What Do I Do if I Live in Brooksville or Spring Hill and Have Been Affected by Water Contamination from Camp Lejeune? | Hernando County Injury Attorneys Whittel & Melton

August 17, 2022

If you were stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987, you may have been exposed to toxic water resulting in decades of harm.

If you lived or worked on MCB Camp Lejeune from 1953-1987 and were affected by the tainted water supply, but you reside in Hernando County and are wondering how to get started with a claim, then it may benefit you to speak with our Hernando County Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton as we are currently taking on cases for victims of Camp Lejeune who were exposed to toxic chemicals and water contamination while on the military base.

Biden Signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 Into Law August 10, 2022

Now that President Biden has signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (S.3373) into law, military veterans can file civil lawsuits against the U.S. Government for harm caused by the tainted water exposure (including while in utero) at MCB Camp Lejeune in North Carolina from August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987.

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina is the only venue where lawsuits can be brought pursuant to the Act. If you lived or worked on MCB Camp Lejeune from 1953-1987 and are residing in Hernando County currently, our Hernando County Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you pursue legal action. Call us now at 352-666-2121 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Punitive damages are not available for claims brought under this Act and monetary awards will be offset by the amount of any disability payment, award, or benefit received by those affected from any program administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Medicare program, or the Medicaid program linked to health care or a disability related to exposure to contaminated water supplied by the U.S. Government at Camp Lejeune.

Who Qualifies for Benefits?

If you are a former reservist, member of the National Guard, or Armed Forces veteran that served 30 days or longer at Camp Lejeune from August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987, then you may be eligible for compensation. Reservists who only worked weekends or a few weeks of active-duty training may also be eligible as there is no requirement for consecutive days.

You must have also received an honorable discharge to pursue benefits. You must also have a qualifying health condition.

What About Family Members – Children and Spouses?

All service members or members of their family who were also stationed at Camp Lejeune during the specified time period and developed a qualifying condition can also file for benefits. There have been cases documented where children and spouses of Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune suffered illnesses and died because of the toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune. Marines, civilian workers, residents, and naval personnel may all qualify for benefits.

Family members must have proper documentation to gain access to benefits. In order to seek compensation, you must show the following:

Proof of relationship to a qualifying Veteran. Valid documents include birth certificates, adoptions certificates, and marriage licenses.

Proof you resided on base for 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. Housing base records or copies of assignment orders can all serve as proof.

Healthcare expense logs. For those that lived on MCB Camp Lejeune between January 1, 1957, and December 31, 1987, reimbursement for medical care received on or August 6, 2012 is available. For residents on MCB Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1956, medical care received after December 16, 2014 may qualify for reimbursement.

Health Problems Associated with MCB Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Some of the medical conditions that qualify for healthcare benefits from the tainted water at Camp Lejeune, include:

• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Adult leukemia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Aplastic anemia (other myelodysplastic syndromes)
• Multiple myeloma
• Kidney cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Liver cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Female infertility
• Miscarriage
• Cervical cancer
• Renal toxicity
• Scleroderma
• Brain cancer
• Neurobehavioral effects

If you have questions about your specific health problems, speaking with our Hernando County Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton may be in your best interests as we are familiar with the benefits process.

Call Whittel & Melton in Hernando County for Help Obtaining Benefits – 352-666-2121

If this complicated legislation, numerous forms, and compilation of necessary documents is overwhelming you, then you should consider speaking with our Hernando County Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton now for help with your potential Camp Lejeune water contamination case. We are familiar with the process and will happily guide you through it. We can discuss your claim for free and explain how we can help you. Call us now in Spring Hill, Brooksville, Masaryktown, Ridge Manor, Weeki Wachee, Hernando Beach, or elsewhere in Hernando County at 352-666-2121 or contact us online 24/7.