JACKSONVILLE,  N.C.  – Thousands of retired military members and their families exposed to contaminated drinking water at a Camp LeJeune will not get their civil claims, as the Navy announced their decision to deny them.

  • Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer made the announcement on Thursday
  • This impacts roughly 4,400 people
  • Total amount claimed by all the victims was approximately $963 billion

Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer made the announcement on Thursday, impacting roughly 4,400 people. The total amount claimed by all the victims was approximately $963 billion, including a single $900 billion claim.

They allege personal injury or wrongful death from being exposed to hazardous chemicals that were accidentally introduced to drinking wells at Camp Lejeune from the 1953 to the 1987.

The Navy says the decision to deny the claims comes in part from a 2016 court case that says they have "no legal authority" to pay out.

Spencer calls it a "difficult decision," but says Congress and the Department of Veteran Affairs have provided funds and other means of support to those affected by the contamination incident.

Jerry Ensminger, one well-known advocate on the issue whose 9-year-old daughter died from leukemia, says the government is trying to hide the facts from the courts.

 

 

"When you start laying out all the violations they committed, and the lies they've told over the years, and just their horrendous conduct, the merits of the case don’t fall on their side,’’ he said.

The current medical treatment available will not be impacted by this decision. Victims have six months to file their cases to federal court.

Sen. Thom Tillis, who has worked with Ensminger on this issue for years, released the following statement:

“Over the past few years, we have made meaningful progress on behalf of service members and families who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. While this announcement will understandably cause concern among Camp Lejeune veterans and their families, I want them to know that I will continue pursuing legislative and administrative remedies to ensure that all affected parties are made whole. I remain committed to leaving no stone unturned when it comes to fulfilling our obligations to the brave men and women who served our nation.”