Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update 2024

Latest News on Camp Lejeune Lawsuits

As of April 2024, $9.6 million in Camp Lejeune payouts have been made. Join the thousands of families who have filed their Camp Lejeune claims.

Our legal partners have already helped over 30,000 families with their Camp Lejeune claims. Contact us right now to find out if we can help you, too.

1. Key Updates From the Latest Camp Lejeune Status Report

April 22, 2024 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

In recent developments from the Eastern District of North Carolina, lawyers for both sides have released a new Joint Status Report detailing advancements in ongoing Camp Lejeune litigation.

Here are the essential Camp Lejeune lawsuit updates:

• Total settlement payments: Settlement offers totaling $9.6 million have been paid out to claimants suffering from various health conditions connected to the contaminated water.
• Settlement offers accepted: 22 claimants have accepted settlement offers from the Navy for conditions such as bladder cancer, leukemia, and Parkinson’s disease.
• Payout ranges: A total of 40 payouts have been made by the federal government. Individual payouts range from $100,000 to $450,000, depending on the severity and type of condition.
• Status of litigation: The Camp Lejeune lawsuit continues to progress, with ongoing reviews and claims processing. As more claims are substantiated, new settlements are expected.

With the August 10th deadline quickly approaching, working with an experienced Camp Lejeune lawyer becomes critical due to the complexity of the process, which will likely evolve rapidly.

The Camp Lejeune Claims Center partners with leading Camp Lejeune law firms. Find out if we can help your family with a free and simple claim review.

2. Camp Lejeune Status Conference Update

April 5, 2024 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, lawyers for both sides met to discuss the current status of Camp Lejeune litigation.

Here is an update from the latest Camp Lejeune status meeting:

• Classification of diseases: How to classify certain illnesses — especially those involving neurobehavioral effects — is under review.
• Discovery update: The process of gathering testimonies and evidence is almost complete for the first group of plaintiffs. Next, more detailed interviews with family members and physicians will occur.
• Medical records: Agreements on handling medical records are being finalized to ensure sensitive health information is shared appropriately, maintaining privacy and integrity in the legal process.
• Upcoming motions: Discussions focused on key actions that could shape the outcome of Camp Lejeune lawsuits, like pinpointing the cause of illnesses and deciding if a jury should be involved.

3. Insights From the Latest Camp Lejeune Status Report

March 19, 2024 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

On March 5th, a joint status conference took place involving parties from both sides of the Camp Lejeune water litigation.

Here are top insights from the meeting:

• Total payouts: Payments totaling $3.6 million have been made.
• Administrative claims: Approximately 174,891 administrative claims have been filed with the Department of Navy.
• Lawsuits filed: 1,633 legal claims have been filed under the CLJA.
• Settlement offers: The Navy has extended 56 settlement offers, with 24 accepted so far.
• Global settlement efforts: Both sides are discussing a potential agreement to resolve claims on a larger scale.
• Key concerns: The report highlights challenges faced by both parties in managing the legal process, particularly regarding document sharing and the scope of witness testimonies.

4. Setbacks on Camp Lejeune Claims Stir Frustration

February 23, 2024 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

In a disappointing development, the federal government says Camp Lejeune victims must prove their health issues are directly tied to the toxic water. This is a shift from the prior understanding that those with illnesses only need to show they were on base for at least 30 days during the contamination period.

Additionally, the government’s fast-tracked settlement effort has seen minimal success, with just 17 of over 166,000 administrative claims settled. These stark figures highlight a significant gap in addressing the needs of those affected.

In the meantime, certain Camp Lejeune plaintiffs are appealing the recent court decision that denies jury trials, according to Reuters.

Despite the recent hurdles, the Camp Lejeune claims process is reaching a pivotal phase, with significant decisions expected from federal judges that will impact both families and the government.

5. Camp Lejeune Major Developments: Early February Highlights

February 9, 2024 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

Two major developments have unfolded since last month. Here is what Camp Lejeune families need to know.

1. Federal judges struck down the right to jury trials under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022.

Why does this matter? The decision to remove jury trials for Camp Lejeune claims means people can’t have their cases heard by a group of their peers, who might have been more understanding of their situation.

2. The federal government released a Camp Lejeune cancer study following plaintiffs’ push for transparency. The study revealed that military personnel at Camp Lejeune between 1975 and 1985 faced a 20% higher cancer risk than those at other bases due to contaminated water.

