Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit (October 2024)

For decades, toxic substances like trichloroethylene and benzene were allowed to leach into the water at Camp Lejeune, a critical Marine Corps base located in North Carolina.

After repeatedly coming into contact with this toxic water, many service members and their families have subsequently developed various forms of cancer and other serious illnesses.

Military service members (primarily members of the Marine Corps) and their families who were exposed to polluted water at the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base may have the opportunity to seek compensation for their personal injuries in a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit against the United States government.

Dolman Law Group is offering legal assistance to those who have become seriously ill or lost a loved one as a result of the dangerous conditions present at Camp Lejeune.

Our government has failed these Marine Corps members. The Dolman Law Group has investigated hundreds of Camp Lejeune water contamination injury claims.

Read our latest Camp Lejeune contaminated water updates to learn more about the pending lawsuits and whether you might be eligible for compensation.

Table of Contents

• Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Updates
• Decades of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
• Camp Lejeune PACT Act And The Camp Lejeune Justice Act
• VA Disability Benefit Claims for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Illness
• How Did Camp Lejeune’s Water Become Contaminated?
• Damages Inflicted by Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
• Who Qualifies to File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?
• Contact Dolman Law Group for Help With Your Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Updates

October 1, 2024 – Study Shows Parkinson’s May Be Accelerated by Camp Lejeune VOC Exposure, Government Will Provide Information to Settlement Masters, Total Claims Exceed 550,000

A recent study by the University of California, San Francisco, points to a potential link between Parkinson’s disease (PD) and exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the water at Camp Lejeune. The findings suggest that VOCs may accelerate the progression of PD, implying that environmental factors could significantly influence how the disease develops in individuals exposed to these toxic substances.

Due to concerns over confidentiality, the government has been hesitant to release essential information to the Settlement Masters. However, a breakthrough was made toward the end of September with an agreement that could help advance the settlement process. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) had also declined to release its 2009 report on the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. A court order has now compelled the NAS to follow federal guidelines and provide a list of documents previously marked as privileged.

Now that the statute of limitations for filing claims under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act has passed, the final counts for claims and lawsuits have been tallied. The Department of the Navy received over 550,000 administrative claims, and 2,089 lawsuits were filed by the deadline. So far, 66 cases have been dismissed, either due to legal challenges or settlements.

September 1, 2024 – The Government is Withholding Evidence, the Original Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) Goal is Ignored, Large Number of Claims to be Resolved

The plaintiffs’ lawyers have repeatedly asked for relevant governmental documents and electronic information. The government won’t produce this evidence and is putting up barriers every step of the way. The original intent of the CLJA was to provide justice and payment to injured service members and others harmed by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. However, the government is fighting the process as if the plaintiffs bear any responsibility for their injuries. Instead of working together to provide the compensation these injured plaintiffs deserve, the DOJ is resisting liability and making it impossible to achieve justice.

While a global settlement arrangement, including all pending cases, is still possible, our team simply can’t predict how long it may take or how much compensation will be offered. More than 546,000 administrative claims need to be processed. The Dolman Law Group team continues to monitor this litigation and protect the rights of deserving service members.

August 15, 2024 – Deadline to File Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claims Passes, Discovery Still in Dispute, Few Settlements Accepted

The two-year Statute of Limitations for filing a Camp Lejeune injury claim ended on August 6, 2024. Now, only claims already on file will be set for trial or considered for settlement. At this point, 1,895 lawsuits have been filed under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, and more than 325,000 administrative claims have been submitted to the Navy. The government has only issued 109 settlement offers, and only 64 have been accepted.

The discovery schedule for Track 1 cases, those that will go to trial first, has been set by the court. After the plaintiffs disclose their expert witnesses, the government must reveal its experts within 45 days. Then, the plaintiffs have 21 days to reveal any rebuttal experts. After that, both sides must file any motions within the next 30 days. All parties then have 21 days to file any objections and 14 more days to file their replies.

July 31, 2024 – Expert Disclosure Deadlines Still in Dispute, Court Issues Hush Order Regarding Settlement Talks

Not surprisingly, both sides are proposing different trials and expert disclosure deadlines. The plaintiffs’ lawyers who represent seriously injured veterans and their families want to move these trials along quickly to ensure their clients receive justice and long-awaited compensation. However, the government is in no hurry to resolve these matters.

At the same time, many plaintiffs are in settlement talks with the government. The MDL judge has issued an order that prohibits both sides from talking about ongoing negotiations. The court’s goal is to encourage fair and open discussions without prejudicing other settlements or the court’s understanding of these cases.

July 18, 2024 – Some Cases are Settling, Parties Submit a Joint Track One Schedule

The court has appointed two Settlement Masters and a Liason to encourage settlement discussions for the pending Camp Lejeune Justice Act cases. The Masters do not have the power to force settlements. Their role is to set up a structure that helps both sides reach an agreement.

Through today’s date, of the 93 cases that fall under the government’s early settlement program, only 37 have accepted settlements ranging from $100,000 to $450,000. Nine plaintiffs have rejected settlement offers, and 26 other cases are still pending.

In addition, the government has made 111 other settlement offers and 58 plaintiffs have accepted. So far, the government has paid over $20 million in settlements. The average settlement payment is around $246,000, and bladder cancer victims are receiving the greatest amounts on average.

The parties have proposed a joint discovery schedule to handle Track One cases beginning on August 11, 2024. The schedule addresses expert disclosures, discovery deadlines, and motion filing deadlines to continue moving these cases to trial. We expect the first trial will not occur until 2025.

July 2, 2024 – The Deadline to File is Fast Approaching

As of July 2024, $14.7 million has been distributed in Camp Lejeune settlements. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved offers for cases involving Parkinson’s disease, including settlements accepted in five cases.

Combining these figures with the Torts Branch’s six cases, eleven settled cases are related to Parkinson’s disease. The deadline to file a claim is August 10, 2024.

June 17, 2024 – Plaintiffs Seek NAS Report, Plaintiffs Release Initial Bellwether Trial List

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) studied the link between the contaminated Camp Lejeune water and numerous health problems suffered by those exposed to it. However, the NAS has refused to provide the report, forcing the plaintiffs to file a motion to compel.

In the meantime, Plaintiffs released their list of proposed bellwether trials (test trials that will go to a jury) organized by the disease involved:

Bladder Cancer

• Criswell v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-01482-BO-BM
• Dyer v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-00357-D-RJ
• Cagiano v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-00569-BO-RN

Kidney Cancer

• Mousser v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-00667-D-RN
• Howard v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-00490-FL
• Fancher v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-00275-M-BM

Leukemia

• Gleesing v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-01486-FL
• Connard v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-01557-M-RN
• Hill v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-00028-M-KS

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

• Carter v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-01565-M-KS
• Kidd v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-01489-FL
• Davis v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-00043-BO-BM

Parkinson’s Disease

• Peterson v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-01576-M-RJ
• McElhiney v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-01368-BO-RJ
• Rothchild v. USA, Case No. 7:23-cv-00858-D-KS

The current case count during the first week of June shows 1,813 Camp Lejeune lawsuits filed and 232,892 administrative claims pending with the Department of the Navy.

