Terry McClure, a veteran who served at Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps training facility in North Carolina exposed to contaminated drinking water, was diagnosed with multiple health issues including Parkinson’s disease, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. McClure filed a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act which aimed to expedite litigation for victims of the contamination. However, before his case could progress, McClure passed away. The Navy has received over 320,000 claims related to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune but has settled only 64 so far. Many victims have expressed frustration with the slow progress and lack of justice in their cases.
President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act in 2022, allowing those exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to file new lawsuits if the Navy fails to resolve their initial claims. The Justice Department and Navy have implemented a streamlined process to settle claims, with varying amounts offered based on specific diseases and duration of exposure at Camp Lejeune. While some claims have been settled, many are still pending, leading to criticism from attorneys and victims for the slow pace of progress.
Terry McClure’s widow, Denise, expressed disappointment with the lack of justice for her late husband, who suffered greatly from the health issues related to the contaminated water. She believes that a larger settlement from the government would have greatly improved his quality of life before his passing. Denise now fights for justice for other victims still alive, as the long legal process continues for those affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
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