Why does this matter? For those who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune, this study provides key evidence of the health risks from the contaminated water, supporting their claims for compensation. It’s also important since it may expand the list of conditions that qualify, including thyroid cancer.

6. Camp Lejeune Cancer Tops List in Early Claims Analysis

January 19, 2024 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

Camp Lejeune payouts totaling $2.2 million have been made, according to a joint status report filed by the federal government and plaintiff lawyers on January 16, 2024.

The report also provided an early analysis of a sample data set of 29,000 Camp Lejeune claims filed to date.

Of these, nearly 40% involved possible Camp Lejeune cancers. Below is a breakdown of the medical conditions in the sample. However, this is just a small fraction of claims that have been filed so far, which now total almost 160,000.

The sample pool suggests a large number of claims involve conditions that don’t qualify for the government’s voluntary Elective Option (EO).

This could mean many victims will need to file lawsuits. The best way to ensure this is done properly and before the August 2024 deadline is to work with an experienced Camp Lejeune attorney.

We partner with the nation’s leading Camp Lejeune law firms, already helping over 30,000 families with their claims. See if we can help your family, too, with a free and simple claim review.

7. Camp Lejeune Litigation: 2024 News and 2023 Recap

January 5, 2024 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

As of January 2024, payouts totaling $2,050,000 in Camp Lejeune settlements were made, according to a joint status report filed by the federal government and plaintiff lawyers.

Since the PACT Act of 2022 passed, justice for Camp Lejeune victims has been frustratingly slow. However, 2023 saw a noticeable uptick in momentum.

Here is an overview of the latest Camp Lejeune claims data:

• 152,377 administrative claims submitted to the Department of the Navy (DON)
• 1,476 lawsuits filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina
• 28 cases qualified for the Elective Option
• $2.05 million paid out in eight EO settlements

These ever-rising numbers are an important reminder for anyone impacted by Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water. The government has set aside at least $21 billion specifically for Camp Lejeune victims.

If your family was affected by the toxic water, it’s not too late to be included, regardless of how long ago the exposure occurred or when your loved one passed away. However, there’s a limited window to file a claim.

8. $1.45 Million Paid Out in Camp Lejeune Claims

December 27, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

As of late December, payments totaling $1,450,000 have been made across six Camp Lejeune cases. Altogether, 147,428 administrative claims have been submitted, and 1,471 Camp Lejeune lawsuits have been filed.

Here is a breakdown of the six Camp Lejeune payouts:

1. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: $300,000
2. Leukemia: $300,000
3. Leukemia: $300,000
4. Parkinson’s disease: $250,000
5. Leukemia: $150,000
6. Bladder cancer: $150,000

Meanwhile, discussions are underway for a global settlement of all Camp Lejeune claims rather than handling each case individually. A court-appointed Special Master might assist in managing this comprehensive strategy, ensuring fairness in the settlement process.

9. Camp Lejeune Settlement Payouts Reach $1 Million

December 6, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

The federal government has made four settlement payouts totaling $1 million. These recent payouts show long-awaited forward movement on the Camp Lejeune settlement timeline.

Here is the latest Camp Lejeune claim data:

• 131,000+ administrative claims submitted
• 1,400+ lawsuits filed in federal court
• 4 settlement payouts made totaling $1 million

Remember, the government has set aside over $21 billion specifically for people affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination.

Call us at (866) 473-4764 or fill out our claim review form to get started right now.

10. $850,000 in Camp Lejeune Settlements Reached

November 13, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

The U.S. government makes its first Camp Lejeune settlement offers and payments totaling $850,000.

Here are the latest Camp Lejeune claim statistics:

• 117,000+ administrative claims submitted
• 1,300 lawsuits filed in federal court
• 23 settlement offers made
• 3 settlement offers accepted
• 2 settlement payouts made

Experts predict even more claims will be filed due to an unpublished study by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) linking higher cancer rates to Camp Lejeune’s water.

11. Backlog of Military Service Records Requests at the National Archives

October 25, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

A backlog of nearly 300,000 records requests has piled up at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), part of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). This bottleneck is not expected to clear until December 2023, according to the NPRC.

Discharge papers (DD Form 214 or equivalent) are the most commonly requested. Since this form is required to file for Camp Lejeune relief, it could mean more frustrating delays for veterans and their loved ones.

