U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) on June 25 led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in introducing legislation that aims to remove legal roadblocks that have stalled justice for United States military veterans and others harmed by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The measure is a companion bill to one sponsored in March by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC).
Rep. Murphy sponsored the Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act, H.R. 4145, which would make technical corrections to the 2022 Camp Lejeune Justice Act to ensure victims can receive timely court access, including jury trials, and reduce a backlog of more than 400,000 unresolved claims.
“The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was enacted to address the injustices our veterans, their dependents, civil servants, and contractors faced by drinking contaminated water and simplify the process to be justly compensated,” Rep. Murphy said. “Unfortunately, unforeseen obstacles still prevent many from accessing the support they need. This bill provides important reforms to reduce the case backlog and provide timely resolutions and long-awaited closure for those affected.”
Rep. Murphy proposed H.R. 4145 alongside 22 original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Pat Harrigan (R-NC), Andy Barr (R-KY), and Deborah Ross (D-NC).
Enacted in 2022 as part of the PACT Act, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows veterans and civilians to file tort claims against the U.S. government for damages related to harm caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between Aug. 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1987.
Currently, there are 408,000 pending claims with the U.S. Department of the Navy and not a single case has gone to trial while the U.S. Department of Justice litigates against victims, according to the lawmakers.
To correct the record and ensure victims have access to appropriate justice, H.R. 4145 would make technical corrections to the law and effectuate more swift relief for victims by clearly providing for jury trials, not just bench trials; expressly stating that victims must show general causation; permitting cases to be heard in any federal court in North and South Carolina; and capping attorney fees at 20 percent for settlements and 25 percent for trials, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Murphy’s office.
H.R. 4145 is companion legislation to the same-named S. 907, sponsored on March 6 by Sen. Tillis alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
“Currently, veterans and other victims exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune are running into roadblocks that are denying them their day in court before a jury for the often-crippling and deadly medical conditions they have suffered,” said Sen. Tillis on Wednesday. “Since my time as Speaker of the North Carolina House, 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.
“I am proud to introduce this legislation with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring justice for victims and provide a path forward for justice after decades of delay,” he added.