Marines Have Until August Of 2024 To Make Their Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claim
Actively receiving VA benefits should not impact their lump sum offer
Monday, February 12, 2024 - US Marine Corps veterans and civilian employees who served at Camp Lejeune are facing a pivotal deadline, with the window for filing a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim closing at the onset of August 2024. Despite the urgency of this deadline, many individuals have hesitated to pursue their claims, fearing that doing so might jeopardize their existing VA water contamination benefits or diminish them in some way. However, it's crucial to dispel this misconception, as filing a claim under the Act does not affect current benefits negatively; in fact, it may even streamline the process for those already receiving benefits. Indeed, individuals currently receiving benefits stand a higher likelihood of being automatically approved for Camp Lejeune Justice Act claims, as the rigorous due diligence and fraud checks mandated by the Act have likely already been completed by investigators from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This means that those already receiving benefits can maintain their existing support while potentially receiving an additional lump-sum payment, which could amount to as much as $450,000, contingent upon the type of cancer they suffered from and their duration of exposure at the base. Payouts of an additional $100,000 are available to survivors of those who died from Camp Lejeune water contamination.
The impact of water contamination at Camp Lejeune extends beyond just the veterans themselves; it encompasses their entire families. Given that a significant proportion of Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 were starting families, the ripple effects of the contamination are far-reaching. It's estimated that the number of individuals affected may surpass the Navy's conservative estimate of one million, considering the broader familial implications. One particularly vulnerable group is the unborn children of pregnant women who resided on the base during their pregnancies and routinely consumed the contaminated water. These fetuses face heightened risks of miscarriages, stillbirths, and birth defects, highlighting the profound impact of the contamination on maternal and fetal health. Tragically, many children born to Camp Lejeune mothers have succumbed to cancer before reaching the age of ten, underscoring the devastating toll of the contamination on future generations.
The extent of the health repercussions stemming from water contamination at Camp Lejeune cannot be overstated. The long-term health consequences for those exposed during their time at the base are profound and enduring. From an increased incidence of various cancers to the heartbreaking loss of young lives, the human cost of this environmental disaster is immeasurable. As the deadline for filing claims approaches, it's imperative that affected individuals and their families are made aware of their rights and the potential avenues for redress available to them. By dispelling misconceptions and providing support and guidance throughout the claims process, we can ensure that those impacted by the Camp Lejeune water contamination receive the compensation and assistance they rightfully deserve. Additionally, ongoing efforts to address environmental hazards and safeguard public health must remain a top priority to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
OnderLaw, LLC and The Overholt Law Firm, PC -