Will I Lose My VA Benefits If I File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) allows veterans and their families affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987 to seek benefits for their losses. Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune and were exposed to contaminants in the water can file civil lawsuits against the United States government for, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages. Family members of deceased veterans can all file on behalf of their deceased veteran under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
If you’re a veteran who was exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, you may wonder if filing a lawsuit will affect your VA benefits. It’s an understandable concern many veterans have in the wake of the Camp Lejeune water contamination scandal. In this blog post, we’ll address the issue of whether filing a lawsuit will result in a loss of VA benefits and what else you need to know about the CLJA.
How Filing a Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claim Could Affect VA Disability Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has stated that filing a Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) claim will not influence its decision to provide benefits or health care to eligible veterans. If you are a veteran or family member of a veteran affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune, you can file a CLJA claim without any impact on your VA disability benefits, according to the memo authorized by the Veterans Administration.
However, if you file a CLJA lawsuit and are awarded relief by the court, the award will be offset by any disability award, payment, or benefit the VA has already provided you related to your exposure at Camp Lejeune. The good news is that receiving an award through a CLJA lawsuit will not reduce the benefits you receive from the VA.
In summary, filing a CLJA claim will not affect your VA disability benefits in any way. However, any award from the court will be offset by any VA disability benefits you have already received for your exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and any related illness.
What You Need to Know Before You File a Claim
On August 10, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act into law. This legislation is a part of the PACT Act, which provides relief to veterans, their family members, and civilian workers affected by Agent Orange, burn pits, or other toxic substances while serving in the military.
When filing a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim, it’s essential to understand that there is a time limit to take action. Claimants have two years from August 10, 2022, to file a lawsuit and should act quickly to seek compensation for injuries or illnesses caused by Camp Lejeune water contamination.
Contact Our Experienced Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyers Today
If you have been diagnosed with an illness associated with Camp Lejeune’s water contamination, the legal team at Ward Black Law is ready to fight for your rights and help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Illnesses can include Parkinson’s disease, kidney disease, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and blood cancers like leukemia. If you have questions or want to learn more about filing a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim, contact us today for a free case review.