May 26, 2024 – Court Maintains Denial of Jury Trials; Plaintiffs Request to Depose Agency Director Met With Resistance; Final Claim Filing Deadline is August 10, 2024

The MDL court recently ruled that no jury trials will be allowed in the Camp Lejeune multidistrict litigation. A few plaintiffs want to appeal the ruling, but they are not allowed. Without the threat of high jury verdicts, the plaintiffs ‘ bargaining power is reduced. This ruling does not favor the injured claimants in their quest for justice.

The plaintiffs want to depose Dr. Portier, the former Director of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

However, because he is located in Italy, the defense claims it is too expensive for someone who is not a key witness. Considering there are billions of dollars of compensation at stake, this is a weak argument. Of course, a video deposition could be a viable alternative. UPDATE: the court ruled that Dr. Portier’s deposition will be allowed, and the defense’s argument was not well-founded.

***IMPORTANT FILING DEADLINE REMINDER: The deadline to bring a Camp Lejeune claim is August 10, 2024. If you want to bring a Camp Lejeune claim or lawsuit, contact the Dolman Law Group team as soon as possible to avoid missing this deadline.

May 12, 2024 – Government Encouraging More Settlements, But Elective Option Program is Too Slow

The government is pushing plaintiffs’ lawyers to settle their clients’ cases before the offers expire. We have learned that some settlement offers have been raised based on unique circumstances and additional evidence provided by the plaintiff’s lawyer.

While the government reports the Elective Option settlement program is a success, the facts prove otherwise. Only 36 cases have been settled, amounting to $9 million for injured service members and their families. At Dolman Law Group, we still believe that the settlement program doesn’t fairly compensate injured plaintiffs for their legal damages. At this rate, considering there are 1,764 pending lawsuits and over 227,000 administrative claims filed, most plaintiffs will not receive justice in their lifetimes.

May 6, 2024 – Parties Still Fighting About Multiple Condition Claims, Plaintiffs Want Muster Rolls and Water Modeling Evidence to Support Their Claims

The government has been trying to limit the potential bellwether trial pool to cases that only involve one illness caused by the toxic Camp Lejeune water. Attorneys who are representing plaintiffs with several medical conditions are objecting. As mentioned in the April 12th update below, if the court limits the initial trials to only cases involving multiple diseases for simplicity’s sake, some of the most seriously injured people will not receive the justice they deserve.

If the pool of cases is limited to one-disease claims, some plaintiffs with multiple conditions might have to drop their secondary claims to have their case heard. The team at Dolman Law Group holds firm that the first bellwether trials should be chosen from multiple disease claims.

The plaintiffs’ lawyers have requested the military muster rolls to help them prove the dates of service at Camp Lejeune. The government claims this information is not searchable by name, so it’s not relevant. However, a new database – the Marine Corps Unit Diary Database (MUDD) – covers service time from 1940 to 2005 and might provide the needed information because it can be searched by year, description, or text.

Also, plaintiffs want the government to produce the ATSDR Water Modeling Project records. In case the plaintiffs must show where the toxic water was located at Camp Lejeune, they need reliable GIS (geographic information system) location data. This information would not be needed if the government would admit that the entire Camp Lejeune base was exposed to toxic chemicals.

April 26, 2024 – More Illnesses Sorted Into Litigation Tracks, Government Receives More Time to Disclose Information

The plaintiffs have suggested five illnesses for the fifth track of this MDL. The illnesses suggested for Track 5 are:

• Pancreatic cancer
• Multiple Myeloma
• Esophageal cancer
• Scleroderma
• Aplastic anemia / Myelodysplasic syndromes (MDS)

These illnesses will be considered for settlement or trial purposes after the first four tracks are resolved. Camp Lejeune victims facing illnesses not included in the first few tracks are understandably upset. Categorizing these conditions is a complicated process, and both sides of this litigation claim they are giving the greatest deference to the most severe cases and the greatest number of injured plaintiffs.

Unfortunately, in many MDL situations, both sides are really focusing on the cases they think they can win. From the government’s point of view, it wants to try the cases that will receive the lowest verdicts, such as skin conditions and dental problems.

Yet again, the government wants more time to answer the plaintiffs’ requests for information. The court gave the defendants 30 more days to provide the requested evidence.

April 21, 2024 – Parties Address Evidence Storage, Latest Lawsuit, Administrative Claim, and Settlement Updates

This Camp Lejeune litigation involves plaintiffs and their injuries developed over 70 years. To prove each case, relevant evidence must be protected and properly stored. With current technology, trial evidence can be maintained in an electronic format, but in the past, these options didn’t exist. The evidence each plaintiff may need might include paper records like medical reports and physical items that must be preserved. However, converting these older items to electronic versions, if even possible, is time-consuming and expensive.

Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, toxic water injury cases involve two steps—bringing an administrative claim to the Department of the Navy and/or filing a federal lawsuit in the pending MDL. As a result, the number of lawsuits in the pending MDL seems low. By mid-April, only 1,740 lawsuits had been filed. However, there are more than 190,500 administrative claims pending with the DOJ. At this time, only 40 cases have been settled, amounting to only 0.021 percent of all Camp Lejeune cases.

April 12, 2024 – Government Trying to Limit the First Bellwether Trials to Single Disease Cases

The government suggested that the first round of bellwether trials be limited to cases involving plaintiffs with only one “single disease,” which must be scientifically related to Camp Lejeune’s toxic water. They argue that since cases involving plaintiffs with multiple diseases or conditions will be more complicated, requiring additional scientific and medical evidence, they should be tried later.

While this theory has some merit on one level, our team of Camp Lejeune lawyers disagrees because it’s too late to exclude the deserving plaintiffs who have multiple serious medical conditions. Making the group wait to have their day in court is inherently unfair.

April 2, 2024 – Settlement Update

Two separate groups in the government is making settlement offers to injured Camp Lejeune plaintiffs. The Torts Branch grouped 51 cases into the Elective Option settlement group, and the DOJ approved 59 claimants for settlement discussion.

So far, settlement payments totaling $5,950,000 have been made to cover medical concerns, including cancers, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, and others. Individual settlement amounts are between $100,000 to $450,000.

Although nearly six million dollars might sound like a lot, these settlements are only a small portion of the pending lawsuits, which now total 1,662, along with almost 177,000 administrative claims still waiting for either a settlement or trial.

March 13, 2024 – Rules Established for Medical Exam Discovery, More Lawsuits and Claims are Filed

The lawyers for both sides have agreed to various disclosures related to medical exams and potential medical witnesses in an effort to protect plaintiffs from multiple medical exams. But the government now wants to wait on Track 2 discovery until the court selects the Track 1 bellwether trials.

As of today, 1,633 lawsuits are on file and 174,891 administrative claims are filed with the DOJ, Settlement negotiations are moving slowly.

February 28, 2024 – Track 2 Diseases Identified, Settlements Continue

The MDL court has announced which diseases are included in the Track 2 category. These five Track 2 conditions make up approximately 25 percent of pending Camp Lejeune claims:

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

By addressing these medical conditions early in the litigation process, we hope more cases will settle more quickly. The Camp Lejeune litigation currently has 1,530 filed lawsuits while 170,502 administrative claims are waiting in the wings to see what happens.

