01. What documents are needed to support my claim?

1. Proof of residence or service (POE) on base Camp Lejeune (military records, housing records, employment records, any type of record or document). Remember, only exposure to water on base counts for a claim.
2. Medical records (POI) showing diagnosis of claim medical condition(s).
3. Impact Statement a letter written by the claimant explaining the who, what, when, where and why on base CLJ. We can provide this to DON to support your claim.

02. What if I do not have proof of being on base and/or can only estimate dates?

1. A claim can be denied for failure to provide acceptable proof of being on base. DON has access to several government databases containing proof of on base information for military personnel, family housing, and employees. DON will search those databases for proof of being on base as part of its review process.
2. Your Impact Statement is a type of unofficial proof that we will provide DON.
3. Estimated dates are common and accepted when filing a claim.

03. How long does the claims process take?

1. Processing times vary, the Dept. of the Navy (“DON”) is actively reviewing all claims but is very behind. DON is not required to review and decide a claim within six months of it being filed. If denied, you have the right to file a lawsuit. We cannot say for sure, and DON will not be clear on the timeline, but they may need all of 2025 to resolve claims.

04. Is there a way to speed up my claim?

1. No there is not. DON will not accept requests to speed up the review process on a specific claim.

05. Am I allowed to contact DON myself?

1. Yes, but DON will not communicate with you, answer questions, or share information because you are represented by counsel. DON will inform you of this and then DON will inform us so we can contact you.

06. What is the Elective Option (“EO”) program and what if I do not qualify?

1. The DON created the EO program, and it comes with a specific set of rules and criteria. DON states it will review the filed claim information to determine if a claimant qualifies for EO. To date, DON has not informed our office of having assessed any of our claims for EO.
2. A claim that does not qualify for EO simply means it cannot participate in the EO program. The claim remains valid for review and compensation outside of EO.

07. How much compensation can I receive?

1. The amount of compensation varies depending on the severity of your illness, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. There is no fixed payout amount, as each case is reviewed individually.

08. Do estate claims have to go through probate, and who is paid any settlement?

1. Yes, at some point. The government will not pay any money on an estate claim until probate is complete and an Administrator of the estate has been appointed.
2. Completing probate also helps our office in obtaining records on behalf of the estate.
3. The law of the state and estate documents determine who is paid and how much. No person, not even the Administrator, can change who is paid or the amount.

09. Are Attorney Fees capped?

1. Not currently. There are no laws capping attorney fees on claims because the CLJA did not include caps. DON has its opinion on caps, but their opinion is not the law. In 2025, we expect to hear more from Congress on this topic.

10. Will the DOGE firings of DON and VA employees affect my claim?

1. Not that we are aware. The US Government or DON have not made any announcements on this question and have not provided us any information.

11. What is the relationship between a CLJA claim and a VA claim for benefits?

1. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (“CLJA”) claim is separate from a VA disability claim. Even if you already receive VA benefits for a related condition, you can still file a claim under this act. You can have both claims. This is not “double dipping”, and you are never denied VA benefits by filing a CLJA claim.

12. Who are Advoc8se? Why are they working my claim?

1. Advoc8se is the dedicated client support and litigation management team for Pulaski Kherkher Law Firm. They assist with case updates, document processing, and ensuring smooth communication throughout the legal process.
2. You can contact Advoc8se by phone or email:
   
   1. Phone: +1 713-832-1347
   2. Toll Free: +855-371-8703
   3. Email: clientcare@pulaskifirm.com
3. The law of the state and estate documents determine who is paid and how much. No person, not even the Administrator, can change who is paid or the amount.