Camp Lejeune Scams

What are Camp Lejeune lawsuit scams?

Camp Lejeune scams prey on people looking for legal relief for injuries caused by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. These scams may overpromise award amounts, take money and personal information from unsuspecting people, and waste their time.

The passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act opened up a long-awaited avenue for harmed individuals to receive compensation for injuries caused by toxic water. The potential for Camp Lejeune compensation awards, combined with the short claim-filing window and highly publicized Act, led to a lot of media coverage. 
Reuters reported law firms and marketing agencies spent over $45 million advertising about Camp Lejeune claims from May through September 2022. This fervor has also led to an uptick in scams.

Scammers may attempt to phish for personal information or pose as lawyers to secure a fee. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has reported one phishing scam in particular.

Camp Lejeune phishing scam details

The Better Business Bureau warned people about a Camp Lejeune related phishing scam in March 2023. The scam works by searching for people with a connection to the military and promising them compensation. The particular details of the scam may vary as scammers evolve. One such scam phone call promised a woman $5 million on behalf of her deceased veteran brother.

The second part may be scammers trying to obtain personal information over the phone or direct people to a fraudulent website. Once at the website, users may be urged to download malicious software or fill out a form with personal information.

Camp Lejeune filing fee scam details

Camp Lejeune water scams may also include attempting to take money from veterans and family members looking for compensation. 

Scammers may follow the same contact procedure above and then demand a “filing fee.” They may position this fee as an upfront cost to receive a large award. The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers may use this tactic multiple times on the same person before disappearing once the scam victim becomes suspicious. Filing fees aren’t required when filing a claim with the Department of the Navy.

What to watch out for to avoid a Camp Lejeune scam 

Veterans, their family members and workers who lived or worked at the base can help protect themselves from Camp Lejeune scams by watching out for a few common signals that something may be a scam.

• Be wary of monetary promises. Scammers may promise large payouts for Camp Lejeune victims. They may apply pressure by using words like “act now” or “fast cash.” They may also ask victims to join a Camp Lejeune class action lawsuit. This is a scam because there technically is not a class action. The only way to file a real Camp Lejeune claim is by filing with the Department of the Navy before Aug. 9, 2024. Note, there is no guarantee of when an award may come or how much it would be. No one can guarantee you will receive money for your Camp Lejeune claims.
• Do not download anything to your devices. Malware may be hidden in emails, text messages or on websites. Be wary of any message or site that asks you to navigate somewhere new, download something or fill out a form with too many personal details.
• Do not respond to unsolicited promises of Camp Lejeune awards. If you have not contacted a lawyer for information about a Camp Lejeune claim, be very wary of anyone reaching out to you. Legitimate Camp Lejeune lawyers and veterans’ representatives do not cold call people, but scammers often do.
• Look for firms with a reputable history. If you are interested in a Camp Lejeune claim, contact a firm with a legitimate track record. You can vet a firm by looking for its name in news articles, court records and legal releases. You can also check with the state bar of the lawyer’s home state.

People can also spot scams by educating themselves on the legitimate details of a Camp Lejeune claim. Scammers may rely on a person’s lack of knowledge about the new PACT Act and Camp Lejeune claim details. To help avoid falling prey to these attempts, learn more about what the Act actually says.

What does the Camp Lejeune Justice Act actually do? 

In August 2022, President Biden signed the Honoring Our PACT Act into law. It included the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, which created a way for people affected by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune to file claims for compensation. The deadline to file a claim is August 9, 2024. After that point, CLJA claims will be forever barred.

Affected individuals must first file an administrative claim with the Department of the Navy (DON). Claimants then follow the DON process. This could result in an elective option settlement offer from the DON for quick resolution.

Read more about the department’s announcement of an elective option for settlement in this blog post from Joe Rice.

If the DON does not deny an administrative claim or takes longer than 6 months to resolve a filed administrative claim, the person who filed the administrative claim may then file a lawsuit.

It is important to note the CLJA eligibility requirements and criteria say that the injured person must have:

1. Lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 or more total days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 (includes individuals in utero)
2. Developed a qualifying health condition, including diseases
   • Aplastic anemia
   • Bladder cancer
   • Cardiac birth defects
   • Kidney cancer
   • Leukemia
   • Liver cancer
   • Multiple myeloma
   • Myelodysplastic syndromes
   • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
   • Other kidney and end stage renal diseases
   • Parkinson's disease
   • Systemic scleroderma
   • Systemic sclerosis
   • Certain other diseases/conditions

If you meet these criteria you may submit a claim for compensation. Victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination deserve compensation if qualified. Understanding the guidelines could help avoid scams. Doing your research could help you find an attorney or law firm qualified to file a Camp Lejeune claim for veterans, their families and those civilians who worked on the base.

Our history representing veterans

Motley Rice is proud to represent veterans and their families in litigations in which U.S. service men and women and contractors were harmed by alleged preventable hazards. We have litigated matters involving:

• 3M earplugs and hearing loss
• EFP roadside bombs manufactured by terrorists
• Exposure to toxic materials, including asbestos, fire fighting foam, PFAS
• Exposure to toxins released from burn pits at military facilities

Our law firm has the experience to file claims, litigate cases and negotiate settlements as needed for those hurt or injured by toxic water at Camp Lejeune.