DOJ Warns Vets to Watch Out for Camp Lejeune Scammers
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Navy issued warnings to Veterans involved in the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits to watch out for unsolicited phone calls and emails, as scammers could be going after their personal information.
Veterans that are involved in the Camp Lejeune lawsuit and receive unsolicited communication asking for money or personal information should not respond. Instead, the DOJ recommends that Vets call their legal representation and report the activity as potentially fraudulent. If Veterans do not have an attorney, they can contact the Navy’s Camp Lejeune claim unit.
What is the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?
Over a 34-year period, thousands of U.S. Marines and their families were exposed to incredibly dangerous and toxic water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Between 1953 and 1987, tainted water wells supplied thousands of Marine families that drank, bathed in, and cooked with this water. These Marines, Reservists, Guardsmen, contractors and their families have started coming forward to file Camp Lejeune claims.
What Were the Effects of Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?
Anyone who served, lived or worked near Camp Lejeune between January 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, may have been diagnosed with any of the following conditions:
- Esophageal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Leukemia
- Aplastic Anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
- Miscarriage
- Female infertility
- Hepatic Steatosis (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease)
- Parkinson’s Disease
There are several illnesses and injuries not listed here that may have developed after Camp Lejeune water exposure.
What is The Camp Lejeune Justice Act?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows certain individuals to sue and recover damages for harm from exposure to contaminated water. The bill makes it so that only individuals who were exposed to the water for at least 30 days are able to file a claim.
In other words, the bill prohibits the government from asserting immunity from litigation in response to lawsuits brought against by those eligible for these claims.
While the VA only recognizes eight diagnoses as presumptive conditions, there are several other illnesses and injuries that a Veteran or their family may be able to receive compensation for. Consulting with a legal professional may help maximize wrongfully denied claims.
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The Veteran Legal Assistance Program is here to support Veterans and Active-Duty service members. We want to inform you of the issues affecting the Veteran community and connect you with people we trust.
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