping our clients get the compensation they deserve. Our team won’t charge you any upfront or out-of-pocket costs.

Camp Lejeune Justice Act 2022 FAQs