The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in August 2022, has provided a ray of hope for veterans, military family members, and individuals who have suffered serious illnesses due to exposure to contaminated water at the U.S. Marine Corps training base in North Carolina. This landmark legislation has opened a two-year window for these individuals to file claims for financial compensation. With the filing deadline approaching in a few months, the number of claims is expected to rise dramatically, likely making it one of the largest mass torts in U.S. history.

The Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Issue

Between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, the water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina was contaminated with toxic chemicals like benzene, vinyl chloride (VC), trichloroethylene (TCE), and tetrachloroethylene (PCE). This contamination has been linked to various health issues, including various types of cancer, birth defects, Parkinson’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and other serious conditions.

Eligibility for Compensation

To be eligible for disability and health care benefits under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, individuals must have served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 days between the specified dates. Furthermore, individuals must have a diagnosis of one or more of the presumptive conditions associated with exposure to the contaminated water.

The presumptive conditions include adult leukemia, aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions have been scientifically linked to the exposure to chemicals found in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune during the specified timeframe.

Filing a Claim for Disability Compensation

Filing a claim for disability compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is an important step for victims seeking justice and financial assistance. The Department of Justice provides comprehensive information on Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claims, including details on the elective option for settlements, which we will discuss in more detail below. 

According to reports, the U.S. government has received more than 175,000 administrative claims – a necessary step before pursuing a Camp Lejeune injury lawsuit in court. To file an administrative claim, individuals must provide supporting documents, including military records showing their service at Camp Lejeune, as well as medical records confirming the diagnosis of one or more of the eight Camp Lejeune presumptive conditions. 

Pursuing a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

Section 804 of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 allows veterans, survivors, and families to seek appropriate relief for harm caused by exposure to the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune. It enables individuals to file a claim in Federal court if their claim is denied or if no decision is made within six months of filing. With the August 10, 2024 deadline for the two-year filing window looming, and with attorneys continuing to actively investigate claims of injuries associated with exposure to toxic chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune, attorneys expect to see a spike in Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits before August. 

Delays in Camp Lejeune Settlements

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act aimed to streamline the process for individuals seeking compensation related to Camp Lejeune water contamination. However, the Navy has encountered significant delays in reviewing claims, leading to a lack of widespread settlements for victims. Last year, the U.S. government introduced an elective settlement option for Camp Lejeune veterans and their families who suffered specific medical conditions linked to the contamination. Despite this option, many claimants do not meet the eligibility criteria, and only a limited number of individuals have received actual settlement offers.

Current Status of Camp Lejeune Settlements

A recent joint status report filed in March revealed that only 110 Camp Lejeune water contamination claims have been confirmed as eligible for the elective settlement option. Of these, 11 offers were rejected by the claimants, 40 offers expired without a response, and 14 are still pending. Consequently, only 45 Camp Lejeune settlement payouts have been accepted by claimants, highlighting the challenges in the settlement process.