The documents you need to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit include:
- Military records showing you served at Camp Lejeune: You must prove you served at Camp Lejeune for 30 cumulative days between August 1953 through December 1987 while on active duty, in the Reserves, or in the National Guard. You must also have received an honorable discharge.
- Proof of illness: You must provide medical documentation showing you have been diagnosed with a condition resulting from contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.
Family members who lived at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune during the specified period may also file a claim. In addition to proof of residency and illness, family members must provide documents showing their dependent relationship to a service member, such as a marriage license, birth certificate, or adoption papers.
Contaminants in the Water at Camp Lejeune Can Cause Cancer and Other Illnesses
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), two on-base water wells at Camp Lejeune contained trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, perchloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride, and other harmful compounds. It is a medical and scientific fact that these substances can cause severe and life-threatening illnesses, including various cancers.
The base shut down the wells in 1985, but not before thousands of active duty military members and their families suffered exposure between August 1953 through December 1987. Exposure can cause:
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Adult leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Esophageal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Miscarriage or female infertility
- Lung cancer
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
- Hepatic steatosis
You May Qualify for Compensation after Exposure at Camp Lejeune
Camp Lejeune veterans and their families have several options for seeking compensation for their water contamination-related illnesses.
VA Disability Benefits
Veterans can apply for VA disability benefits if they have a presumptive condition and served at Camp Lejeune during the specified time. Because the presence of dangerous compounds is undisputed, and the compounds are known to cause disease, you do not need to provide further evidence linking your condition to your time on base.
According to the 2022 VA disability compensation rates, the monthly payment amounts will depend on the disability rating you receive and how many dependents you have.
For example, monthly payments for 2022 can range from around $150 for a single veteran with a 10 percent disability rating to nearly $4,000 for a veteran with a 100 percent disability rating and four dependents.
Medical Care
Veterans and family members who suffered exposure (even in utero) can seek compensation for past and future medical care for their Camp Lejeune-related illness. For example, medical awards may include the cost of:
- Laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging
- Doctor and hospital bills
- Surgeries
- Follow-up care
- Medications and medical equipment
- Chemotherapy and radiation
- Long-term care and in-home services
- Hospice
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act
There is legislation currently under consideration in Congress that will make it easier for Camp Lejeune contamination victims to seek justice—even those VA previously denied compensation. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 will allow those exposed to “obtain appropriate relief for harm” in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Under this act, an attorney with our firm can help you recover damages such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Future lost income
- Health and disability benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death compensation on behalf of a deceased loved one
Contamination victims will have two years from when the bill passes or 180 days after receiving a denial of an initial Camp Lejeune claim to file suit under the proposed law.
How Can We Help with Your Camp Lejeune Claim?
An attorney with our firm can help you explore and pursue the best path for seeking compensation. We can assist you even if VA denied your original disability claim. Our team can:
- Obtain the documents you need to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, including your medical records, proof of service, and proof of residency on base
- File your disability or health care coverage applications
- Appeal an initial denial
- Calculate your contamination-related damages
- Represent you during legal proceedings if necessary
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC for a Free Consultation
Attorney Ben Crump and his team have helped thousands of clients across the country pursue justice for injuries and illnesses. Our firm has a reputation for helping the powerless seek justice, and we have a successful track record with cases involving environmental diseases, class actions, and civil rights.
We never want financial hardship to stand in the way of our clients getting the awards they deserve. Therefore, we can help you and your family file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit or disability claim at no upfront cost to you. To learn more, reach out to our team today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
