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Camp Lejeune Settlement
Military veterans and others who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987 and got sick from the contaminated water on base may be eligible for Camp Lejeune settlement money.
Camp Lejeune Compensation Expected to Exceed $21 Billion
The Congressional Budget Office predicts that the U.S. government will spend more than $6.1 billion in settlements and other payouts to resolve Camp Lejeune lawsuits between 2022 and 2031 and an additional $15 billion after 2031.
If a loved one passed away due to Camp Lejeune contaminated water, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf — even if they passed away decades ago.
While individual Camp Lejeune settlement amounts are expected to vary, some victims have already gotten hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Camp Lejeune settlements will not affect a veteran’s eligibility for benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
As of June 2024, more than 232,000 claims have been filed under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, and many more are expected to be filed before the August 10, 2024, deadline.
Once this deadline passes, victims will be unable to file a Camp Lejeune claim for compensation.
Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Payout Eligibility
Camp Lejeune settlements are paid by the government to those who were exposed to the toxic chemicals in the base’s water supply from 1953 to 1987 and developed cancer, birth defects, or other serious health conditions as a result.
You may be eligible for a Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement if you or a loved one:
- Lived or worked at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for 30 days or more from August 1953 to December 1987
- Later developed a health condition connected to the toxic water on the base
Groups on base during this time primarily included civilian workers, members of the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy, and their family members.
Health Conditions That Qualify for a Camp Lejeune Settlement
More than two dozen health conditions have been linked to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, including many different types of cancers.
Health problems that may qualify for a Camp Lejeune payout include:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Aplastic anemia
- Birth defects
- Bladder cancer
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Esophageal cancer
- Fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis)
- Heart conditions
- Kidney cancer
- Kidney disease
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Lymphoma
- Miscarriage
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic cancer
- Neurological diseases
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Sarcoma
- Scleroderma
This is not a complete list of qualifying health conditions for a Camp Lejeune settlement, as investigations are still ongoing on the extent of the damage caused by the contaminated water.
Settlement payouts can help Camp Lejeune victims pay for medical treatments, travel to and from health care appointments, and more.
Steps to Get a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlement
An attorney can handle all aspects of a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit on your behalf to make the legal process as stress-free as possible.
The steps to pursue a Camp Lejeune settlement are listed below.
1. Contact LawFirm.com
Contact our team at LawFirm.com and tell us about your time at Camp Lejeune and your related illness. If you have a case, we can connect you with a top Camp Lejeune lawyer.
2. Collect Evidence
As soon as you qualify for a Camp Lejeune claim, your legal team will start gathering evidence to build your case.
This may include:
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Military records
- Work history
- Expert testimony
This evidence will be used to show that you spent time at Camp Lejeune and your health issues were caused by the contaminated water there.
3. File a Claim
Your lawyer will file your Camp Lejeune lawsuit before the August 2024 deadline.
Next, the Department of Navy will review your claim. Depending on your health condition or the amount of time you spent on base, they may offer you a fixed Camp Lejeune lawsuit payout.
Your lawyer will advise whether it’s in your best interest to accept a fixed payout or move forward with your lawsuit.
4. Negotiate a Settlement
Your attorney will work to negotiate a settlement with the defendant. If you receive a Camp Lejeune settlement, any VA benefits you receive now or in the future will not be affected.
In the event that a settlement can’t be reached, your legal team will be prepared to argue your case in court.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlement Amounts
The amount you may receive from a Camp Lejeune settlement will be based on the individual details of your case. Some claims may be worth more money based on the health condition involved and other factors.
Factors impacting Camp Lejeune settlement amounts include:
- Age of the victim: Younger victims may qualify for more Camp Lejeune lawsuit compensation than older ones.
- Amount of time spent on base: The longer you were exposed to the contaminated water, the more you can potentially recover.
- Lost wages: If your health condition made you too sick to work, you may be entitled to a larger Camp Lejeune lawsuit payout.
- Severity of health condition: Severe illnesses like bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and leukemia are more likely to result in larger settlement amounts.
A Camp Lejeune attorney can review the facts of your potential case and tell you how much it may be worth.
Camp Lejeune Settlement Amount Update
In September 2023, the U.S. Department of the Navy and Department of Justice announced expedited payouts through a voluntary Elective Option (EO) to people who have filed Camp Lejeune claims.
Here’s a breakdown of the Elective Option:
- Payouts range from $100,000 to $450,000, depending on the illness involved and the amount of time spent on base.
- An extra $100,000 is offered in cases involving a Camp Lejeune toxic water wrongful death.
- The government will contact those who have filed claims and qualify for the expedited payout and offer them a predetermined amount of money.
