Mar 8, 2024

Do I Qualify for a Claim if I Am Not a Veteran?

Do I Qualify for a Claim if I Am Not a Veteran - veteran with flag

If you or a loved one suffered or are currently suffering from a health condition caused by exposure to the contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, you could be eligible for compensation. A recent piece of legislation known as the PACT Act of 2022 provides approximately $6.7 billion in funding for veterans who suffered injuries due to exposure to various toxic chemicals in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. 

However, thousands of affected individuals still wonder if they qualify for a claim even if they are not veterans. The simple answer is yes. However, in order to qualify for compensation, you'll need to ensure you fall into the qualifying categories set forth by the PACT Act. Below we’ll break down what you’ll need to know in order to ensure that you and your loved ones have everything you need to qualify for a Camp Lejeune claim.

How Do I Qualify for a Camp Lejeune Claim?

After being exposed to the contaminated waters at Camp Lejeune, thousands of veterans and their family members were left to deal with the severe and even life-threatening consequences all on their own. Fortunately, this past year, thanks to the PACT Act, victims are now eligible to finally claim compensation for their injuries and other damages directly associated with the water contamination. 

Veteran Application Checklist: 

According to the legislation, in order to qualify for compensation, you'll either need to have been an Active Duty personnel, Reserve, or National Guard member. Three other main criteria include:

  • Having served at Camp Lejeune or the MCAS New River between August 1953 and December 1987 for at least 30 days.
  • Not having received a dishonorable discharge upon leaving the U.S. military.
  • Proper documentation of your illness, as well as other forms of evidence to prove you were affected by the toxins in the water during your time at the camp. 

Non-Veteran Application Checklist: 

Veterans' family members or non-veteran workers who lived at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River are also eligible to receive compensation for their injuries. In order to receive compensation, all non-veterans will need to provide evidence of the following:

  • resided or worked at Camp Lejeune or the MCAS New River between August 1953 and December 1987 for at least 30 days. 
  • Proper documentation of your illness, as well as other forms of evidence to prove that you were affected by the toxins in the water during your time at the camp. 

Veterans' family members may also need to provide evidence of their relationship with the veterans stationed at Camp Lejeune through means such as:

  • Marriage license
  • Birth certificate
  • Adoption papers

What Compensation Could I Be Eligible For?

As previously mentioned, the PACT Act provides approximately $6.7 billion in funding for those exposed to various chemicals in the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. From your claim, you may be eligible for compensation if you or a loved one have suffered from the following: 

  • Aplastic Anemia
  • Birth Defect
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Brain Cancer
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cardiac Defect
  • Cervical Cancer
  • Colorectal/Colon Cancer
  • Dental Problems
  • End-Stage Renal Disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Female Infertility
  • Hepatic Steatosis (Fatty Liver Disease)
  • Hodgkin's Lymphoma
  • Intestinal Cancer
  • Kidney Cancer
  • Kidney Disease
  • Leukemia
  • Liver Cancer
  • Lung Cancer
  • Miscarriage or fetal death
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes
  • Neurobehavioral Effects
  • Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Renal Toxicity
  • Scleroderma

As well as the illnesses listed above, victims of Camp Lejeune can also receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket healthcare costs like doctor's visits, hospital stays, medications, diagnostic testing, surgeries, and more. You could also see returns for any medical equipment or assistive devices used in your home, car, or any other form of day-to-day activity. If you or your loved ones are in need of health services or have yet to seek out treatment for your injuries, your settlement could also cover those costs. 

What if My Claim Is Denied?

If you have filed a claim over the injuries you've sustained during your time at Camp Lejeune and were denied, don't give up just yet. Often applicants will have their claims denied due to errors in their application or the need for proper resources to help prove their case. Due to the complicated nature of the case, as well as the time that has passed since the victims were exposed to the contaminated water, we highly recommend working with an experienced attorney to help guide you through the application process. 

You deserve to work with an attorney who will stand by your side to help you fight for the justice you deserve. At Morgan & Morgan, our law firm has over 30 years of experience helping victims like you get the compensation they need to move forward with their lives, and we do it for no cost to our clients until we win. When you decide to work with us, you'll have access to the best resources in America to ensure you have the best odds for your claims case. Learn more about how one of our attorneys can help you apply for benefits today by completing our free, no-obligation case evaluation form. See why millions have trusted Morgan & Morgan and reach out today.