More than 500,000 claims made by people who were exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — The U.S. Navy has nearly 546,000 claims from people who said they were exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune.

These claims were made under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act so people could get compensated by the government for any illnesses they have sustained from the water.

Advocates and veterans are happy with the number. Some said they were worried that people were going to be chased away or scared of losing other benefits. Now, victims are waiting to see when trials could start.

In the meantime, veterans are working to move the Camp Lejeune Justice Corrections Act through Congress.

“Over 500,000 veterans and their family members that are, that are very ill and have lost loved ones,” Kentucky and South Carolina Advocate for Camp Lejeune Brian Amburgey said. “And this new bill would help speed up the process, put the cap on attorney fees, and let us use the evidence that has been discovered to use in trials.”

The only thing that can be done now for people diagnosed after the deadline would be to get medical care from the Veterans Health Administration.

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