Senator Collins Introduces Legislative Effort to Protect Camp Lejeune Vets from Unscrupulous Trial Lawyers
Legislation would cap fees charged by lawyers in Camp Lejeune water contamination cases
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and eight other Senators were joined by U.S. Representatives Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Mike Bost (R-IL), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC), in introducing the Protect Camp Lejeune Victims Ensnared by Trial-lawyers’ Scams (VETS) Act. The bill would cap the fees trial lawyers can charge in cases representing sick Marines and other individuals impacted by water contamination at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Impacted individuals are able to seek compensation as a result of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which became law in August in the larger Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. According to the latest information provided by the United States Navy, there are currently 20,000 cases that have been filed so far, with the claims averaging $10 million or more.
“The Marines and other victims of the life-threatening water contamination at Camp Lejeune deserve quality legal representation as they pursue their cases,” said Senator Collins. “Our legislation would protect these victims and their families by providing a reasonable cap on the often exorbitant legal fees that have been charged by trial lawyers in these cases.”
Other cosponsors of the bill in the Senate include Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Barrasso (R-WY), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Joni Ernst (R-IA).
The Protect Camp Lejeune VETS Act is endorsed by the American Legion, which urged Congress to prevent this injustice by capping trial lawyer fees in the legislation.
HOTLINE: Veterans and their families with questions or who want to report fraud can contact the Department of Justice through the dedicated CLJA hotline (202-353-4426) and email box (CampLejeune.PACTAct@usdoj.gov).
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