CAMP LEJEUNE JUSTICE ACT is a new law. It gives USMC Veterans and civilian employees the right to sue if harmed by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

NEW LAW

Ask this: Do you have cancer, kidney disease or Parkinson’s: Is it from drinking contaminated water at Camp Lejeune? Are you worried that you were at Camp Lejeune too long ago? Yesterday the Senate passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. It gives Marines and civilian employees-including those from Maine-the right to bring an action for cancer, kidney disease and Parkinson’s from exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. You qualify if you drank water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1952 and December 31, 1987.

BACKGROUND

Some older Marines veterans and civilian employees from Camp Lejeune were concerned they suffered cancer, kidney damage or other health issues related to water contamination at Camp Lejeune. The CDC studied the issue and found it to be true. The CDC report states:

“During 1979-2008, there were 654 deaths in the Camp Lejeune group of civilian workers and 869 deaths in the Camp Pendleton group. The median ages in 2008 for the Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton cohorts were 58 years and 60 years, respectively.

Compared with the Camp Pendleton workers, the Camp Lejeune workers had higher mortality rates for the following causes of death:

• Cancers of the female breast, kidney, lung, oral cavity, prostate, and rectum
• Kidney diseases
• Leukemias
• Multiple myeloma
• Parkinson’s disease

The higher rates of cancers of the kidney, prostate and rectum, leukemias, and Parkinson’s disease were mainly among the Camp Lejeune civilian workers with higher cumulative exposures to the contaminants.”

This Camp Lejeune Justice Act passed by the Senate yesterday allows certain individuals to sue and recover damages for harm from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.

The bill prohibits the U.S. government from asserting specified immunity from litigation in response to such a lawsuit.

MAINERS AT RISK

Maine adults who have served in the military account for 9.7 percent of the state’s population, the fifth highest percentage among the 50 states. That figure is according to an analysis by the website 24/7 Wall St. That includes many Maine United States Marine Corps veterans. It doesn’t even include the number of Mainers who were civilian employees at Camp Lejeune during the years 1953 and 1987.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

If you are a Mainer, you will want to know about the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. You can find out about your potential legal options. Call 207-596-1099 and speak to Alison Briggs, a nurse attorney with more than 20 years experience in personal injury law. Alison Briggs, RN, Esq. can listen to your cancer story and let you know what your options may be. There’s no cost to speak with Briggs & Wholey. Briggs & Wholey is available right here in Maine. Copyright 2022 Briggs & Wholey, LLC