Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) and others have introduced the bipartisan Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act. This bill updates the original Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which was implemented to provide a compensation process for veterans and victims of contaminated drinking water at the site.
The new legislation would clarify the right to jury trials, attorney fee standards, and jurisdictions of those affected by the contaminated water.
The Florida senator stated that bureaucratic roadblocks are one of the reasons this bill was necessary.
“It’s unacceptable that individuals impacted by the Camp Lejeune water contamination continue to experience bureaucratic roadblocks,” said Sen. Rubio. “Compensation for veterans and other victims impacted, including thousands of individuals in Florida, is long overdue. Senator Tillis and I are eternally grateful for their service and are working to rectify this situation.”
Moreover, Sen. Tillis added that those affected at Camp Lejeune are not receiving “their day in court” and that this bill remedies the issue.
“Currently, veterans and other victims exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune are running into roadblocks that are denying them their day in court for the often-crippling and deadly medical conditions they have suffered,” said Sen. Tillis. “Since coming to office, I have worked alongside those who lived and worked at Camp Lejeune that were unknowingly exposed to harmful chemicals to finally give them the health care and benefits they deserve.”
The Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act would permit cases to be heard in any district court in the 4th Circuit, explicitly grant jury trials, and expressly state that victims only need to demonstrate general causation – including latent or potential harm.
Additionally, the new measure caps attorney fees at 20% for settlements and 25% for trials. These procedures, according to Sen. Rubio, will “ensure there is no room for misinterpreting Congress’ intent to provide complete and swift relief to victims of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.”
Co-sponsors include Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mike Braun (R-IN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI).
