Our Founding Partner, Frank Aloia, Jr. speaks candidly about the Bobby Nichols Foundation and the charities it supports such as the Children’s Advocacy Center, ACT, Pace Center for Girls and many others that help abused and at-risk children. Frank is new to the board of directors and was honored to have been asked to join. The board helps organize the events and galas the foundation puts on each year.
Show Notes
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination: What You Need to Know
A Community Discussion Featuring Attorneys from Aloia Roland and Levin Papantonio Rafferty
Overview: This informative session was hosted by Ty Roland of Aloia Roland and featured expert insights from Levin Papantonio Rafferty, a nationally recognized law firm leading the charge in Camp Lejeune litigation. The discussion focused on the history of toxic water contamination at Camp Lejeune, legal rights under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, and how victims can pursue compensation.
Key Speakers:
- Ty Roland, Partner at Aloia Roland
- Sarah Papantonio, Attorney at Levin Papantonio Rafferty
- Carol Moore, Environmental Legal Investigator
- Justin Breyers, Environmental Consultant
Highlights from the Discussion:
What Happened at Camp Lejeune?
Between the 1950s and 1980s, service members and families stationed at Camp Lejeune were exposed to dangerous chemicals through contaminated drinking water. The exposure is linked to numerous serious illnesses, including:
- Leukemia
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Various cancers
- Birth defects and more
Contaminated water sources included:
- Tarawa Terrace
- Hadnot Point
- Holcomb Boulevard
What Caused the Contamination?
- Industrial waste runoff from a nearby dry cleaner (ABC Cleaners)
- Underground fuel tank leaks
- Mismanagement and cover-ups by the U.S. government
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act
Enacted in August 2022, this law allows veterans, family members, and civilians who lived or worked on base for 30+ days to file claims for damages related to water exposure.
Important:
- Claims must be filed within two years of the law’s passage.
- Exposure alone is not enough—injuries or illnesses must be proven.
- The law lowers the burden of proof to “at least as likely as not.”
- Government immunity has been waived for this litigation.
Who Can File?
- Veterans
- Family members (including children and spouses)
- Civilian employees and contractors
How Are Claims Handled?
- File an Administrative Claim with the Department of the Navy.
- If no resolution in 6 months, file a lawsuit in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
What Can You Recover?
- Economic Damages (through VA or litigation): medical bills, lost wages
- Non-Economic Damages (only through litigation): pain and suffering, loss of companionship, emotional distress
VA Benefits vs. Lawsuit: Can You Do Both?
Yes. But compensation from one may be offset by the other. VA benefits typically cover only economic damages, while litigation can address non-economic harms.
Next Steps: If you or a loved one lived or worked at Camp Lejeune and have been diagnosed with a serious illness, now is the time to explore your legal options.
For a case review or more information, contact the legal team at Aloia Roland.
Video Timestamp Topics:
- 0:00 – Welcome and introductions
- 1:00 – Why Camp Lejeune matters
- 3:00 – Overview of legal team and their experience
- 4:00 – What toxins were involved
- 7:00 – Areas of contamination on base
- 11:00 – Government cover-up timeline
- 14:00 – What the Justice Act allows
- 16:00 – Claim process explained20:00 – Burden of proof and evidence needed
- 24:00 – VA benefits vs. legal compensation
- 27:00 – Offsets and non-economic damages
- 33:00 – Final thoughts and Q&A
