How Long Does a Camp Lejeune Water Case Take?
Former military service members, civilian workers, and their families who were affected by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 may be eligible for compensation through a legal settlement.
Camp Lejeune water cases are expected to take one to two years to settle on average, so it may be a good idea to start a Camp Lejeune lawsuit right away.
The money secured from a Camp Lejeune settlement can be used to pay for medical bills, funeral expenses, and other costs. Settlement compensation may be awarded for many types of illnesses, including bladder cancer, birth defects, and Parkinson’s disease.
Some Camp Lejeune lawsuits may take a long time to settle due to the complexity of cases as well as the number of claims expected to be filed. That said, a top Camp Lejeune lawyer will do all they can to help you receive settlement payouts quickly.
Time is limited to file a claim, however, so it is a good idea to get started right away if you or a loved one is seeking a Camp Lejeune settlement.
Learn how to file a claim and quickly pursue a settlement right now.
Steps in the Camp Lejeune Settlement Process
The Camp Lejeune settlement timeline depends on how long each step in the settlement process takes. Learn about the steps below.
1. Determining Eligibility
The first step is to determine if you’re able to pursue a Camp Lejeune settlement or not. You can do this by contacting us for a free case evaluation at any time.
Our on-staff team will quickly assess your case and recommend next steps to help you.
2. Contacting a Camp Lejeune Lawyer
If you qualify to pursue a Camp Lejeune settlement, our team can recommend top attorneys to help make the lawsuit easier and faster.
It is in your best interest to work with a quality personal injury lawyer from the start, as they can help guide you through the entire legal process.
3. Filing Your Claim
Your Camp Lejeune attorney can help you file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, making sure that you meet all deadlines and that you submit important documents and medical records.
It may take a little while to gather the needed information to build your case, but doing so is crucial to avoid any complications and make the legal process go smoothly.
4. Negotiating a Camp Lejeune Settlement
Reaching a Camp Lejeune settlement may involve a lot of back-and-forth negotiations with the other parties involved, which is why it is a good idea to have a personal injury lawyer to act as your legal communicator.
Camp Lejeune lawyers will regularly update you on the status of your case — including when a settlement has been reached.
5. Taking the Case to Court
In the event that a Camp Lejeune case does not reach a settlement, it may be taken to court through a lawsuit.
Going to court may add more time to your case as a judge and/or jury will need to be presented with evidence that supports your claim, and the opposing side will try to prove why they’re not liable.
As with all prior steps, working with a Camp Lejeune lawyer can make the overall case get finished as quickly as possible — even if it does go to trial.
Explore the legacy of John Carberg, a U.S. Marine who developed bladder cancer from exposure to contaminated water while living at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. View Transcript.
Duration: 02 min 43 sec
I used to ask my dad, “What was it like when you were a Marine, or when you were formerly a Marine?” And he would correct me every time, he’d say, “You’re never formerly a Marine. It’s never something in the past. Once you’re a Marine, you’re a Marine for life.”
My name is Chris Carberg and my father was United States Marine John Carberg, who passed away from bladder cancer.
My dad was 17 years old when he joined the Marines. And his dad was a Marine, his brother was a Marine. It was something in our whole family that we were proud of. He lived on a military base.
My father was at Camp Lejeune for, I believe less than 60 days. He had no idea that there was anything wrong with the water.
And to think that people were spending their last moments, before they were deployed to dangerous situations, being poisoned is absolutely infuriating. We had families at Camp Lejeune. We had families on the base. We had mothers who were pregnant drinking that water.
What changed with the PACT Act and with the Camp Lejeune Act of 2022, is that for the first time, the government lowered and dropped its own immunity to being prosecuted. Veterans, their family members, they are able for the first time to file lawsuits against the government.
My dad never cared about his legacy, but what he cared about was his family. He cared about my mom, he cared about me and my sister. He cared about us. and I think that what he would want is what he always wanted. For his family to be taken care of, for my mom to be taken care of. My dad would never do something like this for himself, but he would do it for my mom in a heartbeat.
When my son and daughter ask me eventually, “What happened to Pop-pop?” I have to tell them the truth, which was that, “Well, Pop-pop was serving his country proudly. He did everything the right way, doing that that he could.” And now it’s our turn, it’s our turn to care for him and while he was sick and alive, we fought for him. We did our very best.
It’s our job as families to honor the memory of our loved ones by fighting on their behalf when they can’t fight for themselves anymore.
Camp Lejeune Cases and the Statute of Limitations
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 allows people to file lawsuits for Camp Lejeune water contamination until August 2024.
