Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update 2024

Latest News on Camp Lejeune Water Contamination 2024

As of June 2024, more than 1,800 Camp Lejeune lawsuits and over 232,800 administrative claims have been filed, and the first victims have received compensation.

LawFirm.com is providing the latest Camp Lejeune lawsuit update to keep those awaiting justice informed.

Camp Lejeune Updates 2023-2024

Learn about the latest Camp Lejeune news.

1. Government Payouts Hit $14.4 Million

Camp Lejeune Settlement Update 2024: June 13

As the Camp Lejeune lawsuit moves forward, more victims and families are getting justice and compensation for injuries related to the contaminated water.

According to the latest Joint Status Report, the Navy and Justice Department have paid settlements totaling $14.4 million to 58 victims.

More than half of the cases involve two qualifying health conditions — bladder cancer and kidney cancer. Settlements for those cancers amount to nearly $8 million.

The other settlements were for:

• Kidney disease
• Leukemia
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease

If you or someone you love has been affected by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune, it’s not too late to file a claim. LawFirm.com works with skilled Camp Lejeune lawyers who can help victims in all 50 states pursue compensation and justice.

2. New Bill Aims to Speed Up Resolution of CLJ Claims

Camp Lejeune Litigation Update 2024: May 30

Two North Carolina lawmakers — Greg Murphy and Deborah Ross — have introduced the Camp Lejeune Justice Corrections Act, which aims to streamline the claims process for victims of the toxic water.

If passed, the bill would update the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, which made it possible for families to sue for injuries connected to the contaminated water.

The proposed legislation would:

• Clarify that victims have a right to a jury trial
• Increase the number of judges handling the litigation to reduce the backlog of cases
• Place a cap on attorney fees to minimize the monetary effect on payouts

“Our brave veterans put their lives on the line to defend our country and should never face barriers to accessing the justice they deserve after exposure to toxic water during their time stationed at Camp Lejeune.”
– Congresswoman Deborah Ross, co-sponsor of the Camp Lejeune Corrections Act

3. Camp Lejeune Settlements Hit $9.6 Million

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update 2024: May 2

The Camp Lejeune litigation continues to move forward, with tens of thousands of victims seeking compensation and justice for injuries related to the contaminated water.

The latest developments in the Camp Lejeune lawsuit include:

• Approximately 190,561 administrative claims and 1,740 Camp Lejeune lawsuits have been filed, according to the most recent Joint Status Report.
• The Navy has made 63 settlement offers under its Elective Option, and 29 have been accepted.
• The government has sent a total of $9.6 million in settlement compensation to families that have accepted settlements.
• On April 29, 2024, the court overseeing the litigation issued an order instructing the plaintiffs’ Lead Counsel to establish and maintain a depository to store all hard-copy documents to be used as evidence in the case.

4. Government Asks Court to Prioritize ‘Single-Disease’ Cases

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update 2024: April 19

In an April 9 court filing, the federal government asked the North Carolina court overseeing the Camp Lejeune lawsuit to try cases brought by victims claiming they developed a single Track 1 disease from the contaminated water on base before deciding more complex cases.

The Track 1 Camp Lejeune health conditions are:

• Bladder cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease

Litigating the claims of “single-disease” plaintiffs will be less time-consuming than resolving claims filed by those alleging multiple diseases and help both sides work toward a global resolution, according to the government.

The government admitted that it doesn’t know the number of Track 1 plaintiffs who are claiming that the toxic water caused them to develop more than one illness, but it said “it appears likely that some, perhaps many, plaintiffs may do so.”

In other news, attorneys for Camp Lejeune families asked the court to establish a procedure for storing evidence related to individual plaintiffs. A uniform storage process will be helpful since older evidence may include physical documents and records, while more recent evidence will most likely be in electronic format.

5. Track 1 Depositions Underway, One Track 3 Disease Selected

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update 2024: April 5

On April 3, 2024, the Plaintiffs’ Leadership Counsel issued a status report. The highlights are listed below.

Depositions for Track 1 plaintiffs are almost complete, and secondary depositions, which may include family members, have started. A deposition is sworn testimony given outside of court used to gather information for a process called discovery. Treating physicians will be interviewed next.

The parties have agreed on “neurobehavioral effect” as one of the Track 3 diseases.