It is also another important reminder of the countless veterans and families impacted by the large-scale toxic water disaster at Camp Lejeune.

People are encouraged to contact their member of Congress for help getting records processed faster. Many families have chosen to work with Camp Lejeune lawyers, who handle much of the document retrieval on their behalf.

12. New Appointment to Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee

October 11, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

Jayne Conroy, known nationally as a skilled litigator and legal strategist, has been appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee (PEC) for Camp Lejeune lawsuits in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of North Carolina.

The PEC is central in supporting and advising lead and co-lead counsel, the seven-member team designated by the court to oversee all litigation activities. This framework ensures a structured and collaborative approach toward case proceedings and justice for victims.

“These individuals are seeking a fair resolution and vindication for life-altering sicknesses and injuries.”

—Jayne Conroy

Conroy’s appointment is another step forward for Camp Lejeune victims and their loved ones to finally get the justice and compensation they deserve.

13. New Elective Option Streamlines Claims Process

September 6, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the DON announced a new voluntary process called the “Elective Option.” The option is designed to allow for quicker resolution of certain Camp Lejeune claims.

As with current Camp Lejeune claims, eligible individuals must first submit an administrative claim to the DON. This first step will shape how Camp Lejeune settlement timelines unfold.

The Elective Option is based on two tiers of Camp Lejeune health conditions and corresponding Camp Lejeune settlement amounts. Depending on disease type and exposure duration, payouts will range from $100,000 to $450,000. An additional $100,000 is allocated for death claims.

14. Camp Lejeune Claims Rise Amid $20 Billion Potential Payouts

August 29, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

The federal government estimates its total payout to veterans and their families could be over $20 billion as the number of Camp Lejeune lawsuits rises to 1,100, with administrative claims reaching 93,000.

Meanwhile, legal experts close to the litigation report forward movement, but news stories paint a grim picture. The reality is that many Camp Lejeune victims are passing away before their cases are even heard.

Recent tragedies include a 63-year-old veteran who succumbed to kidney and lung cancers, another to bladder cancer and kidney failure, and a third to bladder cancer. Additionally, a former civilian employee at the base lost her battle with breast cancer.

This growing list of Camp Lejeune water contamination deaths emphasizes the urgent need to expedite the legal process.

15. Lead Lawyers Named to Oversee Camp Lejeune Litigation

July 19, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

The judges overseeing the Camp Lejeune water contamination litigation have appointed attorneys from several law firms to a seven-member leadership team for the plaintiffs.

The team will handle settlement talks, discovery, bellwether trials (test cases to guide future litigation), and communication with the public for about 1,100 cases. New cases are being filed daily, and the co-lead counsel will manage the work for the common benefit of the plaintiffs.

16. Camp Lejeune Claims Surpassed 70,000

June 30, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

The number of Camp Lejeune water contamination administrative claims filed with the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) has exceeded 70,000.

No settlement offers have been made at this time, almost a year after the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) was passed.

Types of Camp Lejeune health condition claims include:

• Aplastic anemia
• Bladder cancer
• Birth defects
• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Female infertility & miscarriage
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Neurological disorders
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Parkinson’s disease
• Prostate cancer
• Sarcoma

If you think your health condition could be linked to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune, it is not too late to be included. Get a free case review now.

17. U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle Allows Government Defenses

June 26, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle allows the government defenses to proceed, although the plaintiffs had requested them to be thrown out.

Furthermore, Judge Boyle agrees with the defendants in that their defenses had to be vague in order to respond to the plaintiff’s complaints, which were also unspecific and overly simplistic.

This was, unfortunately, the expected outcome. However, this event did help Camp Lejeune lawyers to keep adding pressure on the federal government.

18. Camp Lejeune Victims Seek to Dismiss Government Defenses

June 22, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

After the U.S. government provides vague arguments for its defense, 120 plaintiffs come together in a court hearing and ask that these defenses be thrown out.

The government argues in return that their vague defense arguments are in response to claimants’ lawsuits that are also vague.

19. U.S. Department of Justice Moves to Expedite Camp Lejeune Litigation Process

June 21, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

Camp Lejeune cases have quickly grown into one of the largest mass litigations in U.S. history, and the DOJ is calling for a management strategy and consolidation plan.

Meanwhile, the government has been in communication with multiple plaintiffs and law firms and has filed responses to almost 200 lawsuits.

