5 things to know about Camp Lejeune, what happened there and how to file a claim

More than 1 million people may have been sickened by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

So far, 227,000 veterans and their families have filed claims for compensation for their illnesses, according to court documents.

The deadline for filing those claims is approaching fast.

Here are five key things to know about Camp Lejeune, what happened there and how to file a claim.

Where is Camp Lejeune?

Camp Lejeune is a U.S. Marine Corps base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. It was opened in 1942 and remains in operation today.

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What happened at Camp Lejeune?

The water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated by waste disposal practices by an off-base dry cleaner and leaking underground storage tanks, industrial area spills and waste disposal sites on the base, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

The Marine Corps discovered the contamination in 1982 and most impacted wells were shut down by February 1985, according to the ATSDR.

Many people who lived or worked on the base from the 1950s to 1980s have died or been sickened from a long list of illnesses, including bladder, kidney and liver cancer; leukemia; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; and Parkinson’s disease. Women with ties to the base have lost babies, had children with birth defects and had fertility issues.

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Who is eligible for compensation?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, a federal law passed in 2022, allows people who served on the base and their families to sue the federal government.

To be eligible, a person must have been at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987.

How can I file a claim for myself or a loved one?

A claim must be filed with the U.S. Department of Navy , which is over the Marines.

The Navy has six months to respond. If the Navy doesn’t respond or settle, the person may file a lawsuit.

The leaders of the effort to get benefits and compensation for Camp Lejeune victims suggest hiring an attorney before filing a claim.

What’s the deadline to file a claim?

The deadline is Aug. 10.

That’s when the two-year statute of limitations provided under the law expires.

Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com , 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 5 things to know about Camp Lejeune, what happened there and how to file a claim