This is important because, while it allows veterans and their family members to pursue compensation if they were harmed decades ago, it also means they have a limited time to file a claim.
Don’t miss your chance: We can help you file a Camp Lejeune claim and pursue settlements right now. Call (866) 473-4764 to find out your eligibility.
Will All Camp Lejeune Cases Be Offered Settlements?
It remains to be seen whether every Camp Lejeune case will reach a settlement or not. In the event that a settlement isn’t reached, your attorneys may take your case to trial to retrieve a payout.
It is also important to note that those who are offered settlements will see a lot of variation in settlement amounts. This is because settlements are determined based on many factors (including what illness(es) they developed, the severity, and the medical expenses that were incurred).
How Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Settlements Are Determined
No Camp Lejeune lawsuits have been settled yet. When the time comes, Camp Lejeune lawsuit settlement amounts will be determined in a couple of ways.
Settlement Formula
Government lawyers are likely to come up with a matrix formula that helps determine settlement amounts by placing each case into a specific category or tier.
Settlement values will then be determined for each tier and paid out accordingly, while also taking individual case factors into account.
Our team will provide updates when more specific information on Camp Lejeune settlement timelines and formulas is released.
Individual Case Factors
Every Camp Lejeune toxic water case is unique, with many potential injuries and damages possible in each case.
Factors that may affect individual case values include:
- The extent and severity of the illness or cancer
- How much the person’s life was affected by the illness
- Whether the person is expected to recover
- The extent of medical expenses and other financial damages
- The extent of pain and suffering
Your Camp Lejeune lawyer can determine how these factors may impact your settlement, timeline, and compensation awards.
Timeline for Camp Lejeune Trial Cases
The timeline for each Camp Lejeune case can vary. Notably, if Camp Lejeune cases do not reach a settlement, the timeline could possibly be extended if the case goes to trial (as a trial date must be set, a jury or judge must review the information presented, and then a verdict must be rendered).
It is of the utmost importance to work with a knowledgeable Camp Lejeune lawyer from a reputable law firm from the start. These attorneys can keep you updated on the timeline for your case and try to secure the most amount of money for you in the least amount of time.
Get started right now: File your Camp Lejeune claim.
Get Help With Seeking a Camp Lejeune Settlement
When it comes to securing a successful Camp Lejeune settlement quickly, working with the right lawyer is key.
Top attorneys can help you understand Camp Lejeune settlement timelines and work to secure the most amount of financial aid in the quickest amount of time. Without a lawyer’s help, you may have difficulty or delays in securing a Camp Lejeune settlement.
Connect with us today for your free consultation and to get started with determining eligibility for your Camp Lejeune case.
Camp Lejeune Settlement Timeline FAQs
What offices are handling Camp Lejeune settlements?
The main office that is handling Camp Lejeune claims is the Office of the Judge Advocate General of the Navy’s Tort Claims Unit in Norfolk, Virginia.
The office has pledged to handle these claims “as quickly as possible,” but there is no exact timeline available. Filing as soon as possible may be ideal.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is also handling claims involving VA benefits like health care and disability compensation for veterans who got sick after serving at Camp Lejeune.
How long does it take to get a settlement from the Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
While no settlements have been reached yet for Camp Lejeune lawsuits, it is expected that each lawsuit could take up to one or two years to reach a settlement.
This length of time can vary, as each Camp Lejeune case is unique. But it is always a good idea to get started right away in case of any delays throughout the Camp Lejeune settlement process.
What health conditions qualify for a Camp Lejeune settlement?
There are many health problems that have been linked to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Camp Lejeune’s water. You may receive settlements if you have one of the Camp Lejeune health issues listed below.
- Adult leukemia
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Infertility
- Kidney cancer
- Lung cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
What is the average payout for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
No payouts have been given out yet for Camp Lejeune lawsuits, so it would be difficult at this point to determine an average payout. Our team will provide more updates when the first Camp Lejeune cases have reached settlements or verdicts.
It is expected that the federal government will end up paying over $6 billion in payouts to claimants and their family members over the next decade.
Has anyone received compensation from Camp Lejeune water contamination?
No cases have reached a settlement yet involving Camp Lejeune toxic water, as the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was just passed in August 2022.
It is expected that the first Camp Lejeune settlements could be reached by the end of 2023, and that they will be paid out until roughly 2033.
What is the deadline for Camp Lejeune claims?
The deadline to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is August 2024, which gives people a full two years to file their claims.
This may seem like a lot of time, but it will pass by more quickly than people may think, so it is always a good idea to file your claim sooner rather than later.