20. Number of Camp Lejeune Water Claims Begins to Slow

June 19, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

With just over 1,000 lawsuits and around 65,000 administrative claims already filed, Camp Lejeune water claims begin to slow down.

Potential reasons why Camp Lejeune water claims are slowing down include:

• Law firms around the country are inundated with cases already filed and with the cases they are currently in the process of filing.
• Most eligible veterans have already filed their claims or lawsuits as soon as possible so as not to miss any deadlines.
• Law firms are more focused on processing current cases than finding new clients.

Even as new claims begin to slow down, experts predict that the total number of claims will double before the time to file is over.

The large number of claims and lawsuits already filed may seem intimidating, but these numbers should not deter new victims from seeking the justice and compensation they deserve.

21. U.S. Navy Cites Budget and Staffing Constraints for Slow Claim Response Time

May 25, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

After even more pressure to start settling claims and lawsuits piling up from Camp Lejeune victims, the U.S. Navy responds by saying they lack the funding and staff to handle the large number of lawsuits.

This response is unsatisfactory for veterans and relatives who got sick or watched loved ones die while waiting for compensation. Many victims were relying on Camp Lejeune veterans support alone and some were denied help at all.

22. Lawmakers Pressure Navy to Issue Camp Lejeune Settlements

May 17, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

With more than 45,000 Camp Lejeune cases now pending and no settlements offered, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers begins to put additional pressure on the JAG.

The Navy promises to have its online portal for managing Camp Lejeune cases running by summer.

23. New Parkinson’s Disease Study Links it to Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water

May 15, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

A new study published by JAMA Neurology (the American Medical Association’s peer-reviewed monthly journal) finds that those who were exposed to the volatile organic compounds in the water at Camp Lejeune have a 70% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

This same study found that the risk was the same for people who drank the toxic water and those exposed through showering.

24. Navy Faces Backlash for Unsettled Claims

May 9, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

The JAG continues to come under pressure for not having settled a single Camp Lejeune case almost nine months after the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was first passed.

Furthermore, the Navy has yet to set up an online portal for processing claims as promised.

25. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Consolidation

May 1, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

The court officially consolidates all Camp Lejeune lawsuits for pretrial discovery into what resembles a class action lawsuit but is more like multidistrict litigation (MDL).

26. Department of Justice Files Extension Request for Claim Answers

April 20, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

The Department of Justice requests an extension on the time allowed to respond to each plaintiff’s complaint due to the high volume of Camp Lejeune administrative claims and lawsuits.

The judge grants this request until May 31, 2023. During this time, lawyers from both sides also file a joint motion to consolidate the pretrial proceedings and other litigation.

27. Camp Lejeune Lawyers Advocate to Consolidate Lawsuits

April 9, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

As the number of Camp Lejeune lawsuits continues to climb, lawyers from both sides begin to request that the cases be consolidated under a single judge and that pretrial proceedings also be consolidated.

While this would not be the same as consolidating cases into a class action lawsuit, it would be done with a similar purpose.

28. Navy JAG Corps Responds to Lack of Claim Review Action

March 27, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

With around 20,000 administrative claims filed up to this point, the JAG has not yet responded to any lawsuits or offered water contamination settlements to any of the victims of Camp Lejeune.

At this point, the JAG is also not accepting any supporting documentation needed from Camp Lejeune victims to move forward.

29. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Count Reaches 260

March 20, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

With more than a month having passed since the 6-month wait period to file civil lawsuits under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act ended, there are currently 260 civil lawsuits already filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

This number is expected to rise steadily — don’t miss your chance to be included. And consider working with an experienced Camp Lejeune lawyer. They will handle the legal work for you, which means less stress for you and your family.

Download our FREE Attorney Checklist for help choosing the best Camp Lejeune lawyer for your case.

30. Freshwater v. United States Highlights Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Effects

February 27, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

This civil lawsuit, filed by Lori Lynn Freshwater against the United States, works to highlight some of the effects and medical conditions caused by Camp Lejeune toxic water exposure.

Lori Lynn filed a wrongful death suit on behalf of her mother, Mary, who was exposed to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. She later had multiple children with birth defects and died from leukemia in 2013.

This case is still in process and has not reached a settlement.

31. VA Tells Camp Lejeune Victims to File for Disability Benefits

February 22, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of the General Counsel urges Camp Lejeune victims to file claims for VA benefits, which include health care and financial payouts for disability.

