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If you or a loved one have been sickened by the toxins that you were exposed to at Camp Lejeune, you can finally obtain justice and financial compensation. There is a new law that allows you to file a claim against the federal government to obtain a settlement, but you need to act quickly.
You must first go through the claims process, providing the necessary documents that show you are entitled to compensation for your illness. Here is what you need to file a Camp Lejeune claim. The Georgia injury attorneys at Moebes Law are standing by and ready to help you fight for what you deserve.
Who Can File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
For over three decades, the federal government exposed service members at Camp Lejeune and their families to water that contains extremely dangerous toxins. Countless people have been sickened from their exposure to this water, even decades after the fact. For years, these victims were unable to receive any compensation, both because of an artificial judicial rule and North Carolina law. Now, Congress has passed the PACT Act, which contains the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
Until August 2024, you can file a claim for financial compensation with the federal government if you meet the following requirements:
- You were on the base for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
- You suffer from an illness that bears a connection to contaminated water.
How to Prove that Your Deserve Financial Compensation for Your Camp Lejeune Illness
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is specifically intended to make it easier for you to file a claim. Although you always need to show that someone else’s conduct was the cause of your injuries, this law somewhat lowers the bar to getting financial compensation.
The government knows full well that the water was contaminated and that it was the cause of the toxins being in the water in the first place. To obtain financial compensation, you must prove the following about your illness:
- It was caused by exposure to the water.
- It was associated with exposure to the water.
- It was linked to exposure to the water.
- The exposure to the water increased the likelihood of your increase.
The law says nothing about needing to prove that the water was toxic. You just need to show that you were present on base during the relevant time and you suffered an illness that was made more likely by toxins in your drinking water.
Documents that Can Help You Meet Your Burden of Proof
The law makes it clear that you still bear the burden of proof to qualify for financial compensation. You must show your claim by a preponderance of the evidence. However, meeting your burden of proof means the following:
- Showing that you were present on the base during the time period mentioned in the statute
- Demonstrating that you have a medical condition that is connected with the contaminated water in the manner described above
There are numerous ways that you can show your entitlement to money. You must submit a detailed claim because you cannot rely on the federal government to fill in any blanks or give you the benefit of the doubt. You can count on your claim being assigned to an undertrained and overloaded processor who may make your life as difficult as possible.
To prove your presence at Camp Lejeune, you can use some of the following documentation:
- Housing records that can show that you lived on base
- Employment records (you are not required to have lived on the base – even civilian employees can be eligible for compensation because they drank the same water)
- Military records that can show where you served (you may have been at Camp Lejeune temporarily, even if you did not live on base, which can be enough to qualify for compensation)
Medical Conditions that May Make You Eligible for Financial Compensation
From a medical perspective, you will need to show that you or a loved one have suffered from a condition caused by the water or that can be caused by the water. The most crucial thing is to have complete medical records of your condition.
There are a number of conditions that are presumed to be connected to the Camp Lejeune water. When it comes to applying for disability benefits, the Veterans Administration has a list of eight presumptive conditions assumed to be tied to the water. These conditions include:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
Eligible conditions are not limited to this list. The Department of Defense may add other conditions to this list. There may be other illnesses that are considered to have been made more likely by exposure to the toxic water.
Contact a Camp Lejeune Claims Attorney in Georgia Today
It is not easy to deal with the federal government in any context. It is even more so when the government may owe you money. Moebes Law is in your corner when you need us, ready to take on the government to get you what you deserve. To speak with an attorney, you can send us a message online or call us today at (678) 831-6239. You owe us nothing unless you win your case. Our experience as veterans and as VA Disability lawyers make us uniquely qualified to help with these cases!
Camp Lejeune Claim FAQs
How long do I have to file a claim for compensation?
The law gives you two years from the date that it was signed into law by President Biden to file a claim, meaning that you have until August 2024.
What if I miss the deadline?
There is a strict time limit on filing a claim. If you miss the deadline, you lose the right to seek financial compensation.
Can I file a lawsuit against the federal government?
Yes, but only if you go through the claims process first and your claim is denied, or you cannot reach a settlement.
