Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

What Are Camp Lejeune Lawsuits?

Camp Lejeune lawsuits are legal actions brought against the federal government by people who were harmed by the contaminated water at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987.

During this time, two of Camp Lejeune’s water treatment plants — Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point Treatment Plant — were contaminated with toxic chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The VOCs included benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene or PCE), and vinyl chloride. These hazardous substances have been linked to many very serious Camp Lejeune health conditions.

Before a new law called the Honoring Our PACT Act was passed in August 2022, Camp Lejeune victims could not file lawsuits — they could only apply for disability benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

This is because the federal government had immunity against lawsuits, which left victims and their families with no legal options.

However, that has changed, and Camp Lejeune victims finally have legal options.

Thanks to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (part of the PACT Act), victims can finally pursue compensation through Camp Lejeune lawsuits to cover medical expenses and other damages.

Watch our short video to understand what the PACT Act may mean to you.

Camp Lejeune Lawsuits vs. VA Benefits

It is very important to understand that Camp Lejeune lawsuits are different from VA claims. And filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit does not affect your existing VA benefits.

Further, veterans who were denied VA benefits in the past may also be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.

Camp Lejeune veterans benefits are provided by the VA and can support veterans with various resources and financial assistance. These benefits can include disability compensation, health care benefits, education, home loans, and more.

However, obtaining VA disability benefits can be a lengthy and challenging process, especially for Camp Lejeune-related conditions. Many veterans and advocates agree that most Camp Lejeune disability claims have been denied for decades.

“Veterans are entitled to benefits… but the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (‘VA’) has denied the overwhelming majority of claims based on the Camp Lejeune water contamination.”

–Yale Law School

Some believe the high VA disability benefits denial rate is linked to a 2012 program that required all Camp Lejeune claims to be reviewed by a group of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). These SMEs are thought to be responsible for reducing the approval rate to a mere 8% of submitted claims.

On the other hand, filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit involves taking legal action against the federal government.

By pursuing a lawsuit, veterans and their loved ones may finally seek financial compensation for harm caused by exposure to contaminated water.

Do not wait. Learn about your Camp Lejeune legal options with a free case review right now.

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update: August 2023

As of early August 2023, there has been a frustrating lack of developments in Camp Lejeune lawsuits.

We do know that the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina has formed a seven-member leadership team to manage the ongoing Camp Lejeune litigation.

So far, over 1,000 lawsuits have been filed, with approximately 663 cases still awaiting responses from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).

To handle the growing number of lawsuits, the DOJ is urging the judges to consolidate the influx of Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits. This is because the total number of lawsuits may exceed 100,000, which is arguably far too many to handle on an individual basis.

While the Camp Lejeune lawsuit updates have seemed to be lacking, we are committed to reporting on the latest developments.

Visit our Camp Lejeune lawsuit update page for more information.

Camp Lejeune Health Conditions

Exposure to contaminated Camp Lejeune water is linked to many health issues, including various forms of cancer and neurological disorders.

Additionally, women exposed to Camp Lejeune water during pregnancy were at a greater risk for infertility and miscarriage and giving birth to babies with birth defects.

Camp Lejeune water contamination is linked with the following conditions:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
  Aplastic anemia
• Birth defects
• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Cardiac defects
• Cervical cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Lymphomas
• Multiple myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Parkinson’s disease
• Prostate cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Scleroderma

If you or a loved one developed a health condition after living or working at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water lawsuit. Get a free case review now.

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

Since there have not been past successes with these lawsuits, there is no way to know for sure how much Camp Lejeune settlements will be at this time.

That said, legal experts believe that Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit settlement amounts could range from $25,000 to $1 million or more per person.

The exact amount will depend largely on the severity of the condition caused by the contaminated water.

Camp Lejeune water contamination victims may be able to get settlements for:

• Loss of future earnings
• Lost wages
• Medical care
• Pain and suffering

It is important to remember that this money is in addition to any VA benefits already being paid.

Camp Lejeune lawsuit payouts will not affect existing benefits.

Who Can File a Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuit?

Anyone who lived, worked, trained, or served at Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River for at least 30 days from August 1953 through December 1987 may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.

This includes veterans, active-duty military personnel, and civilian workers. Loved ones and surviving family members may also qualify.

Learn if you’re able to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit below.

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Eligibility

Many people are unsure as to whether they are eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.

Some veterans think they may not be eligible if they were denied VA disability benefits in the past. But seeking compensation is especially important for disabled veterans who have faced delays or denials with VA benefits.

Others may think their exposure happened too long ago to take action now.

Family members of Camp Lejeune victims who have since passed away may not know their loved one trained or served at the military base.

If you lost a loved one to an illness you believe could have been caused by the toxic water, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit. Even if they passed away long ago, you may be newly eligible.

Don’t despair. We can help you determine your Camp Lejeune lawsuit eligibility for free and in confidence.

But don’t wait. Get a free case review now.

How to File a Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuit

The best and fastest way to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is to work with an experienced attorney. Skilled Camp Lejeune water lawyers can help you navigate the legal process and do most of the heavy lifting.

Here are the steps to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit:

1. Gather documents and evidence related to harm caused by Camp Lejeune’s toxic water
2. Get a free consultation from a Camp Lejeune lawyer to determine your eligibility and potential compensation
3. File a Camp Lejeune lawsuit within the deadline (by August 10, 2024)
4. Await settlement negotiations or go to trial if necessary

By holding responsible parties accountable, Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits can provide financial relief and support to those who have suffered.

Is There a Camp Lejeune Class Action Lawsuit?

As of now, there is no specific Camp Lejeune class action lawsuit. Instead, individual lawsuits are being filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Camp Lejeune lawsuits will most likely be handled as personal injury or toxic tort claims, in which each claimant pursues their own legal action rather than being part of a single class action group.

What Is the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Deadline?

The deadline to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit is August 10, 2024.

Meeting the Camp Lejeune lawsuit deadline is crucial. If you miss the deadline, you may never be able to pursue a Camp Lejeune water contamination claim.

This means you could lose the chance to receive financial compensation for the medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by exposure to Camp Lejeune toxic water.

This could be terrible for veterans and their survivors who have already been denied benefits and made to face the financial burdens on their own.

A skilled Camp Lejeune law firm can help make sure you file on time.

Camp Lejeune Water Law Firms

The best law firm for Camp Lejeune lawsuits is a personal injury firm involved in the fight to get legal rights for Camp Lejeune water supply victims.

Camp Lejeune Claims Center can put you in touch with top Camp Lejeune attorneys who are familiar with toxic exposure lawsuits.

We can connect victims in all 50 states to qualified law firms for a free Camp Lejeune water case evaluation. Our trained Camp Lejeune advocates are standing by, day and night, ready to help you.

Get Started With a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

If you or a loved one was exposed to Camp Lejeune’s toxic drinking water for at least 30 days between 1953 to 1987, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water lawsuit.

For thousands of disabled veterans and families who were harmed by the poisoned water, financial relief can not come soon enough.

Many have faced delays or denials with VA benefits, which has caused undue financial burden and concern over the future — for themselves and their loved ones.

Contact our advocates now for a free consultation at (866) 473-4764 or fill out our claim review form to begin the claim process.