Jacksonville, North Carolina, is home to Camp Lejeune, a military base owned by the United States Marine Corps. The unknowingly contaminated base caused a number of leukemia cases and other cancers during the 1950s to 1980s.
In recent years, victims of this water contamination have begun receiving compensation and recognition for their illnesses, but many remain unjustly treated. The water contamination at Camp Lejeune is potentially affecting about 750,000 people.
A fuel depot on the base released toxins into the groundwater between 1953 and 1987. Numerous illnesses, including cancer, have been caused by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune.
In the following sections, we shall shed light on the latest news and developments of the Camp Lejuene water contamination so veterans and civilians impacted by the Camp Lejuene contamination can track the events to seek relief and claim disability. Keep visiting this post to stay up-to-date on the latest news and developments in this regard.
Camp Lejuene Water Contamination Latest News
The following are the latest developments and news regarding the Camp Lejuene water contamination issue for all those who were exposed.
Oct. 4, 2022: Camp Lejeune Legislation Spurs $45 Million Ad Blitz
Researchers at X Ante estimate that law firms and marketing agencies have spent $45 million on advertising about contamination at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in the past six months. This is one of the most significant latest news of Camp Lejeune water contamination due to the amount spent.
According to X, the amount spent on advertising for Camp Lejuene claims is almost double what has been spent for claims over 3M's Combat Arms earplugs, the most significant mass litigation in history, with over 300,000 lawsuits filed against Ante.
Data from X Ante shows that 94,000 television ads have been aired in every media market across the country about Camp Lejeune between March 22 and Sept. 28. TV, radio, and online advertisements for mass torts are tracked by X Ante. The company uses data from advertising monitoring company Kantar's Campaign Media Analysis Group for television ads.
September 2022: Camp Lejeune Water Contamination JAG Claims Exceed 5,000
Another latest news on the Camp Lejeune water contamination case came in September 2022. Just one month after the Camp Lejeune Justice Act became law, veterans have been able to seek legal recourse for health issues caused by contaminated water at the Marine Corps base in North Carolina, which has led to the filing of more than 5,000 claims with the Navy's Judge Advocate General's Corps.
A number of administrative claims were filed with the Department of the Navy's JAG Corps in Norfolk, Virginia, due to the recent legislation enabling them to do so. Before a civil lawsuit can be filed against the federal government regarding Camp Lejeune, the federal government must respond to the claims.
August 2022: President Biden Signs Camp Lejeune Justice Act Into Law
Earlier this year, on 10 August 2022, President Biden signed the "Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022" into law. From August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, at least thirty days of exposure (including in utero exposure) to water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina allowed military veterans to file civil lawsuits against the US Government.
Only the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina has jurisdiction over actions brought under the Act. As a result of litigation, the US Government cannot assert any immunity that might otherwise be available. The law also overrides a statute of repose that prohibits tort claims from being filed after ten years.
Punitive damages cannot be awarded if a claim is brought under the Act. If the claimant has received any disability awards, payments, or benefits from any program administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Medicare, or Medicaid in relation to health care or a disability caused by drinking water provided by the US government at Camp Lejeune, these awards will be offset.
In order to enhance the benefits of health care and disability claims for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits and specific other service-related toxic exposures, the "Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022" or "Honoring our PACT Act of 2022" was enacted.
June 2022: Senate Passes The Honoring Our Pact Act
A revised version of CLJA (Camp Lejeune Justice Act 2022) and 84-13 were added to the Honoring Our Pact Act in June 2022, which was taken up by the US Senate and passed as part of the Honoring Our Pact Act.
With the blue slip objection, the final passage of the Honoring Our Pact Act was stalled because a tax provision was added in the Senate amendment. Apparently, only the House of Representatives is authorized to authorize taxes, hence the blue slip objection.
June 2022: The House Passes PACT Act
Upon passing the Honoring Our Pact Act 342-88, the House of Representatives passed the legislation on June 12, 2022. Currently, the amended bill is being reviewed by the Senate.
Upon final passage, it will be possible for Camp Lejeune water contamination victims to sue the U.S. government. The months and years ahead are expected to see thousands of lawsuits filed against Camp Lejeune.
Upon enacting the PACT Act, over 1 million United States Marines and their spouses and families will be entitled to claim settlement benefits for environmental contamination they experienced while living on or near Camp Lejeune.
March 2017: Camp Lejeune Justice Act Is Introduced In The Senate
During the month of March 2017, the US Senate introduced the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA). In addition to providing health care and economic benefits to those affected by the contaminated water, the bill would also address pollution at Camp Lejeune and the Marine Corps Air Station.
Those exposed to the contamination would also be subject to an investigation by a federal commission. Bipartisan support exists for the bill that has not yet been passed and is currently being debated in the legislature.
Victims and their families deserve justice and disability compensation due to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which Congress hopes to pass soon.
2016: Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Begin
According to the Federal Tort Claims Act, 800 lawsuits were filed in 2016 by Marine Corps veterans and their families. Federal employees may be sued for personal injuries or death caused by their negligence under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
For all Camp Lejeune lawsuits related to toxic water, multidistrict litigation (MDL) was filed in federal court. The first Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits are still pending, and no trial date has been set.
There was no legal recourse for victims of water contamination at Camp Lejeune until 2018. As of 2021, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act had entered the House of Representatives. An act named Honoring Our Pact Act 2021 was introduced in 2022 that added to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
Those whose loved ones have been exposed to Camp Lejeune water contamination are entitled to financial assistance and healthcare coverage under the Honoring Our Pact Act.
2012: The Obama Government Responds To The Contaminated Camp Lejeune Water
The federal government and Marine Corps have been fighting for recognition and compensation for contamination victims for years. As a result of Obama's executive action in 2012, $2 billion in medical care and health benefits were provided to those affected.
However, there is much more to be done. Illness and economic hardship continue to plague military and National Guard victims and their families.
2007: Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Report
From 1953 to 1987, as many as 950,000 people may have been exposed to carcinogens in Camp Lejeune's water supply, according to a report released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
During testing, benzene and trichloroethylene (TCE) were found in the Camp Lejeune well water. Veterans living on the base and their families suffered numerous illnesses due to the contamination. The consequences of this contamination continue to affect many people today.
Camp Lejuene water contamination is one of US history's most significant healthcare hazards. Legislation to provide relief and damages to those affected took a long time to take shape. However, veterans have a way to seek damages and compensation for their decades of pain and anguish. We have covered the latest developments in the Camp Lejuene water contamination issue and its legislation.
To learn more about different types of disability and the associated cash compensation for the affectees of Camp Lejuene water contamination, please visit DisabilityHelp.org today!
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