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If you or a loved one has suffered a severe or fatal illness from exposure to contaminated water at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville or the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact CaseyGerry by calling (619) 730-7586 or send our San Diego mass tort lawyers a message online to arrange your free consultation today.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the drinking water at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was contaminated between 1953 to 1987. As a result, the following volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were found in two on-base wlla:
Benzene, TCE, and PCE are linked to various cancers, including Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. PCE is also classified as probably carcinogenic. As a result, consistent exposure to these chemicals can be catastrophic. Before most of the contaminated wells were removed from service in February 1985, it is estimated that more than one million people could have been exposed. Many of them have been diagnosed with cancer, brain tumors, infertility, Parkinson’s disease, and other severe conditions.
A law passed in August 2022, known as the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, allows individuals affected by the base’s contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River to file suit. This includes military members, their families, and civilian employees on the base, as long as you:
Claims must be filed within two to three years of the date you knew or should have known of the connection between your condition and the contaminated water. If you fail to bring a claim within that time, you may be barred from recovering compensation.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers various benefits, including health care at no cost and disability payments for former military members impacted by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River. Fortunately, family members can also apply for benefits and healthcare from the VA.
Out-of-pocket medical expenses may also be reimbursed as long as they are related to one of the following 15 conditions:
Additionally, all victims eligible to join the Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River mass tort action may be able to recover further compensation for unpaid medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.
Veterans have several options for filing a claim for disability compensation:
Online
A disability compensation claim can be filed on VA.gov. There is a VA form (21-526EZ) to complete, and you can submit evidence that supports your claim (e.g., medical records). The VA will review your application, and once it is processed, you will get a notice in the mail with their decision on whether to approve or deny it.
A Veterans Service Officer
If you need help filing your claim, Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) are available who are trained professionals and certified in the VA claims process. One can be found online through eBenefits or by searching the VA Office of the General Counsel’s list.
VA Regional Office
Claims can be filed in person at a VA location close to you.
San Diego Camp Lejeune Mass Tort Lawyer
Another option is to hire an attorney to file the VA claim on your behalf and handle gathering all paperwork and evidence needed to support your claim. The benefit of doing so is that it will eliminate the stress of dealing with the paperwork and claims process while also significantly minimizing the odds of rejection. Additionally, your attorney will review your options and build your case if joining a mass tort lawsuit to obtain further compensation.
Family members must file a claim for disability compensation using VA Form 10-10068. The form must either be:
Financial Services Center
PO Box 149200
Austin, TX 78714-9200
Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River Family Member program staff are available to assist by phone at 866-372-1144 if you need help applying.
The following types of evidence must also be submitted with your claim.
Relationship to Veteran
A document must prove your relationship to the Veteran who served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 cumulative days. For example, a marriage license, birth certificate, adoption papers, etc.
Housing Records
Documentation shows you lived at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 days between August 1953 to December 1987. For instance, military orders, utility bills, tax forms, or base housing records.
Medical Records
Medical records prove you have one of the 15 conditions listed above, the date you were diagnosed, and that you received treatment.
Payment for Medical Bills
Evidence of payment for healthcare expenses related to your qualifying condition during one of the following periods:
An optional form can be submitted after giving it to your treating physician to fill out and sign called a Camp Lejeune Family Member Program Treating Physician Report (VA Form 10-10068b). It can help confirm your eligibility for benefits but is not required.
If you or a loved one may be entitled to compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, contact CaseyGerry. We can help you determine your eligibility and fight for the justice you deserve. Call (619) 730-7586 or send us a message online to arrange a free consultation.