Updated Camp Lejeune claim settlements include:

• 17 agreed settlements with payments of $150,000 to $450,000
• 7 settlement offers have been rejected
• 8 settlement offers ran out of time
• 16 offers are still pending

Eight Navy settlements and seven DOJ settlements have been paid, totaling $3,600,000. Meanwhile, 170,000 claims are still pending.

February 15, 2024 – 2 Plaintiffs Choose to Appeal Court’s Ruling Against Jury Trials

The lawyers for two Camp Lejeune plaintiffs have decided to challenge the court’s decision that they are not entitled to a jury trial against the government. All other plaintiffs can wait until the end of the litigation to decide if they want to appeal the court’s decision. While the two cases navigate an appeal, all of the other cases can stay on track.

February 6, 2024 – Jury Trials Rejected in Camp Lejeune v. Government Cases

In a frustrating ruling, the court ruled that injured plaintiffs are not entitled to jury trials under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (CLJA). Based on past precedence where Congress has not permitted claims against the U.S. government to be decided by a jury, all Camp Lejeune cases must be decided by a judge, not a jury.

Our legal team disagrees with this ruling for many reasons. One main reason we believe injured plaintiffs have the right to trial by jury is because subsection 804(d) of the CLJA itself specifically states, “Nothing shall impair the right to a jury trial.” The court disregarded this statement by stating there is no new right to a jury trial, and the right to a jury trial is not allowed in any other similar cases.

If the plaintiffs decide to appeal this decision, we fear it will slow litigation and reduce the possibility of timely verdicts or settlements. We are hopeful that without the option of jury trials, these claims may move more quickly, and judges may award substantial verdicts sooner.

February 2, 2024 – New Study Shows Camp Lejeune Military Personnel More Likely to Develop Cancers Than General Military Population

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released a study that compared Camp Lejeune military personnel with service members who served at Camp Pendleton from 1975 to 1985. The results revealed Camp Lejeune personnel were more likely to develop certain cancers than military members stationed at Camp Pendleton. No contaminated water has been reported at Camp Pendleton.

In light of the study’s results, we expect to see injury claims based upon these top five cancer types:

• Thyroid cancer
• Colon cancer
• Lung cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Pharyngeal cancer

January 31, 2024 – Plaintiffs Propose Consolidating Trials Based on Disease Type

The plaintiffs’ lawyers have suggested that 16 cases be coordinated by disease type so the court can address all Track 1 cases within only five trials. The proposed consolidation would include:

• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – 5 plaintiffs
• Bladder cancer – 6 plaintiffs
• Kidney cancer – 8 plaintiffs
• Parkinson’s Disease – 5 plaintiffs
• Leukemia – 5 plaintiffs

The government will not likely accept this proposal because these types of trials usually draw media attention and could result in higher verdicts. Heading into February, there are 1,492 Camp Lejeune lawsuits on file, but 164,136 administrative claims are still watching and waiting from the sidelines.

January 17, 2024 – 13 Camp Lejeune Claims are Settled

The DOJ and the Navy recently extended 89 settlement offers to plaintiffs facing various medical conditions that relate to Camp Lejeune chemical exposure. Thirteen plaintiffs accepted the offers for these amounts:

• 4 Bladder cancer victims received a total settlement amount of $750,000 (so the average settlement is $197,500 per person)
• 4 Leukemia sufferers were paid a total settlement of $1,050,000 (making the average settlement $262,500 per person)
• 2 Parkinson’s Disease patients received $650,000 ($325,000 each)
• 1 Kidney cancer patient was paid $300,000
• 1 person with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma received $300,000
• 1 patient with Kidney disease received $100,000

After these settlements, 158,200 toxic water contamination claims remain pending.

December 26, 2023 – Enforcing the Camp Lejeune Justice Act

The Doman Law Group legal team is proud to help our military members and other individuals who were injured by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. In this role, we’re also monitoring the Camp Lejeune multi-district litigation in North Carolina federal court and providing updates to keep those affected up to speed.

According to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, the attorneys representing Camp Lejeune plaintiffs are fighting for their client’s right to a jury trial. Although the government is trying to avoid jury trials, plaintiffs argue that the language and congressional intent of the Act include the right to a jury trial, and any other interpretation would strip the Act of its purpose.

If you or a loved one lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987, you may qualify to file a Camp Lejeune claim. Reach out to the experienced mass tort lawyers at Dolman Law Group to understand your options and protect your legal rights.

December 1, 2023 – Navy Denies Access to New Medical Study That May Help Plaintiffs, Case Settlement Updates, Pending Camp Lejeune Lawsuits to be Heard by 4 Judges

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released a new study that might possibly expand the list of illnesses that are linked to Camp Lejeune’s toxic water. When plaintiffs’s counsel requested this study, the Navy refused, claiming it was privileged information.

The plaintiffs have proposed a procedure for the Track 2 trials. suggesting which illnesses should be included in this second set of trials. Meanwhile, the DOJ chose 16 cases for settlement based on the injuries involved. Out of those 16 cases, two settlement offers were rejected, six offers have expired, and eight settlements are still pending.

The DOJ also reviewed 62 administrative claims for possible settlement. Thirteen claims received settlement offers. Four settlements were accepted, one offer was rejected, and eight others are pending. The four settled claims were a $250,000 Parkinson’s case, a $300,000 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma case, and two Leukemia claims resolved for $300,000 and $150,000.

Of the 1,433 CLJA lawsuits filed, 11 have been voluntarily dismissed, and three pro se cases (where the plaintiffs represented themselves) were involuntarily dismissed. All lawsuits still pending have been divided between four federal judges.

November 27, 2023 – DOJ Requests Another Extension of Time While Claiming Jury Trials Are Not Permitted in the Camp Lejeune Litigation

The government received additional time to answer the plaintiffs’ motion that challenged the government’s suggested wrongful death claim requirements, as explained in the November 13th update below. While plaintiffs are trying to move forward under Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) standards, the DOJ is stalling again.

The latest motion filed by the DOJ claims Camp Lejeune cases cannot go to jury trials because the CLJA does not specifically allow jury trials. The plaintiffs objected to this motion and requested the court to allow the first set of bellwether jury trials to proceed. The impact of this decision could be huge since, as of November 26th, the DOJ has received over 129,000 Camp Lejeune claims.

Also, on November 27th, the government requested more time to finalize Track 1 discovery. The extension is apparently needed because the government’s bureaucratic system is so complicated. Plaintiffs have opposed this motion and any further delay.

November 13, 2023 – New Case Filed Demands Damages of $100 Million, 3 Claims Have Settled, Dispute Over Wrongful Death Claim Procedures

A new Camp Lejeune case is demanding damages of $100 million. If one case can be worth this much, the government’s estimated settlement fund of $3.3 trillion is terribly undervalued. Meanwhile, the DOJ has reportedly settled three cases for a total of $850,000.