The symptoms of this condition includes:

• Fatigue
• Hearing loss
• Lack of concentration
• Memory impairment
• Muscle weakness
• Sensory disturbance
• Seizures
• Visual impairment

As of April 5, 2024, over 176,662 administrative claims have been filed with the Department of the Navy, and more than 1,662 Camp Lejeune lawsuits are pending.

The government has sent settlement payments totaling $5.95 million to Camp Lejeune victims.

6. The Most Recent Camp Lejeune Status Report

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update 2024: March 22

The Camp Lejeune water litigation continues to move forward. While some victims have already received compensation for their injuries, thousands of others await financial relief and justice.

Here’s the latest update on the Camp Lejeune lawsuit:

• Approximately 174,891 administrative claims have been filed with the Department of the Navy, an increase of nearly 4,400 claims from a few weeks ago.
• About 1,633 Camp Lejeune lawsuits have been filed under the CLJA.
• The government has made 56 settlement offers, and 24 of those offers have been accepted.

Both sides have been discussing the possibility of a global settlement, which would speed up the payout timeline by resolving all pending Camp Lejeune administrative claims and lawsuits instead of processing each individually.

7. $4.1 Million in Settlement Compensation Awarded

Camp Lejeune Settlement Update 2024: March 8

New Camp Lejeune claims continue to be filed with the Department of the Navy. Over 170,500 administrative claims have been filed as of March 8, 2024.

So far, 17 Camp Lejeune victims have accepted settlement offers through the government’s Elective Option (EO) for a total of $4.1 million. The breakdown of those settlements follows.

• Bladder cancer: 5 offers (ranging from $150,000 to $450,000)
• Kidney cancer: 5 offers (ranging from $150,000 to $300,000)
• Kidney disease: 3 offers (ranging from $100,000 to $250,000)
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: 2 offers of $150,000
• Multiple myeloma: 1 offer of $250,000
• Parkinson’s disease: 1 offer of $400,000

Additionally, both sides have agreed on a Special Settlement Master, who will try to help Camp Lejeune families and the government reach a settlement agreement.

In the meantime, Track 2 cases are moving forward.

Track 2 cases include:

• Breast cancer
• Kidney disease
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer

Ten cases will be selected as “bellwether cases” or test trials. All eyes will be on these first trials, which will provide essential information on potential case values and more.

8. Families Fight for Less Strict Causation Standard

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update 2024: March 3

Camp Lejeune families pushed back against the government’s court filing insisting that victims link their illnesses to the contaminated water on base in order to get compensation. In their own legal filing, victims said Congress intended for a less strict standard to be used due to the fact that it’s been decades since some were first exposed.

The bottom line is that the government isn’t making it easy for victims to get compensation. As a result, many are choosing to hire Camp Lejeune attorneys to get the compensation and justice they deserve.

9. Government Says Camp Lejeune Victims Must Show Specific Cause

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update 2024: February 21

In a February 21, 2024, court filing, the U.S. government said Camp Lejeune victims must establish that their illnesses were specifically caused by the contaminated water on base in order to get compensation. The government said it’s not enough for victims to merely show that they spent at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune and later developed an illness that may have been caused by the toxic water.

Plaintiffs previously argued that a general causation standard is more in line with the intent of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA), which was created to simplify the legal process for families seeking financial relief for injuries connected to the water.

However, the government disagreed, saying, “Congress did not change the substance of what plaintiffs must prove.”

This latest move may cause more families to reach out to Camp Lejeune lawyers to get help proving their cases.

10. Less Than 100 Settlement Offers Made

Camp Lejeune Settlement Update 2024: February 20

As of February 20, 2024, the U.S. government has extended settlement offers to 96 Camp Lejeune victims and 17 of these offers have been accepted.

With tens of thousands of claims currently pending, the low number of settlement offers shows the slow pace at which the government is moving to resolve these claims and provide victims with justice and a sense of closure.

11. Victims Appeal Jury Trial Denial

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update 2024: February 15

Some Camp Lejeune plaintiffs have appealed an order that denied them the right to a jury trial.

On February 6, 2024, Camp Lejeune victims lost their bid to have their cases heard by a jury after a panel of federal judges ruled that bench trials (trials heard and decided by a judge) would speed up the claims process.

