WILMINGTON, N.C. — On Wednesday, President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act into law, making it easier for veterans who were exposed to toxins while serving to get the care and benefits that they need.

Now, veterans who have been suffering for years can finally file claims, and attorney Brandon Pettijohn expects a major influx.

Before Pettijohn became an attorney, he served in the Marine Corps. While stationed at Camp Lejeune, he heard rumors about contaminated water, but once they were proven true, he was on a mission to help his comrades.

Marine Corps veteran and attorney Brian Pettijohn at his office in Wilmington. (Photo: Natalie Mooney)

“When I opened my own law practice, I saw an opportunity where I might be able to help my fellow Marines, my fellow people that live in the Wilmington area, people all over the country that were affected by Camp Lejeune and decided to run with it,” Pettijohn said. “So I partnered with some law firms across the country, and we’re gong to hopefully be able to make a huge impact for people — you know, Marines, sailors, private contractors, family members — who did nothing wrong but drink the water and ended up with some catastrophic results.”

Included in the PACT Act are an additional 20 presumptive conditions, meaning that veterans will no longer have to prove that issues ranging from respiratory illnesses to different cancers were caused from toxic exposure during their service.

Brian Pettijohn expects an influx of claims from veterans over exposure to toxins now that the PACT Act has been signed into law. (Photo: Natalie Mooney)

“So there will certainly be an influx in the cases that are being, you know, kind of being gone through by the VA, and they’re anticipated to hire a lot of new staff to help deal with this,” Pettijohn said. “But as veterans are aware, it’s a hurry up and wait game a lot of the time. So if you have one of the conditions that has a presumptive link, then you need to hurry up and make that claim.”

It’s a process that Pettijohn understands can be complicated, and he’s ready to help his fellow veterans through it so that they can finally get the care that they were promised.

“It’s personal for me,” Pettijohn said. “And so I’m really proud to be a part of our team that is gunning for the government to do the right thing and to compensate these individuals who, again, you know, committed the crime of drinking water.”

If you would like to learn more about the PACT Act, you can read about it here.