As this litigation drags on, more seriously ill plaintiffs will likely pass away before receiving the justice they deserve. With regard to wrongful death claims, the U.S. government is now arguing that Camp Lejeune claims fall under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). The FTCA requires federal wrongful death claims to follow the state law where the cases are filed. The Camp Lejeune MDL is filed in North Carolina, and its state laws would force an estate representative who represents a deceased Camp Lejeune plaintiff to open an ancillary probate estate in North Carolina to participate in the Camp Lejeune MDL.

The plaintiffs object to this extra requirement and argue instead that the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) falls outside the FTCA. Under the CLJA, there is no need to open an ancillary estate, and legal representatives can represent a deceased plaintiff with only one estate opened.

November 6, 2023 – Joint Settlement Status Report Submitted, First Status Hearing Rescheduled

On October 27th, both sides submitted a joint settlement status report. Focusing on the most severe and pressing cases, the lawyers are creating a questionnaire to gather relevant information about the extent of damages to calculate fair settlement compensation. They are also working on a system to place a value on each claim. There is still a lot of work to be done before settlements progress.

The first status conference that was set for November 7th has been rescheduled to November 21st. We hope to report some progress after that date.

October 29, 2023 – EPA wants to ban TCE, Court Addresses Privileged Documents, DOJ Speculates Settlement Could Be $33 Billion

During the last week of October, the EPA issued new regulations to ban the use of Trichloroethylene (TCE) based on “overwhelming evidence” that TCE is directly linked to several types of cancer and Parkinson’s disease. This decision further supports the Camp Lejeune plaintiffs’ claims since TCE was present in the camp’s toxic water.

Since many privileged documents are involved in these claims, the court has established rules to protect this information, including no waiver of attorney-client confidentiality privileges and what to do if privileged information is accidentally shared.

Lastly, the Department of Justice has calculated that the more than 117,000 administrative claims currently pending have demanded $3.3 trillion. Knowing this is not a realistic number, the DOJ speculates that the real demand number could be 1%, or $33 billion.

October 23, 2023 – Master Complaint Created, New Case Numbers Jump, First Status Conference For Personal Injury Cases Held

A master complaint has been created to consolidate all common allegations found in the personal injury claims in the Camp Lejeune MDL. This comprehensive document will make it easier for new plaintiffs to join the litigation. Also, since the government’s proposed quick settlement structure that was disclosed in September, new case numbers have jumped from 50 new filings in August to 193 new cases last month.

A status conference for all civil lawsuits is scheduled for October 30th. Then counsel for both sides will meet with the judge every first and third Tuesday of each month to report on the ongoing status of these cases. Expected topics of conversation will include the number of pending cases, any settlements, new information discovered, and proposals for ways to settle specific cases or the entire MDL.

October 3, 2023 – Camp Lejeune Lawsuits Placed Into Three Tracks for Litigation Purposes

The judge handling pending Camp Lejeune cases has divided the claims into three separate tracks, namely Track 1, 2, or 3, for purposes of pre-trial discovery and eventual trial. Cases in Track 1 include plaintiffs diagnosed with:

• Liver cancer,
• Bladder cancer,
• Kidney cancer,
• Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and
• Parkinson’s disease.

We don’t know which cases will fall into Tracks 2 and 3, but we expect they will include other viable and compensable personal injuries as well. The conditions grouped into Track 1 are similar to the first tier of settlement conditions, with the exception of Parkinson’s disease, which we feel should have been included in the Tier 1 conditions listed below.

September 8, 2023 – Details of the Government’s Proposed Settlement Option Explained

As the Department of Justice (DOJ) faces a growing number of pending Camp Lejeune claims, it has introduced a novel two-tiered settlement structure to expedite the resolution process for affected individuals. The new settlement framework considers the nature of the illnesses suffered by each plaintiff and the duration of their exposure to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune.

The proposed settlement is categorized into two tiers depending on the specific health conditions:

Tier 1 Illnesses:

• Kidney Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Leukemias
• Bladder Cancer

Tier 2 Illnesses:

• Multiple Myeloma
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Kidney Disease/End-Stage Renal Disease
• Systemic Sclerosis/Systemic Scleroderma

The settlement amount awarded to an individual depends not only on their health condition tier but also on the duration of their exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The duration of exposure is broken down as follows:

• Less than 1 year
• One to 5 years
• More than 5 years

The following chart illustrates the proposed settlement amounts based on these categories:

Duration of Exposure	Tier 1 Illness	Tier 2 Illness
Under 1 Year	$150,000	$100,000
1-5 Years	$300,000	$250,000
Over 5 Years	$450,000	$400,000

In cases where an individual has died due to toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune, a wrongful death claim can be settled at a fixed amount of $100,000.

The dedicated Camp Lejeune lawyers at Dolman Law Group believe that these settlement amounts are not sufficient to adequately compensate most people who have suffered due to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune. However, there are situations where accepting a settlement now could be advantageous.

For instance, if time is of the essence in a plaintiff’s life or if there are external factors that might weaken a cancer claim, such as a history of smoking or pre-existing health conditions, opting for a settlement may be a practical choice.

If you are contemplating filing a claim or deciding whether to accept a pending claim settlement, it is essential to consult with an experienced lawyer at Dolman Law Group before making any decisions. Our dedicated legal professionals can provide you with the guidance and insights needed to make informed choices regarding your situation.

September 6, 2023 – New Standardized Settlement Process Option Announced

After criticism from veterans and the public regarding the wait time for compensation and claim resolution for injured Camp Lejeune water contamination victims, the Department of Justice and Navy officials have unveiled a new streamlined process for settlements. Camp Lejeune claimants with specific diagnosed conditions identified by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry as linked to Camp Lejeune’s toxic water can choose a new elective option where they receive a standardized settlement amount that is determined based on the injuries they have suffered and the years they were exposed to contaminated water on the base.

The new option for seeking compensation, courtesy of the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT Act), offers an alternative to the longer processes of filing civil claims and filing lawsuits in court over Camp Lejeune water exposure and is voluntary.

August 1, 2023 – Agreed Extension for Consolidation Requested

In order to prepare a proposed Global Case Management Order, both sides in the MDL have requested an extension of all case deadlines until September 1st. The focus is now on creating a comprehensive database and addressing how documents will be requested and processed. The overall goal is to help the government use its resources to move these cases toward settlement evaluation and payment.

The proposed Case Management Order will be submitted by August 28th.

July 28, 2023 – Case Filings Slow, Three Plaintiffs’ Firms Facing Marketing Law Violations

July was a slow month for new Camp Lejeune lawsuit filings with only 39 new cases brought in the MDL located in North Carolina. With more than 70,000 administrative claims on file, we assume thousands of potential plaintiffs are waiting on the sidelines, watching the slow progress of this enormous litigation.

Three law firms are facing accusations that they violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act by using unsolicited robocalling to drum up business. Although these matters won’t affect our clients’ actions, we are keeping an eye on these cases as well.

