Nine months since President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation to help people impacted decades ago by contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, some victims say the federal government is dragging its feet.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allowed victims to take legal action against the federal government. The government has acknowledged that chemicals in Camp Lejeune's water from 1953 to 1987 are responsible for causing cancer, Parkinson's disease, and other illnesses.

What You Need To Know

  • The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allowed victims to take legal action against the federal government over effects from contaminated water at the Jacksonville, N.C. Marine Corps base.
  • According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as many as a million people might have been exposed to the contaminated drinking water

  • In a House Armed Services hearing in late April, Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., asked the Secretary of the Navy how it will streamline the process

  • Jerry Ensminger lost his nine-year-old daughter, Janey, in 1985; She had been diagnosed with leukemia and had also been exposed to the water

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as many as a million people might have been exposed to the contaminated drinking water at the Jacksonville, N.C. base.

Since August, the Navy says more than 45,000 claims have been filed. But none of those claims have been settled.

"My jaw about hit the floor," said Mike Partain, who said he got male breast cancer after being exposed to the water at Lejeune. "To me, that's completely inexcusable. The government knew that this law was coming."

In a hearing last month, federal Judge James Dever of the Eastern District of North Carolina said, "It's disappointing there haven't been any offers," adding that handling all potential cases could take decades or even hundreds of years. 

In a House Armed Services hearing in late April, Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., asked the Secretary of the Navy how it will streamline the process.

"I have to look at doing that," said Navy Sec. Carlos Del Toro. "But, you know, each case has to be investigated. Each case has to be looked at carefully. It's a matter of law."

Davis told Spectrum News after the hearing that he wasn't happy with the Secretary's response. 

"Absolutely not…what I continue to hear. 'We'll get back with you. Our legal team is looking at it.' Families want answers, and I want answers," Davis said.

The Navy, which handles administrative claims, tells Spectrum News that adjudicating them is complex and time-consuming. The Navy notes that some cases involve information dating back four decades.

The branch added: "The Navy remains committed to resolving all claims related to this matter as fairly, thoroughly, and expeditiously as possible."

Jerry Ensminger lost his nine-year-old daughter, Janey, in 1985. She had been diagnosed with leukemia and had also been exposed to the water.

Ensminger fears victims suffering from life-threatening illnesses will pass away before their settlement is reached.

"Nothing is going to bring Janey back…but we got people out there right now that are still suffering, and they need to see some kind of justice, and it's being delayed."

Victims have more than a year to file claims with the Navy.