The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 created a path for veterans, their families, and civilian workers exposed to contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, to file claims with the federal government. Diseases linked to the water contamination include cancer, Parkinson disease, kidney disease, liver cancer, and other serious conditions.
Camp Lejeune Claims vs. Mesothelioma Claims
While Camp Lejeune claims specifically address water contamination, many Marines who served at Camp Lejeune during that period were also exposed to asbestos in base facilities, barracks, and vehicle maintenance work. Those veterans may have BOTH Camp Lejeune claims AND mesothelioma/asbestos claims — pursued through entirely separate legal tracks.
The Legal Strategy for Dual-Exposure Veterans
From a litigation perspective, veterans with both water contamination and asbestos exposure histories face a complex but favorable situation. Each claim type targets different defendants and draws from different compensation pools:
- Camp Lejeune Justice Act claims — filed against the federal government, administered through the Department of the Navy and the Department of Justice
- Mesothelioma lawsuits — filed against private asbestos product manufacturers
- Asbestos trust fund claims — filed with each of the 60+ active asbestos bankruptcy trusts
- VA disability benefits — filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs for service-connected conditions
Pursuing all available tracks maximizes total compensation and does not create legal conflicts between them.
Statute of Limitations
Camp Lejeune claims have specific deadlines under the Justice Act. Mesothelioma claims have separate deadlines that start at diagnosis and vary by state. Missing either deadline permanently ends that track. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma who also served at Camp Lejeune should consult an experienced attorney immediately after diagnosis to preserve all available claims.