Questions to ask when deciding on law firm to handle Camp Lejeune water claims

The newly-signed PACT Act has already led to the first lawsuit over cancer-causing water at Camp Lejeune.

Posted 8:24 p.m. Aug 18, 2022 — Updated 10:00 p.m. Aug 18, 2022

Keely Arthur

, WRAL consumer reporter

The newly-signed PACT Act has already led to the first lawsuit over cancer-causing water at Camp Lejeune.

An overwhelming number of law firms are now advertising, looking to handle cases for Marines and their families who may have a claim.

It led a viewer, John Robinson, to reach out to WRAL 5 On Your Side’s Keely Arthur, looking for help figuring out which firms are reputable.

"My family was involved in the military from 1960 to 1966," Robinson said.

However, Robinson fears the time they all spent at Camp Lejeune may have led to serious health issues. It’s where his younger brother was conceived and born with a heart defect.

"He still struggles as an adult," Robinson said about his brother. "He has health issues that are directly related back to the fact that his heart is not as strong as it would have been if it was complete when he was born."

In 2005, Robinson’s mother died after a battle with breast and lung cancers. Five years later, his father passed away from stomach cancer.

Robinson believes the water at Camp Lejeune severely impacted the health of his parents and brother.

According to investigators, hundreds of thousands of Marines and their families living on base were exposed to well water contaminated by cleaning solvents between 1953 and 1987. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, part of the PACT Act signed this month, lets military families who lived on base during that time sue for relief.

'There's a bunch of money': Lawyers line up to represent victims of Camp Lejeune toxic water

Ads offering to help these families file lawsuits have suddenly started coming in from every direction.

"The most frustrating thing is trying to find a law firm I feel comfortable with," Robinson said.

Robinson then decided to reach out to 5 On Your Side with questions about one firm’s request.

"[It said] sign documentation that says, ‘We can charge you undisclosed amount of money for anything we think we’re doing,’ which immediately sends off red flags," Robinson said.

Attorneys 5 on Your Side spoke with explain, there are upfront costs with a case like this.

Some questions to ask when deciding on a law firm to represent you:

Make sure any agreement you sign clearly states whether you are responsible for up front costs or if they’ll come out of a settlement.
Ask whether you have to pay anything if your case doesn’t settle or go to trial.
Does the law firm regularly handle complex personal injury cases?
Do they have experience representing plaintiffs in Camp Lejeune cases?
You can also check to make sure the attorney you’re considering is in good standing with the NC State Bar by visiting the North Carolina State Bar's website.

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