The plaintiffs had argued that Section 804(d) of the CLJA gives victims of the contaminated water the right to a trial by their peers.

They also emphasized that all parties, including the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), initially acknowledged the right to a jury trial. The plaintiffs said this is consistent with the intention of Congress in drafting the law.

The federal government had asked the court to prohibit jury trials for Camp Lejeune water contamination cases, claiming that the CLJA does not clearly establish the right to a jury trial.

The judges agreed, saying, “Congress did not clearly and unequivocally depart from its usual practice of not permitting a jury trial against the United States” in passing the CLJA.

The first trials are expected to take place in the spring.

12. New Report Expands Camp Lejeune Cancer List

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update 2024: January 31

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released a long-awaited report linking additional types of cancer to the tainted water on the military base.

The study could lead to an expanded Camp Lejeune cancer list, meaning more people may be eligible for compensation from the government for injuries related to the toxic water.

The Camp Lejeune cancers identified in the report include:

• Male breast cancer
• Myeloid cancers (including polycythemia vera, a blood cancer)
• Myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative syndromes (related to malfunctioning blood cells)
• Esophageal and voice box cancers
• Thyroid cancer
• Soft tissue cancer
• Marginal B-cell lymphoma
• Lung cancer (certain types)

The study found that military personnel who served at Camp Lejeune were at least 20% more likely to develop the cancers listed above compared with those at Camp Pendleton in California.

Civilians also faced elevated risks for certain cancers, including squamous cell lung cancer and female ductal breast cancer, according to the report.

13. Numerous Camp Lejeune Cases Qualify for Elective Option (EO)

Camp Lejeune Settlement Update 2024: January 16

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has made 37 settlement offers under the federal government’s Elective Option (EO). Of those offers, 4 have been accepted, 3 were rejected, and 6 have expired, leaving 24 offers pending.

The EO is a voluntary process intended to speed up the claims process under the CLJA. It supplements the other CLJA legal processes, which remain in place.

To be eligible for the EO, claimants must have certain Camp Lejeune cancers or other qualifying health conditions.

Of the 160,000 claims that have been filed, less than 20% are eligible for the EO.

14. Plaintiffs File a Motion on Causation

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update 2024: January 15

The Plaintiffs Leadership Group (PGL), which represents Camp Lejeune families, filed a motion on the issue of causation. The court filing urges the federal court overseeing the litigation to rule that a victim only needs to show that they spent 30 days on base and had a health condition that was likely connected to the toxic water to prove their claim.

If successful, the motion would streamline the legal process since plaintiffs wouldn’t have to prove that they were exposed to the water and that the water caused their specific illness.

15. Camp Lejeune Fraud Alert

Camp Lejeune Update 2024: January 9

The DOJ and the Department of the Navy (DON) issued a fraud alert to inform individuals who have filed a claim under the CLJA about attempts that have been made to obtain personal information and payments.

Anyone who receives emails or calls from people trying to collect personal information or money related to a CLJA claim should report this activity to their lawyers or the Navy’s Camp Lejeune Claims Unit (CLCU), if they’re not represented by counsel.

To protect yourself from fraud, be mindful of the following:

• The DOJ and DON will never ask you for money.
• Camp Lejeune emails from the Navy come from [email protected].
• The DOJ and DON will always communicate with you through your lawyer, if you have one.

LawFirm.com works with Camp Lejeune attorneys who are leaders in this new area of litigation.

16. Camp Lejeune Payouts Hit $1.45 Million

Camp Lejeune Settlement Update: December 27, 2023

By December 27, 2023, Camp Lejeune settlements issued through the expedited EO payment system reached $1.45 million.

These settlement amounts included:

• $150,000 for a victim with bladder cancer
• $250,000 for a victim with Parkinson’s disease
• $300,000 for a victim with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Two $300,000 payments and one $150,000 payment for victims with leukemia

17. Plaintiffs Ordered to Submit Personal Information

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update: December 21, 2023

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert B. Jones of the Eastern District of North Carolina ordered Camp Lejeune plaintiffs to provide their Social Security numbers and birth dates.

Plaintiffs were reluctant to provide this information because of the many scams over Social Security numbers, as well as fraud attempts related to Camp Lejeune litigation.