July 5, 2023 – The Number of Administrative Claims Continues to Rise Without Any Review

As of the beginning of July, more than 70,000 administrative claims have been filed with the Judge Advocate General’s Office of the Department of the Navy pursuant to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which became law in August 2022. At this point, there is still no sign of the government’s promised document portal, which will allow the injured claimants to electronically submit documentary evidence in support of their claims. Without a way to receive evidence, the government is not reviewing claims and no settlement offers have been made.

June 27, 2023 – DOJ’s Defenses are Allowed to Stand

US District Court Terrence W. Boyle denied the plaintiffs’ motion to dismiss the government’s affirmative defenses yesterday. His ruling basically acknowledged that although the government probably “overpleaded” its defenses, the lack of specificity found in the defenses is similar to the lack of details pled by the plaintiffs. However, the plaintiffs may still file a motion to dismiss these defenses in the future if they are found to be insufficient.

June 22, 2023 – 120 Plaintiffs Ask the Court to Dismiss DOJ’s Defenses

Although the DOJ finally filed responses to 198 lawsuits, 120 of those plaintiffs are challenging the “barebones defenses” claimed by the government. In general, the government is trying to avoid or limit its responsibility for the water contamination at Camp Lejeune by arguing the plaintiffs have not stated a legal claim, a dry cleaner was responsible for the contamination, and although the plaintiffs knew the water was poisoned, they continued to use and drink it. We find the last defense extremely disrespectful to our military members and we expect it will never be argued in open court.

In response, plaintiffs’ lawyers argue the government is treating these water contamination cases as typical negligence cases, not lawsuits filed under the new Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which specifically allows these claims. Also, plaintiffs argue the government’s defenses are too speculative, too vague, and lacking in substance to stand. In response, the DOJ argues that most Camp Lejeune lawsuits lack specific details (which is probably true), so they require a generalized response.

June 21, 2023 – DOJ Seeks Consolidation to Avoid Responding to Hundreds of Lawsuits

With more than 65,000 administrative claims on file and 663 pending lawsuits based on the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA), the Department of Justice (DOJ) wants a consolidated litigation plan to cover all CLJA cases. Most of the judges overseeing these cases agreed to a consolidation process proposal, but Judge Terrence Boyle has decided to move forward with his caseload leading to tension among the judiciary. While waiting for a final decision about the consolidation, the government has filed responses to 198 lawsuits.

May 2023 Summary – Lawsuits are Consolidated For Pretrial Procedures, Government Requests More Time, Judge Criticizes Navy’s Inaction, and Pressure Builds Against DOJ. New Parkinson’s Study Confirms Link Between Disease and Toxic Water

As of May 1st, all pending lawsuits are consolidated for pretrial and discovery purposes. One court will now establish procedures for discovery, motions related to expert testimony, motion filing, setting bellwether trials, and settlement negotiations. The court will create a database to organize information about all parties, including each plaintiff’s unique circumstances and illnesses, which should help group cases for settlement purposes.

The DOJ lawyers have again requested more time to respond to the hundreds of lawsuits, but US District Judge Terrence Boyle resisted and told them eight months was a long time to prepare responses for the 900 lawsuits now pending.

On May 15th, a new study was published that addresses the risk of Parkinson’s Disease to Service Members at Camp Lejeune. In this study of 340,489 service members, researchers found that “the risk of Parkinson’s disease was 70% higher in Camp Lejeune veterans compared with veterans stationed at a Marine Corps base where water was not contaminated.” These findings further support the strength of Camp Lejeune cases which should warrant higher settlement outcomes.

Congressional pressure is building against the Navy for taking so long to resolve Camp Lejeune cases more than nine months after the Justice Act was signed. We agree with the senators and congressmen who filed a grievance with the Navy Secretary and Attorney General–the delay in resolving these claims is a grave injustice.

In response, the Navy claims it does not have the staff or financial resources to process Camp Lejeune claims. At the end of May, the Navy estimated more than 60,000 toxic water contamination claims had been filed pursuant to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. None have been resolved because the JAG still doesn’t have a system in place to allow the submission of evidence electronically. The Navy now claims the portal will not be ready until the summer.

April 2023 Summary – Joint Motion to Consolidate All Lawsuits is Filed, Government Given More Time to Answer Complaints

This month both sides in the pending Camp Lejeune lawsuits asked for all cases to be combined in front of one judge or consolidated for pre-trial proceeding purposes. If allowed, this would not be a class action lawsuit but more similar to multi-district litigation, which would allow consistent rulings on pre-trial motions and discovery practices.

By mid-month, more than 800 lawsuits have been filed in North Carolina. One of the judges presiding over these cases noted that it would take 1,900 years to try each of the pending cases individually. That same judge recognized the litigation must move along more quickly because victims don’t have time to wait for legal maneuvering. Meanwhile, approximately 20 more cases are being filed each day.

The government requested an extension of time to respond to all of the lawsuits while the joint motion to consolidate these cases is pending. The extension was granted, allowing the government until the end of May to answer the lawsuits. This leads us to believe the cases will be consolidated, which should lead to a more efficient process to move these cases along and hopefully lead to settlement offers.

March 2023 Summary – Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Filings are Escalating, New Burden of Proof Will be Used When Cases Go to Trial

As of the first week of March, 179 civil lawsuits have been filed in the North Carolina Camp Lejeune system because the JAG failed to take any action on the pending administrative claims. Although the legal process is moving at a glacial pace, the Camp Lejeune claims remain very strong cases that should be fairly easy to prove because of the standard of proof that will be applied during trial.

For the first time in civil cases, the evidentiary standard that will be applied to these cases is called “equipoise causation.” In typical civil matters, the injured plaintiff must prove they were injured by a preponderance of the evidence, usually explained as “the defendant more likely than not caused the injury.” Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, injured plaintiffs will only be required to present evidence that shows “a causal relationship is at least as likely as not.”

This lower burden of proof should make it easier for plaintiffs to show the link between their illness and the toxic water, even if there are other potentially relevant risk factors. As a result, more plaintiffs should be able to prove their cases and recover their damages. By the end of March, 379 lawsuits are on file in North Carolina and the JAG has still not taken any action of the more than 20,000 administrative claims waiting for review.

February 2023 Summary – The Six-Month Deadline Comes and Goes With No Progress By the JAG. Civil Lawsuits are Flooding the North Carolina Court

When the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was enacted on August 10, 2022, the Navy was given six months to resolve claims filed with the JAG Tort Claims Unit. Several claims that were filed back in August will reach this deadline in February. Since the JAG has not resolved any claims yet, a flood of civil lawsuit filings in North Carolina happened mid-month.

By mid-February the JAG reported more than 20,000 administrative claims had been filed, and more than 100 lawsuits were filed in North Carolina. By the end of February, there were 158 lawsuits on file. In the meantime, the VA office is reminding veterans that they may still be eligible to bring a claim for disability benefits on top of a JAG claim or civil lawsuit. In fact, the VA reported receiving more than 102,000 disability claims related to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune in the past 10 years.

Until the government creates a team to investigate and process these claims, we fear it will stall any progress until the final lawsuit filing deadline arrives in August of 2024. At that point, the government will know the full number of potential claims and will not have to worry about a large settlement leading to more claims. While this delay benefits the government, the injured military members, their families, and innocent civilians continue to suffer.