It also says that filing for VA benefits won’t impact the victims’ ability to get a Camp Lejeune lawsuit settlement. This means veterans can pursue both at the same time.

There may, however, be an offset on these benefits, but this is yet to be determined.

32. Influx of Lawsuits Expected Six Months After Camp Lejeune Justice Act

February 8, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

While the Camp Lejeune Justice Act opened up a two-year window for victims to file lawsuits, it also set in place an initial 6-month administrative claims process, which acts as a waiting period in order to do so.

Because of this, close to 100 lawsuits are expected to be filed immediately with the U.S. District Court of Eastern North Carolina when this waiting period ends.

33. Congressional Budget Office Estimates Global Camp Lejeune Payouts

January 1, 2023 | Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that global Camp Lejeune payouts will amount to approximately $6.1 billion between 2022 and 2031.

While this is an estimate for payouts over the next 10 years, the actual amount could be much higher than this.

Remember that individual settlement amounts and verdicts will vary significantly depending on the circumstances and evidence of medical records in each case.

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update 2022

2022 was also filled with Camp Lejeune lawsuit updates, and by the end of the year, major progress had been made.

President Biden’s signing of the PACT Act into law in August 2022 marked a significant milestone, permitting veterans exposed to the toxic water to start filing compensation claims.

However, so many claims were filed, and this created many issues for the JAG Corps, leading to an ongoing and complex settlement process.

By the final Camp Lejeune lawsuit update in December 2022, the JAG was still creating a framework to handle compensation payouts, showing how big of a task it will be to get compensation to victims.

Background of Camp Lejeune Lawsuits

Camp Lejeune lawsuits are the result of a decades-long battle on behalf of victims and advocates of the water contamination at the military base from the 1950s to the 1980s.

Dangerous chemicals infiltrated the water, causing many Camp Lejeune health issues like multiple forms of cancer, birth defects, and neurological disorders.

Shock and anger spurred action when the contamination was discovered, but the federal government was protected from lawsuits through immunity. Victims suffered for decades, facing health issues and repeated VA benefits denials.

However, this is just a snapshot of the long history of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune since it was founded in 1941.

Timeline for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims

The following is a timeline of events that led us to where we are now regarding the Camp Lejeune litigation.

• 1941 — Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is founded.
• 1951 — Tarawa Terrace well field for water is built nearby for Camp Lejeune.
• 1953 — One Hour Dry Cleaner opens across the street from Tarawa Terrace. It was later found that this dry cleaning business improperly disposed of cleaning solvents and contaminated the drinking water at Camp Lejeune with toxic chemicals like PCE and vinyl chloride.
• 1979 — A huge oil leak at nearby Hadnot Point Fuel Farms exposes groundwater to numerous toxic chemicals.
• 1984 — TCE (trichloroethylene), PCE, and benzene are detected in Hadnot Point Water Well, a main source of the water supply for Camp Lejeune.
• 1985 — All Hadnot Point wells are closed and shut down.
• 1989 — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies Camp Lejeune as a Superfund site (an area with severe and hazardous pollution needing extensive cleanup).
• 2008 — President Bush signs a bill that forces the U.S. Navy to look into any deaths or injuries related to the toxic water supply at Camp Lejeune.
• 12/12/16 — Hundreds of Camp Lejeune lawsuits are thrown out due to the 10-year statute of repose in North Carolina.
• 1/25/22 — A bill that could become a new law is introduced in the House, called the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. This law would lift restrictions that previously prevented Camp Lejeune victims from being able to file lawsuits.
• 3/3/22 — House of Representatives passes the CLJA, and it moves on to the Senate.
• 6/16/22 — U.S. Senate passes an amended version of the CLJA as part of the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT)
• 8/10/22 — President Biden signs the CLJA into law as part of the Honoring Our PACT Act.

Watch our short video to learn more about the PACT Act and what it means for Camp Lejeune victims.

Get the Latest Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Updates

For more information about Camp Lejeune lawsuits or to see if we can connect you with a top Camp Lejeune lawyer, reach out to the Camp Lejeune Claims Center 24/7.

We can help you determine your eligibility through a free case review and get you started with a lawsuit if you qualify.

You deserve to have your medical bills and other expenses covered by the federal government if you were harmed by Camp Lejeune’s drinking water — contact us today to learn more.