However, the order is meant to speed up the government’s investigations and hopefully result in quicker payments to victims.

18. Camp Lejeune Settlement Payouts Total $1 Million

Camp Lejeune Settlement Update: December 6, 2023

Camp Lejeune settlement payouts through the government’s expedited Elective Option have reached $1 million. At this milestone, 4 Camp Lejeune victims have received payment. However, thousands more are awaiting financial relief.

The government has set aside over $21 billion for those sickened by the toxic water, meaning that those affected may be entitled to compensation to help pay for their health care, pain and suffering, and more.

19. Track 2 Illnesses Proposed

Camp Lejeune Update: November 28, 2023

Lawyers for Camp Lejeune families submitted a proposed case management order to the court detailing the illnesses and procedures for the Track 2 trials of the Camp Lejeune lawsuit.

The proposed Track 2 illnesses are:

• Aplastic anemia
• Kidney disease
• Liver cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Sclerosis/scleroderma

Look for a future Camp Lejeune lawsuit update to learn about the health conditions that will be featured in Track 2 trials.

20. New Appointment to Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update: October 11, 2023

Jayne Conroy, a nationally known legal strategist and litigator, was appointed to the Plaintiff’s Executive Committee (PEC) for Camp Lejeune lawsuits in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

The PEC supports and advises co-lead and lead counsel, the team of seven designated by the court to handle all litigation activities. It plays a vital role in ensuring a collaborative and structured approach toward justice for victims and case proceedings.

21. New Elective Option Announced

Camp Lejeune Update: September 6, 2023

The DOJ and DON announced expedited payouts through a voluntary Elective Option (EO) to those who have filed Camp Lejeune claims. This system is meant to streamline the claims process and get Camp Lejeune veterans and others affected by the toxic water payments more quickly.

However, legal experts say those who pursue lawsuit settlements will have the potential to win larger payouts.

EO payouts range from $100,000 to $450,000 based on the victim’s illness and the amount of time they spent on the military base. Family members who have lost loved ones are entitled to an additional $100,000 for wrongful death.

Unfortunately, only a small percentage of Camp Lejeune victims will qualify for EO payments.

The Elective Option payouts are outlined in the chart below.

Update on Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Deadline

The deadline for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit is fast approaching. As of June 2024, those who have suffered personal injuries or birth defects from the toxic chemicals in the water only have about 2 months left to file a claim and seek compensation.

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

This is a strict deadline, meaning no extensions or exceptions are expected. Once this date has passed, you won’t be able to take legal action and pursue compensation for your injuries again.

Camp Lejeune News Timeline

Here is a timeline of the events leading to the Camp Lejeune claims and lawsuits that we see today.

• 1941: Camp Lejeune was founded.
• 1951: The Tarawa Terrace well field, which was eventually linked to a wide range of illnesses, was built near Camp Lejeune.
• 1953: One Hour Dry Cleaner was established near Tarawa Terrace. This dry cleaning business carelessly disposed of cleaning solvents, polluting Camp Lejeune’s drinking water with dangerous chemicals, including volatile organic compounds like vinyl chloride.
• 1979: A massive oil spill occurred at the Hadnot Point Fuel Farms, contaminating the groundwater in Camp Lejeune with numerous toxic chemicals.
• 1984: Benzene, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and trichloroethylene (TCE) were detected in the Hadnot Point water treatment plant, a main source of Camp Lejeune’s water.
• 1985: Hadnot Point wells were shut down.
• 1989: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified Camp Lejeune as a Superfund site (an area with hazardous pollution requiring cleanup).
• 2008: President George W. Bush signed a bill forcing the U.S. Navy to look into any injuries or deaths related to Camp Lejeune’s toxic water supply.
• 2016: Due to the 10-year filing deadline in North Carolina, hundreds of Camp Lejeune lawsuits were thrown out.
• 1/25/2022: A bill called the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 was introduced in the House, which would lift restrictions that had previously prevented Camp Lejeune victims from filing lawsuits.
• 6/16/2022: The Senate passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act as part of Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT).
• 8/10/2022: President Joe Biden signed the CLJA into law as part of the PACT Act.

After decades of legal barriers, thousands of veterans and their families are now able to seek justice for their illnesses following the passage of the CLJA.

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