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

For decades, Camp Lejeune Marines and their families have fought for justice after they ingested toxic water supplied by the military installation. Their lawsuits, or attempts to find legal representation, went nowhere.

Then science and Congress finally caught up to what they suspected for years — the water was killing people and somebody needed to pay.

A bill that’s awaiting a minor technical change and the president’s signature will finally provide a legal avenue for those who got sick or had family members who got sick and died. Lawyers aren’t waiting for the president’s John Hancock. They’re paying for a flurry of online commercials and television ads to recruit plaintiffs.

Many are out-of-state law firms or so-called lead generators recruiting veterans and their families to sue if they were impacted by toxic water at Camp Lejeune from decades ago.

"I know I asked over 30 attorneys," former Camp Lejeune resident Audrey Williams Pride told WRAL Investigates when talking about the legal challenges of old. "Not one of them would take the case."

Pride lived on base with her Navy husband in the 1980s. A complication-free pregnancy ended with the stillbirth of her son, Willie. She now hopes the new legislation will hold the military accountable. "For me, it’s about justice," she said.

The Honoring Our PACT Act lists several cancers and other diseases that are now linked to exposure to the toxic water, which essentially lowers the burden of proof for those seeking compensation.

"Well, it’s sad. It’s slow. Justice can be slow sometimes," Raleigh attorney Stacy Miller told WRAL Investigates. He and Ben Whitley have joined their firms’ forces to represent eligible Lejeune families. So far, there are more than 300 potential clients.

"I’m taking on these cases to give North Carolina people a North Carolina voice," Whitley said.

Miller agrees that local attorneys should take charge.

"These are North Carolina cases in North Carolina courtrooms in front of North Carolina juries," Miller said.

As local attorneys, they urge the public to think twice about out-of-state solicitation, whether it’s a law firm or a company recruiting clients to provide to attorneys. Miller says the reason for the surge in out-of-state interest is simple.

"There’s a bunch of money involved," Miller said.

"The public should ask questions," Whitley warns. "Anytime they’re calling a number that’s purporting to give them legal advice, find out if they’re getting legal advice from an actual lawyer."

After decades of waiting and suffering, Lejeune families now must maneuver a legal maze to get help, though it’s better than the roadblocks they’ve faced for years.