Despite more than 385,000 claims filed under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, only 114 have received settlement offers from the U.S. government, with critics citing delays and low compensation.
Brenda Goodman reports for CNN.
In short:
- The Camp Lejeune Justice Act aims to compensate victims of water contamination at the Marine Corps Base in North Carolina, but only a small fraction of claims have been settled. The two-year window to file a claim ended recently.
- Critics argue that the process is slow and the compensation offers are insufficient compared to the medical expenses incurred by affected individuals.
- Many claims remain unresolved, with some victims passing away before receiving compensation, adding urgency to the situation.
Key quote:
“The federal government… promised these men and women some form of accountability through the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, and they just really failed to live up to that promise.”
— Andrew Van Arsdale, attorney
Why this matters:
The slow response to claims underlines the challenges faced by veterans and their families in seeking justice and support for health issues caused by toxic exposure. Improving the claim process is crucial to providing timely assistance to those affected.