January 2023 Summary – Settlement Budget Established, Still No Progress in Claims Processing by the JAG

According to Bloomberg, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is estimating Camp Lejeune settlement payments in the range of $6.1 billion. This number has been suggested before, but it will be insufficient to pay these claims. Now, the CBO is expecting an additional $15 billion for a total of $21 billion in settlements and jury verdicts after 2031. This money would come from the Judgment Fund, which is not an account earmarked for Camp Lejeune claims. The CBO defines this fund as “a permanent, indefinite appropriation that is available to pay monetary awards against the United States that are judicially or administratively ordered.”

As of the end of January, the JAG has taken no action with regard to the thousands of claims filed and is not even accepting supporting documentation yet. Military veterans and congress members are lashing out at the JAG and the Department of Justice for dragging their feet, adding to the injured veterans suffering, which is not the intent of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

December 2022 Summary – 15,000 Claims Filed. None are Resolved

As of the end of December, more than 15,000 claims have been filed alleging injuries from the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. We expect that number to double in the next few months as the JAG continues to work on a system to process this flood of claims.

On December 1st, CNN released an article describing some of Camp Lejeune’s victims’ stories. The article confirmed what we already know, thousands of claims have been filed, but none have been resolved. By the end of December, five months will have passed since the first claim was filed, and we still have no movement toward processing or settling these claims.

Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, the JAG only has six months to act on a claim. If there is no resolution, the claim can be filed as a civil lawsuit. Without a system in place to process the necessary documentary evidence, we expect the JAG will allow the six-month deadline to expire without making any settlement offers.

November 2022 Summary – Beware of Scams, Other Possible Contaminated Military Bases, and Establishing a System to Process Claim Documentation

Potential Camp Lejeune claimants should beware of advertising that promises quick settlement payments or automatic cash deposits into their bank accounts. the Camp Lejeune Justice Act does not provide for immediate cash settlements. It only gives injured claimants the right to file a claim with the VA and potentially a lawsuit against the government for their exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune. You will still have to prove the time you spent at Camp Lejeune and any illness related to the water contamination to receive a settlement offer or to go to trial.

On a related note, the CDC is finally investigating possible health complications related to contamination in other military sites, including Army Fort Ord in California. Ft. Ord was closed in 1994 after being called one of our country’s most polluted areas. Although not directly related to Camp Lejeune claims, evidence of other polluted military sites will not be good news for the government.

Finally, this month, the JAG is creating a new portal for document submission related to CL claims. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the personnel or a system in place to accept proof of time spent at CL, medical diagnoses, etc. So far, the JAG is only acknowledging receipt of claims, not processing them to determine the claim’s worth or potential settlement value. Until a system is in place, injured claimants cannot pursue their claims or settle any cases. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the agency handling all the requests for military service documents, and it is overwhelmed with Camp Lejeune requests. This means no settlements will be offered in 2022.

October 31, 2022 – How Is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Different From Prior Legislation?

The enactment into law of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act occurred in August of 2022. This legislation offers renewed hope and opportunity to the Camp Lejeune water contamination victims and their families. This legislation was passed to address the gaps in the Camp Lejeune Families Act and how it failed to fully compensate many victims affected by the contamination catastrophe. Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, families and victims can file legal action against the government immediately to claim damages for the development of illness from the water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

The statute requires that a victim has proof of exposure to the water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days total during the time between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.

The enactment of this federal law works to override the laws in North Carolina that barred victims from pursuing damages for the events at Camp Lejeune relating to their exposure to contaminated water. Those who could not previously file a lawsuit and/or those previously denied benefits by the VA now have a chance to seek money for their losses under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

Recent Camp Lejeune legislation finally provides former residents (and their family members) of Camp LeJeune and MCAS New River with the ability to recover financial compensation for the numerous health conditions and certain diseases related to water contamination.

October 25, 2022 – Categorizing Camp Lejeune Settlement Amounts

Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts are directly tied to a growing body of scientific and medical evidence concerning each type of cancer or disease. The Department of Navy will likely value claims based on certain tiers. However, you do not have to accept a Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement offer. If you opt to reject the offer (hopefully on the advice of experienced counsel), you can file a lawsuit in the United States Federal Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

We believe Camp Lejeune toxic water compensation payouts will be based on a tier system. We are still very early in the process, but at this point, we can organize the various types of Camp Lejeune cancer, diseases, and symptoms into different tiers. The tiers are based on the strength of scientific evidence relating cancers or diseases to the Camp Lejeune water contamination.

October 17, 2022 – How Much Is a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Worth?

Because the Act is relatively new, there is not enough information regarding the potential payouts that may arise from these lawsuits.

However, it is contemplated that these monetary damages will depend on each case and specific factors, including:

• The type of disease or harm the individual is dealing with
• The prognosis of the condition
• The severity and extent of the disease
• The extent of the pain and suffering the victim has to endure
• The victim’s age
• The evidence available to link the disease to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune
• The total extent of the damages that resulted
• The ability to take part in regular and daily activities
• The inability to work because of the health condition

Although this litigation is new and evolving, when you work with a skilled Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer, they can use their previous experience handling similar types of claims to figure out which factors can impact your case, prepare convincing legal arguments, and help you recover the maximum compensation you need.

October 12, 2022 – How Long Will It Take to Resolve Camp Lejeune Claims?

As of right now, it is still too early to tell how long it will take for Camp Lejeune claims to be resolved or how long it will take for victims of this horrible ordeal to secure the money they need. It is also important to remember that if some of these cases do not settle, they can proceed to the litigation stage. The timeline to resolve these cases will be even longer since the litigation process can take some time to complete.

However, if you want further information regarding these potential timelines, it may be a good idea to discuss your situation with a knowledgeable legal professional as soon as possible. Experienced lawyers can keep you abreast of what is happening with these cases and any new legal updates and also provide you with a better idea of what you can expect when you file your legal claim.

October 11, 2022 – Who Can File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?

According to the new regulations, any individual who resided, worked, or otherwise was exposed to the dangerous toxins in the water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987 could pursue legal action against the government for financial damages related to the trauma and losses they endured. This means that veterans, service members, family members, contractors, and civilian workers can file a lawsuit if they qualify under the Act.

October 10, 2022 – What Are Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims Worth?

We believe the value of these water contamination claims could potentially exceed $500,000.00 per injured claimant if not more. Mostly because the government was aware of the extent of water contamination at Camp Lejeune for years and allowed thousands of people to be exposed to the dangerous water.

So far, the VA has not publicly announced settlement amounts related to Camp Lejeune’s toxic water exposure, but an experienced attorney can often calculate the amount of compensation you might seek by weighing all relevant factors involved in your unique circumstances.

October 7, 2022 – Did Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Cause Infertility?

Contaminated water in the wells at Camp Lejeune may have caused infertility, miscarriages, illnesses, and diseases in over one million service members and their families. Civilian contractors who lived on the base are also included in this group.

October 6, 2022 – Is the Camp Lejeune Legal Action a Class Action Lawsuit?

