When the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 (CLJA) was passed, TV and radio air waves were inundated with ads from law firms that seemed to promise massive payouts for Veterans who had been exposed to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. However, many have worried that the Veterans who have suffered the effects of the toxic water will recover the least due to unscrupulous or inflated attorney fees.
Under the CLJA, anyone who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for at least 30 days between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987, can bring a Camp Lejeune lawsuit for damages for injuries related to the toxic water at Lejeune. The overpowering advertising caused negative reactions and severe public scrutiny.
Recently, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee ranking member Mark Takano, D-Calif., unveiled the Protect Access to Justice for Veterans Act, which would prohibit lawyers from taking more than one-third of any payout related to the Camp Lejeune lawsuit. Additionally, a group of House and Senate Republicans including House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., introduced the Victims Ensnared by Trial-lawyers’ Scams (VETS) Act, which would similarly cap attorney fees for settlements at 17%. It is unclear if any of these bills will pass, but we will keep an eye on them.
The main focus is to make sure that Veterans and others who have been harmed by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune are protected while they pursue their claims. Gardberg and Kemmerly is open for calls and online assistance and will continue to help our Veterans in any way possible, including staying up to date on any pending legislation and CLJA claims. If you have a CLJA claim or a claim for disability and need assistance, please call our office and speak with one of our qualified Veterans’ Disability attorneys. Gardberg and Kemmerly is committed to helping injured and disabled Veterans obtain the benefits they deserve. If you need help with a disability claim, call the office at 251-343-1111 or 1-800-332-1529 for a free consultation. Gardberg and Kemmerly is proud to serve Veterans across the country from our home office in Mobile, Alabama.