Promised Settlements for Possible Toxic Water Exposure Still Awaited by Camp Lejeune Marine Veterans and Families

Title: Navy Slow to Process Claims Following Toxic Water Exposure at Camp Lejeune

Introduction:
Nearly 100,000 claims have been filed with the Navy regarding potential exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base in North Carolina. However, a CBS News investigation revealed that a year after key legislation was signed, the Navy has only begun processing fewer than a fifth of the claims, with no settlements being paid.

Background:
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, signed a year ago, aimed to streamline the compensation process for victims of toxic water exposure. The U.S. government acknowledges that from 1953 to 1987, nearly 1 million veterans and civilians were potentially exposed to dangerous chemicals in the drinking water at the base, with toxin levels reaching up to 400 times the safety standards.

Impact:
Activists and lawmakers credit CBS News’ investigative series “Decades of Exposure” for the passing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Mike Partain, a male breast cancer survivor born at Camp Lejeune, shared his personal story. Partain’s suffering, along with many others, is attributed to exposure to contaminated water at the base. A government study suggests a possible link between exposure to chemicals at Camp Lejeune and male breast cancer.

Legal Battles and Delay Tactics:
With no settlement from the Navy, Partain, along with about 1,100 potential victims, sued the U.S. government in North Carolina. However, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act establishes several possible defenses to liability, including one that suggests victims voluntarily assumed the risks. Environmental advocate Erin Brockovich, who has been working with the Camp Lejeune families since 2007, views this as a delay tactic commonly used in environmental cases.

Lack of Progress:
CBS News engaged with the Justice Department and Navy, offering an interview and written questions. However, both declined an on-camera interview. The Justice Department spokesperson provided a statement, indicating their commitment to developing a framework for early resolution of Camp Lejeune Justice Act claims. The Navy also declined an on-camera interview but provided regular updates on the claims filed and their status. They expressed their commitment to addressing the claims and establishing an early-resolution framework.

Emotional Impact and Protest:
The delay in processing claims has taken a toll on the victims and their families. Partain and his mother, Lisette Partain, who was with him in the photograph taken at the base, feel haunted and burdened by guilt. Widows of Camp Lejeune veterans protested outside the Justice Department, demanding respect for the deaths of their husbands and expressing their frustration with the months-long delays.

Conclusion:
The slow progress in processing claims related to toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune is a cause for concern. Victims, such as Mike Partain, have suffered health issues, including male breast cancer, and are seeking compensation and justice for the harm they endured. The pending litigation and the government’s use of delay tactics have further complicated the process. It is crucial for the Navy and the Justice Department to expedite the resolution of these claims and provide relief to those impacted by toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

Original Story at www.cbsnews.com – 2023-08-11 15:09:00