Technically, no. There is a misconception that there is a Camp Lejeune class action lawsuit because of the number of potential plaintiffs. While a class action lawsuit does involve multiple plaintiffs, a designated lead plaintiff represents the rest of the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit don’t get to choose the law firm that represents them or make important decisions about how the case plays out.

Class action lawsuits make sense when multiple plaintiffs sue the defendant for a relatively small amount of money. It makes sense for a law firm to group these cases, as individually pursuing each claim is not financially feasible.

Many of these claims have the potential to be high-value and complex. As such, there is no Camp Lejeune class action lawsuit. That means eligible individuals who want to pursue compensation must file their own claim.

October 3, 2022 – Wrongful Death Claims Allowed

Between the years 1953 and 1987, Marines and their families living at Camp Lejeune drank, bathed in, and cooked with severely contaminated water. Unfortunately, many victims exposed to the toxic water have already passed away. The CLJA permits wrongful death claims on behalf of deceased Camp Lejeune victims. If you are a family member of a loved one who passed away due to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune, you need to contact a lawyer as soon as possible, no matter how long ago the victim passed away.

September 30, 2022 – Links to File a CLJA Claim

Those who were exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987 can file a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. To file a claim, you need to fill out the CLJA claims form and email the completed form to the Office of the Judge Advocate General of the Navy’s Tort Claims Unit (TCU) at CLclaims@us.navy.mil. Be sure to save the form as instructed.

September 29, 2022 – Which Diseases Are Covered by the Camp Lejeune Justice Act?

It’s important to understand which diseases are known to be caused by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune and which diseases could have been caused by the water at Camp Lejeune. Scientific studies and medical evidence collected by the government have concluded that the main chemicals that contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune include:

• Perchloroethylene, or Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Vinyl Chloride
• Benzene

Along with many other chemicals found in the drinking water supply. Below is a list of these other adverse health effects that people may still request compensation for:

• Birth defects
• Brain Cancer/CNS Cancers
• Breast Cancer
• Cervical Cancer
• Choanal atresia
• Esophageal Cancer
• Eye Defects
• Hepatic Steatosis
• Infertility
• Lung Cancer
• Miscarriage
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Neurological effects
• Neurobehavioral effects
• Ovarian Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Rectal Cancer
• Renal toxicity
• Soft Tissue Cancer
• Other health conditions

People with non-preemptive injuries can still qualify for legal action as well.

September 23, 2022 – Who Can Bring a Camp Lejeune Claim?

Unfortunately, many military members lost a loved one many years ago due to the effect of the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. Now, lawyers are bringing wrongful death lawsuits, and people don’t understand why they would have a claim after so much time has passed.

Anyone, including family members, civilian employees, or veterans who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days, is eligible to bring a claim. If your family member lived or worked at Camp Lejeune but has since passed away, their estate can bring a wrongful death claim, even if the person died years ago and their estate has long been closed out in probate.

September 20, 2022 – Request for Camp Lejeune Class Action is Denied

There is good news, according to a judge’s ruling yesterday, when the request for pretrial consolidation was denied.  There will not be a Camp Lejeune class action lawsuit. In the first month since the CLJA was passed, thousands of Camp Lejeune cases have already been filed with the JAG, and many more are expected. Recently, North Carolina rejected this request without explanation.

However, lawyers support the ruling and will now be treating these as individual cases, which will lead to victims getting a faster and more appropriate Camp Lejeune settlements.

September 16, 2022 – Required Information for a Camp Lejeune Claim

What should my Camp Lejeune lawsuit include?

Initial claims filed with the Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) should include:

• Dates of residence or employment at Camp Lejeune
• Details about exposure to the contaminated water
• Dates of diagnosis of a specific health condition or disease
• Medical treatment that was required and the outcome
• The impact on one’s life, including mental and physical conditions, that resulted from the toxic water exposure
• A financial compensation request

After the claim is filed, JAG will accept or deny the claim within six months. Afterward, a federal lawsuit must be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

September 15, 2022 – Victims Must Prove They Were at Camp Lejeune

If you worked at Camp Lejeune military base in North Carolina from 1953 to 1987 as a civilian, along with any family members who suffered birth defects or health issues as a result of that exposure, you or your attorney will need to provide documents proving your employment, pay stubs, or tax returns to start your lawsuit as soon as possible. The JAG will require some evidence that you were at Camp Lejeune. Our attorneys are ready to fight for your compensation.

September 14, 2022 – Potential Claims Could Reach 500,000

Attorneys estimate in a recent Reuters article that nearly 500,000 Camp Lejeune claims could be filed this year.

September 13, 2022 – Consolidating Lawsuits and Filing a Claim

Before the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) was created, the VA awarded disability benefits to veterans who were at Camp Lejeune. These victims were later diagnosed with one of many diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Leukemia, Bladder cancer, Kidney cancer, Multiple myeloma, Aplastic anemia, and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Based on scientific evidence, these diseases were viewed as connected to the contaminated Camp Lejeune water. Lejeune victims who bring a toxic drinking water claim under the CLJA will most likely not be required to present causation evidence if they have one of these diseases.

Over 10,000 administrative claims have been filed with the Judge Advocate General for the Department of the Navy, and that number grows each week. A group of plaintiffs who have filed a Camp Lejeune lawsuit filed a motion on August 26, 2022, to consolidate all pending claims to improve the efficiency of the entire process and speed up the time period. It is widely believed that over 1,000,000 veterans, civilian workers, and family families may compose the plaintiff pool.

The JAG office for the Navy has issued a special form for Camp Lejeune plaintiffs to submit with their CLJA claims. In section 10, claimants must identify what disease or health condition they claim to have developed from the Lejeune water. Section 10 specifically names 12 health conditions and an additional section for “other” with a blank space for a description.

August 2022 – Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit History

President Biden signed the PACT Act on August 10th, allowing for Camp Lejeune victims to pursue compensation by removing prior constraints under North Carolina law. The toxic substances found in the contaminated water included dangerous chemicals such as benzene, vinyl chloride (VC), trichloroethylene (TCE), and perchloroethylene (PCE). Reach out to a lawyer to get started on your Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit today.

Camp Lejeune Was The Site of Widespread Water Contamination For Decades

An estimated 1 million people (mostly members of the Marine Corps, contractors, and military families) have been repeatedly exposed to toxic chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s water supply throughout the contamination from approximately 1953 to 1987.

Hazardous chemicals, many of them known carcinogens as recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency, have been detected in the wells that provided water to Camp Lejeune, including housing for military families. The staggering levels of contamination resulted in thousands of cases of birth defects, cancer diagnoses, and serious degenerative conditions requiring the need for health care benefits.

Two Main Water Treatment Facilities Contaminated The Water At Camp Lejeune Marine Base

The Tarawa Terrace Facility and the Hadnot Point Treatment Plant Facility are responsible for the contamination of all water at Camp Lejeune.

Tarawa began operations in 1952 and research later illustrated the system was contaminated with an industrial solvent known as PCE (perchloroethylene). PCE is a known carcinogen that is often utilized in the process of dry cleaning.

