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Lawyers are seeking clients for Camp Lejeune water claims, but veterans may be better off waiting

Potential claimants only have until August 2024 to file. But Murray said neither that deadline nor the urgent-sounding ads are a reason to rush to sign an attorney. He said for now, the VFW is advising veterans to consult an accredited veteran service officer at a group like his or a state veterans affairs office. Those advocates who are trained to navigate the sometimes confusing bureaucracy of benefits.

Read MoreLawyers are seeking clients for Camp Lejeune water claims, but veterans may be better off waiting

VA warns of PACT Act scams targeting veterans

PACT Act fraudsters may call veterans and falsely portray themselves as a VA employee or claim they can help them receive benefits. They have also sent emails and run commercials promising the same assistance — for a fee. Of course, some will mention specific service locations (North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune is a big one) and/or medical conditions, such as leukemia or liver cancer, that might make a vet eligible for payments.

Read MoreVA warns of PACT Act scams targeting veterans

No, people affected by Camp Lejeune toxic water don’t need a lawyer to file compensation claim

“The Department of the Navy is committed to resolving all claims related to this matter in a fair and timely manner. All claims will be processed as quickly as possible; however, due to the large amount of claims anticipated to be received, we cannot forecast an expected processing time. Submitting your claim via email will assist in expediting your claim,” the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps says.

Read MoreNo, people affected by Camp Lejeune toxic water don’t need a lawyer to file compensation claim

Lawyers are seeking clients for Camp Lejeune water claims. But veterans may be better off waiting

“The law just gives a very basic framework,” Murray said. "There's a lot of questions that we still have that need answers before we're 100% comfortable giving someone the recommendation to sign your name on the dotted line that may require money.”

Read MoreLawyers are seeking clients for Camp Lejeune water claims. But veterans may be better off waiting