Will the Camp Lejeune Claim Change My VA Benefits?

For decades, members of the military and their families who spent time at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina were denied legal remedies for medical conditions linked to the toxins discovered in the water. Then, on August 10, 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act), which encompassed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (Justice Act). Essentially, with the Justice Act, any individuals who served, lived, or worked at the base at any time between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, may be eligible to claim compensation for any losses they may have experienced due to the water contamination. 

However, with this new Justice Act, many of those veterans may wonder if and how this could affect them when it comes to their already existing VA benefits and if it's worth joining in the lawsuits. Below we'll dive into everything you need to know about how the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 could help you and your loved ones recover the damages you may have received from the Camp Lejeune water supply.

What is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA)?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) was passed to help aid in the relief of those who have been medically impacted or exposed to the contaminated water during their time at Camp Lejeune. The CLJA is part of the PACT Act, which is a new law that will allow veterans, their family members, or civilian workers who have been affected by burn pits or other toxic substances to file a civil lawsuit in order to receive compensation. As mentioned, this upcoming mandate to provide relief to families and employees of the Camp Lejeune military base will provide justice for those who have suffered from illnesses directly linked to the contaminated water, such as:

• Aplastic Anemia
• Birth defects
• Bladder Cancer
• Brain Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Cardiac Defect
• Cervical cancer
• Dental issues
• End-Stage Renal Disease
• Epilepsy
• Esophageal Cancer
• Female Infertility
• Fetal Death (conceived/in utero on base)
• Hepatic Steatosis (Fatty Liver Disease)
• Hodgkin’s Disease
• Intestinal Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Kidney Disease
• Leukemia
• Liver Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Miscarriage
• Multiple Myeloma
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes
• Neurobehavioral Effects
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
• Parkinson's Disease
• Prostate cancer
• Renal Toxicity
• Scleroderma

Winning a lawsuit could leave you or your loved ones entitled to compensation for any and all medical expenses, lost wages, and any pain and suffering inflicted by the government's negligence in informing all personnel of the toxins found in the camp's water supply.

Will My Camp Lejeune Claim Change My VA Benefits?

Your Camp Lejeune claim will not change or affect your veteran's benefits. When you decide to file a lawsuit as part of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, your monthly compensation from the VA will not change and will still be sent to you every month. When you file under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, due to the nature of the bill, you may receive additional compensation for your injuries or any damages you incurred due to the toxin exposure from the camp. In sum, the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs and The Camp Lejeune Justice Act are separate ways to help you get the compensation you deserve, but both can be pursued and filing under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act will not affect any Veteran Affair benefits you may already be receiving.

What Happens When You File A Claim?

While at first glance, it may already seem like a complicated process to file a claim for your VA benefits—now throw on top of it a new set of rules and case information where you might not even know where to start when sitting on decades of damages and injuries. While it may not be legally required to work with an attorney to file your claims, working with a Morgan & Morgan claims attorney can help ensure that your application process goes smoothly and you are able to receive the compensation you deserve for your damages. With over 30 years of experience, our attorneys are experts when it comes to VA benefits claims and will work with you to ensure that you and your loved ones get the compensation you deserve.

Connect With a Morgan & Morgan Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have suffered an injury due to exposure to the contaminated water from Camp Lejeune, speak with the experts at Morgan & Morgan for more information regarding your claim. Our law firm understands the hardships others' negligence can cause and how important it is for you and your loved ones to get the justice you deserve to move forward with your life. For more information on how a Morgan & Morgan attorney can help you file a claim in the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, please complete our free, no-obligation case evaluation form today. See why millions trust Morgan & Morgan.