Camp Lejeune Scams: Ways to Avoid, the Navy’s Response, and More

You’re probably considering filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit on behalf of a family member. For that, you want to understand the current situation of this litigation.

Well, just as the first trial dates were approaching, scammers started to wreak havoc among thousands of Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) claims. This wave of fraudulent activities, including Camp Lejeune Scams, is slowly tainting the payouts for the actual victims of the Lejeune water crisis.

In this blog, we will discuss the types of scams, ways to avoid them, the Navy’s response, and more. But first, let’s travel back in time to understand what exactly happened at this Marine base.

A Peek Into History: The Story of the Camp Lejeune Water Crisis

After being established in the early ‘40s, Camp Lejeune quickly became America’s pride. Located in North Carolina (NC), this Marine Corps base was home to the nation’s finest soldiers and their families.

However, 40 years later, this facility’s name got tainted. Due to corporate misconduct and government negligence, thousands of civilians, workers, and veterans suffered severe consequences.

Every resident living or working there between 1957 and 1987 was exposed to toxic chemicals through drinking water. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until 1982 that researchers found high levels of carcinogens in the camp’s drinking water.

Dry cleaning solvents, degreasers, and other volatile organic compounds had seeped into water treatment plants. This unfortunate incident happened due to the illegal waste disposal methods of a dry cleaning company.

Therefore, continuous exposure led residents to develop life-threatening health issues. These included all types of cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, fertility issues, developmental delays in children, heart problems, etc.

Since the Navy knew about this risk, the victims held the government responsible for everything. They wanted to file lawsuits. However, sovereign immunity protected the federal government from legal repercussions and stopped veterans from getting justice.

Thankfully, the Biden administration passed the CLJA in 2022. According to TorHoerman Law, the CLJA finally allowed victims to secure financial compensation from the Navy. This law ensured every victim could file claims for damages like medical bills, loss of income, permanent disability, pain, etc.

Understanding the Camp Lejeune Scams

Ever since the CLJA was passed, the best lawyers for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit have been working tirelessly to bring justice. However, massive roadblocks have always threatened the outcome of this litigation.

In 2023, an obscure NC law stopped out-of-state lawyers from representing Lejeune water crisis victims. It forced a few plaintiffs to find lawyers registered in the state and file lawsuits all over again.

Similarly, this year started with CLJA scam alerts. On January 9th, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) warned Lejeune victims against fraudulent and unscrupulous parties or schemes.

Scammers consider the vulnerability of Lejeune victims to be an opportunity for exploitation. They are forcing victims to pay fees and give personal information by promising quick outcomes or services. Eventually, the victims will understand they’ve been scammed since the promises will never be met.

Look Out for These

Some examples of fraudulent activities include the following:

• Real-looking phishing emails that redirect you to fake websites imitating a trusted organization.
• Links that ask you to provide personal information, including social security numbers, addresses, passwords, etc.
• Pre-recorded voicemails that promise quick and hefty compensation if you pay a filing fee.

Other than these, the scammers are promising vulnerable victims access to VA benefits if they continue with a monthly subscription. Unfortunately, these organizations don’t have VA accreditation, making their operations illegal.

4 Tips to Avoid the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Scams

If you’re concerned about being scammed, then you should follow these tips before disclosing your information:

• Ensure that the websites are safe and secure by checking the link and SSL certificate.
• Avoid responding to robocalls or pre-recorded voicemails.
• Don’t open unsolicited text messages, links, or emails from unofficial sources.
• Remember that no trustworthy attorney will ask for upfront fees to file a VA benefits claim.

You should also be skeptical if any law firm promises instant payouts. All these tips will help you determine which legal route is correct and reputable.

What Has the Navy Done to Mitigate Fraud?

Reports suggest that multiple scammers are currently targeting CLJA claimants to defraud them and obtain their personal information. That’s why the Navy, attorneys, and the DOJ have advised victims to be cautious about fraudulent calls or emails.

Other than the warning, the Navy’s Camp Lejeune Claims Unit (CLCU) has also issued guidance:

• The DOJ will never seek payments from a claimant.
• Direct all telephonic or email inquiries to the attorney for verification.
• Official emails will be sent from the authorized ID: ‘CLClaims@us.navy.mil.’
• Authorities will only contact an attorney to provide updates or discuss the claim.

Don’t have an attorney to represent your case? Then, you can contact the CLCU at (757) 241-6020 to report any fraudulent calls or emails.

How Can You Find a Trustworthy Attorney?

With all this negativity revolving around the Lejeune lawsuits, it can get hard for victims to trust anyone involved.

But eventually, you might feel overwhelmed as you try to find the best law firm to represent your case. That’s because you probably don’t know how to find an experienced lawyer who can help you win such a twisted legal process.

Therefore, you should look for the following qualities in a lawyer or law firm representing your Camp Lejeune case:

• A dedicated team of established, experienced, and dependable lawyers.
• There should be no hidden fees or upfront payments for reviewing your case.
• A long list of positive client reviews or testimonials.
• The lawyer or law firm should have a VA-accredited credential.
• The attorney should have a successful case history that they are willing to share.
• The attorney consults with you before presenting the case or gathering evidence.

If you follow these tips to find a lawyer, you’ll steer clear of any scams and get the right compensation.

In conclusion, the Camp Lejeune lawsuits are a reminder of corporate misconduct and federal injustice. Therefore, the government is now trying its best to offer the rightful compensation to the veterans, their families, civilians, workers, etc.

According to Bloomberg Law, this case is expected to reach a total settlement of USD 3.3 trillion. That’s why the case has attracted various scammers looking to make a profit from exploiting vulnerable individuals. Over 1 million victims are yet to receive the compensation they deserve due to the delays caused by such instances.