Camp Lejeune has been a popular topic of conversation for much of 2022. In August of this year, the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 (or PACT Act) was signed into law. The PACT Act increases health care benefits for military veterans and family members that were exposed to dangerous substances throughout the duration of their service, whether abroad or domestically.
Through the legislation, service presumptions were added for burn pits, deadly chemicals, and contaminated water. This allows veterans and their injured family members to make successful claims for damages sustained in service to the country. Folded into the greater PACT Act is a piece of legislation known as the “Camp Lejeune Justice Act.” In this article, we discuss why Camp Lejeune was included in the PACT Act, what the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is, and who may benefit from the passage of this legislation.
What is Camp Lejeune & How is it Related to the PACT Act?
Camp Lejeune is a Marine Corps base. It was created at the height of World War II to train U.S. troops that were due to see combat in the international conflict. Following the war, Camp Lejeune continued to be used as a warfighting platform and base. Unfortunately, after the base had already been operating for decades, it was discovered that there was a serious onsite issue with the facility’s water supply.
From approximately 1953 to 1987, multiple water treatment facilities were compromised by toxins. These facilities primarily served family housing units and communal areas, supplying the water used for drinking, cooking, and cleaning across most of the base. The water contamination was eventually discovered to have been caused by improper waste disposal, leaking storage tanks, unsafe storage of chemicals and pesticides, and the actions of a nearby dry-cleaning business. The Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC, notes that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were able to infiltrate the water supply as a result of these lapses in containment and safety measures.
Potential Health Complications from Exposure to VOCs
VOCs are emitted as gases from some liquids or solids. They are frequently human-made chemicals, emanating from paint thinners, dry cleaning products, petroleum fuels, hydraulic fluids, and other substances. When ingested by humans or other animals, VOCs can cause serious health complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that exposure to VOCs through drinking or bathing in contaminated water can cause:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Leukemia
- Lung Cancer
- Female infertility or miscarriages
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Neurobehavioral effects
What Does the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Do?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, known formally as H.R. 2192, was passed into law as a component of the greater PACT Act. The legislation was designed to help the victims of the Marine base’s water contamination by making it possible to file lawsuits for related damages. Former soldiers and family members that lived on the base would be able to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and other detrimental impacts of the toxic water. Victims must meet the following criteria to qualify:
- Resided at Camp Lejeune for a period of 30 days or longer between August 1st, 1953 and December 31st, 1987
- Diagnosed with a medical condition consistent with exposure to toxic water
Who Benefits from the Passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act?
Both the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and the broader PACT Act were created to expand healthcare access and economic support to veterans that suffered harm while dutifully serving their country. As such, former soldiers and their families stand to benefit the most from the passage of these key new acts. The PACT Act specifically also aims to “improve [VA] research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures,” per the VA’s statement on the legislation’s passage. By expanding research and treatments related to toxic exposures, hopefully incidents on such a scale as the Camp Lejeune incident will be unlikely to occur again.
If you served at Camp Lejeune, have family members that were on the base, or have questions about the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, we encourage you to contact the VA or an experienced toxins exposure attorney. They will be able to help you determine how the act’s passage may impact you or your family, as well as offer guidance into any methods for securing damages incurred because of military service.