Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

Camp Lejeune Justice Act (as of July 2, 2022)

On June 16, 2022, the United States Senate voted to pass the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which permits individuals and their families who lived at or near Camp Lejeune, North Carolina from August 1, 1953 – December 31, 1987 and suffered a medical condition as a result of the toxic water to file a lawsuit against the federal government.

The Federal Government estimates it will pay an estimated $6.1 billion ($6,100,000,000) to individuals and their families who were injured as a result of being exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune. In addition, the “CBO also estimates that, in addition to the amounts shown in this table, payments under the section would increase direct spending by about $15 billion after 2031.”

Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Claims

Some of the conditions that have been linked to the drinking water at Camp Lejeune include:

The Current List of Presumptive Conditions Includes:

Leukemia
Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
Bladder Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Liver Cancer
Multiple Myeloma
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Parkinson’s Disease

Other conditions that may justify Camp Lejeune claims include:

Esophageal cancer
Breast cancer
Renal toxicity
Female infertility
Scleroderma
Lung cancer
Hepatic steatosis
Miscarriage
Neurobehavioral effects (like headaches, lack of coordination, sensory disturbances, cognitive decline, and mental health conditions)

The seriousness of an individual’s exposure depends on a several factors including the age at which they were exposed, the duration of the exposure, and the way in which they were exposed. Pregnant women, young children, and those who consumed the water are at the greatest risk.

What is the standard of proof to show you were injured at Camp Lejeune as a result of the toxic water?

First, you must have lived at or near Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during the time period beginning August 1, 1953 and ending on December 31, 1987.
Second, you (or your counsel) must produce evidence showing that the relationship between the exposure to the water at Camp Lejeune and the harm (i.e. cancer, infertility, etc.), is (1) sufficient to conclude that a causal relationship exits; or (2) sufficient to conclude that a causal relationship is at least likely as not.
These cases must be filed and heard in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

What types of damages are available from the Camp Lejeune Act?

The Federal Government estimates it will pay $6.1 billion to compensate individuals who can successfully bring a claim.
If you make a claim under the Camp Lejeune Act, you may not assert any other cause of action against the federal government regarding your injuries related to these injuries (i.e. negligence, fraud, etc.).
Punitive damages are not available.

Is there a Statute of Limitations to bring a claim under the Camp Lejeune Act?

You must bring a claim under the Camp Lejeune Act within 2 years of it being passed.