- Claimants will then have 60 days to decide whether to accept the payout or continue fighting for a larger Camp Lejeune settlement.
As of June 2024, Camp Lejeune EO settlements have paid out a total of $14.4 million to 58 victims and families. The largest payments were to victims with bladder cancer ($450,000) and Parkinson’s disease ($400,000).
The Elective Option payouts are listed in the chart below.
| 30-364 days on base | 1-5 years on base | More than 5 years on base | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 Qualifying Injury: kidney cancer, liver cancer, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemias, bladder cancer | $150,000 | $300,000 | $450,000 |
| Tier 2 Qualifying Injury: multiple myeloma, Parkinson’s disease, kidney disease, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) | $100,000 | $250,000 | $400,000 |
Claims in which a qualifying injury has resulted in death will be offered an extra $100,000.
In many cases, a Camp Lejeune settlement will provide victims and their families with more compensation than an expedited payout.
A Camp Lejeune lawyer can advise about the option that makes the most sense in your case.
Get Help With a Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuit Settlement
Veterans and their family members trusted that the Camp Lejeune water supply was safe, and thousands got sick through no fault of their own.
These victims deserve to be compensated to the fullest extent possible for the pain and suffering they’ve endured.
Our legal partners have helped thousands of veterans and their families get justice and compensation. They’ve recovered more than $9.1 billion in total for those harmed by the negligent actions of others.
The law firms in our network never charge any upfront fees and can help victims across the country pursue Camp Lejeune settlements.
Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Settlement FAQs
When will the Camp Lejeune settlement be paid?
The Camp Lejeune settlement timeframe will vary in each individual case.
Factors that are likely to impact this timeline include:
- When you file your Camp Lejeune lawsuit
- How quickly the U.S. Navy reviews your claim
- If you take a voluntary expedited payout option
The first Camp Lejeune settlements were paid in October 2023. As of June 2024, the government has paid out $14.4 million in total to 58 victims through its Elective Option system.
A Camp Lejeune personal injury lawyer can explain the timeline that may apply to your case and fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.
What is the Camp Lejeune lawsuit payout per person?
Individual Camp Lejeune lawsuit payouts will vary depending on several factors, including the type of health condition involved and the length of time people spent at the military base.
The federal government is offering expedited payments of up to $550,000 per person in some cases, and the Congressional Budget Office has estimated a total of more than $21 billion will eventually be paid out to victims.
Some victims have already gotten hundreds of thousands of dollars through this expedited system.
However, many legal experts believe that victims will receive more compensation through Camp Lejeune settlements.
Is there a Camp Lejeune class action lawsuit?
No, there is no Camp Lejeune class action lawsuit right now. However, over 230,000 administrative claims and more than 1,800 lawsuits have been filed as of June 2024.
Plaintiffs in these lawsuits allege that the drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with vinyl chloride, benzene, and other toxic chemicals and that they became sick as a result.
Has anyone been compensated for Camp Lejeune water contamination?
Yes, Reuters reported on November 10, 2023, that the first Camp Lejeune settlements have been reached and paid by the U.S. government.
As of June 2024, 58 victims have accepted settlement offers totaling $14.4 million. The largest settlements were for bladder cancer ($450,000) and Parkinson’s disease ($400,000).
Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: LawFirm.com
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- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. “Camp Lejeune, North Carolina: Background.” Retrieved June 14, 2024, from https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/camp-lejeune/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/lejeune/background.html
- Congress.gov. “All Information (Except Text) for S.3176 – Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021.” Retrieved June 14, 2024, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/3176/all-info#
- Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. “Estimated Budgetary Effects of Rules Committee Print 117-33 for H.R. 3967, Honoring our PACT Act of 2021, as Posted on the Website of the House Committee on Rules on February 18, 2022.” Retrieved June 14, 2024, from https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2022-02/HR3967_RCP.pdf
- In Re: Camp Lejeune Water Litigation. (2024, June 5). “Status Reports.” Retrieved June 14, 2024, from https://camplejeunecourtinfo.com/status-reports/
- Reuters. (2023, November 13). “First Camp Lejeune settlements reached, U.S. government to pay $850,000.” Retrieved June 14, 2024, from https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/first-camp-lejeune-settlements-reached-us-government-pay-850k-2023-11-10/#
- U.S. Navy. “Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claims.” Retrieved June 14, 2024, from https://www.navy.mil/clja/
- U.S. Navy. “Public Guidance on Elective Option for Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claims.” Retrieved June 14, 2024, from https://www.navy.mil/Portals/1/clja/Public_Guidance_Elective_Option_CLJA.pdf?ver=7_2gY5dyX6na9QZ2gn-vkw%3D%3D
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