President Joe Biden has recently signed the PACT Act into law. Officially called the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, the PACT Act massively expands benefits for U.S. military veterans who were exposed to toxic substances while in the service.
For years, countless military veterans have complained of inadequate healthcare opportunities and financial benefits after toxic exposure illnesses and injuries left them with long-term disabilities and health complications. The PACT Act is the answer to their calls and concerns.
Some of the most important changes caused by the PACT Act include:
- Extends the time period for certain combat veterans to enroll in VA healthcare plans post-discharge.
- Creates more opportunities for healthcare screenings and services specifically related to toxic exposures.
- Codifies a new VA process to evaluate risks of toxic military environmental exposure.
- Allows for the presumption that a veteran’s symptoms were caused by toxic exposure during service.
- Approves new studies of veteran health trends that could be significantly impacted by toxic exposure incidents.
- Sets up regular screening procedures for toxic exposure-related concerns and an outreach program to educate more veterans about these new benefits.
PACT Act Includes Camp Lejeune Justice Act
Importantly, the PACT Act included the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. This specific act allows military veterans to bring lawsuits against the federal government for toxic water contamination at United States Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, which was ongoing for decades. Typically, the process of filing an injury claim against the federal government is as complicated as it is challenging. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act helps by blocking the federal government from using specific toxic exposure defense strategies, and it makes a two-year lookback window for new claims that otherwise would have been beyond the usual 6-month statute of limitations.
With the PACT Act passed and signed, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act has passed as well. There is no better time than right now for military veterans, contractors, and their families to see if they can be compensated for the harm caused by time spent at Camp Lejeune. Once the two-year lookback window closes, the opportunity to take legal action will likely never come up again.
If you have questions about how to use your new rights and options under the PACT Act and Camp Lejeune Justice Act, then please contact our firm, Golomb Legal. Our PACT Act lawyers would be honored to review your situation and see what benefits are available to you and if you can also file a claim. You can get VA benefits for toxic exposure treatments and file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
Let us thank you, one of our country’s brave protectors, by offering our highly awarded legal services to you. Just dial (215) 278-4449 now.