We are now aware that this chemical was discovered in the water back in 1953, the same year an off-base dry cleaning center was opened. Further, the water became contaminated by improper practices in disposing of the chemicals, along with multiple spills.

In 1985, it was discovered that the maximum PCE level in Lejeune water registered at 215 parts per billion. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) deems anything above 5 parts per billion to be unsafe for consumption or use.

During a span of 346 months from November 1957 to February 1987, the PCE concentrations greatly exceeded the allowable 5 parts per billion.

The PACT Act, Including Camp Lejeune Justice Act, Signed Into Law

On August 10, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act). The new law is named for Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson, whose life was cut short in 2020 after a long battle with lung cancer. Robinson was a member of the Ohio National Guard who was exposed to burning trash pits while deployed in Iraq from 2006-2007.

The PACT Act has become new law providing military veterans, civil servants, contractors, and their families the necessary healthcare for those exposed to an alarming level of toxins, including the drinking water at Camp Lejeune. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is incorporated into the PACT Act and enables veterans, civil servants, contractors, and their families to recover damages for harms and losses sustained from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987. Eligibility is available only to individuals who were exposed to the contaminated water for no less than thirty (30) days.

If your home or office was poisoned with contaminated tap water at Camp Lejeune, you may have the right to receive significant financial compensation. Contact the attorneys of Dolman Law Group at 866-932-3641, or you can write to us using our online contact page for a free consultation.

What Is The PACT Act?

The PACT Act expands eligibility for veterans exposed to serious toxins and contamination, such as burn pits and the water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Further, the PACT Act will expand screenings, including lab testing and medical treatment available to veterans exposed to toxic chemicals and water contamination, such as the water at Camp Lejeune. The PACT Act also codifies specific cancers and illnesses, which removes the burden of proof on our veterans to receive necessary benefits.

First Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Filed

Just hours after the PACT Act and Camp Lejeune Justice Act were signed into law by President Biden, the first Camp Lejeune lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, naming the United States of America as a defendant. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Timothy Pugh a service member who served at Camp Lejeune between 1984 through 1986 and was later diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2012. While this may have been the first Camp Lejeune lawsuit filed, we expect many more to be filed over the coming weeks in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Please note that before Camp Lejeune lawsuits are filed, your lawyer must file an administrative claim to the Judge Advocate General for the Department of the Navy. This is a condition precedent to any Camp Lejeune lawsuit. Thus, the lawsuits that have been filed in the U.S. Federal Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina already filed an administrative claim for disability coverage. Once an administrative claim is filed, the Department of the Navy has six months to approve or deny the said claim. A Camp Lejeune lawsuit can only be filed after such a determination.

Filing a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

If you, a loved one, or someone you know lived or worked at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and have a serious illness or cancer, please call us right away at 866-932-3641. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act provides individuals or their survivors who resided or worked at Camp Lejeune the right to file a civil lawsuit in the U.S. Federal Court in the Eastern District of North Carolina to seek damages for all harms and losses caused by exposure to contaminated water.

What Are The Time Limitations to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

Although the new Act created new opportunities for individuals to pursue legal action against the harm they suffered at Camp Lejeune, the time to file is not unlimited. According to these regulations, if you qualify to pursue legal action, you will only have two years from the date the Act was signed into law or two years from August 10, 2022, to file your suit. If you fail to file within this period, you can miss out on obtaining the money you need for the losses and suffering you endured.

For these reasons, it is essential not to delay pursuing this claim. Instead, you should reach out to a knowledgeable and skilled Camp Lejeune water contamination attorney as soon as possible. These legal professionals can determine whether you can file this lawsuit and ensure that the appropriate legal documents are prepared and submitted to the proper court before this period runs out.

Video Transcript: Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

Matt Dolman:
In this video, we’re going to discuss the current Camp Lejeune litigation, the Camp Lejeune lawsuit, and the whole claims process that we’re seeing. Now, Stan, and this is peculiar because they’ve created a fund for Camp Lejeune victims. In a previous video regarding another page on our website, we discuss the symptoms that many of these veterans are facing and they’re showing up with. Why are they filing lawsuits? Why are lawsuits being filed in this? And they’re being filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina, which is where Jacksonville, North Carolina is. That’s where MCAS, New River, that’s Marine Corps Air Station, New River, and where Camp Lejeune, where our Marine force and corp were based at. But why are they filing lawsuits? Why aren’t they just going through the settlement fund? What’s the whole purpose?

Stan Gipe:
Well, right now we’ve got a couple of different things going on. We’ve got this Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit that we’re pushing forward. And at this point, almost everything we’re doing is based on the Camp Lejeune Compensation Act that was just passed. Everything’s going through an administrative process if you qualify, okay? We’ve got several different qualifying conditions and several different chemicals that people were exposed to; however, this isn’t the only thing that happened at Camp Lejeune.
Do you know, there are several different things, and we kind of get into some other things, but Camp Lejeune was also someplace that they used copious amounts of AFFF, okay? Aqueous Film-Forming Foam for firefighters. There are some issues over there floating out with AFFF, but what we’re really talking about and what most people are focusing on these days is the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. That is the Camp Lejeune lawsuit you hear about so much, where you got all the different Camp Lejeune lawyers and attorneys out there, circling, trying to get the cases.
You’re going to hear commercials. You’re going to hear ads. You’re going to see all different kinds of stuff. What it’s important to do though, is make sure that you go with a firm that understands the different things that it takes to drive value and make sure you get your compensation and you are at the front of the line. And that’s basically what it boils down to.

Matt Dolman:
And not just selling for pennies in a dollar either. That’s willing to litigate these cases in Federal Court in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Has the resources and is affiliated with either local counsel in North Carolina or law firms, including ourselves, that handle these cases on a national level.

Stan Gipe:
If you go to Joe Schmo in Middle Idaho, and he tells you he’s going to handle this claim all by himself and take… Run, okay? What you want to do is you want to be working with people that know what they’re doing, okay? And typically it’s people that are handling a lot of these cases. They handle them in conjunction with other attorneys. You’re on the cutting edge of what’s happened. You need to be proactive if changes happen, okay? Compensation is what this is all about, okay? The whole thing about Camp Lejeune lawsuits is getting people paid for what happened to them.
But that’s not a definitive amount. I can pay you a dollar and you got paid for what happened to you. Your claim may be worth $100,000, maybe worth a million dollars. And that’s where the skill set of the attorney comes in. It’s going with a skilled attorney, going with someone who knows what they’re doing and is skilled at handling these types of claims. Going to make sure you get in that maximum compensation bucket. Make sure you’ve got the documentation that needs to be out there because there are several different things you need to prove up your claim. If you don’t have them, you don’t prove your claim.

Matt Dolman:
The reason though, I’m seeing many of these Camp Lejeune lawsuits being filed right now in actual lawsuits, not going through the whole settlement process and targeting the fund, I believe, and you tell me if I’m wrong, is just based on the level of damages associated with different medical conditions. Such as esophageal or kidney or colon cancer worth X amount of dollars, and then trying to take it out of the fund and try to litigate this case in Federal Court to get appropriate value for the case if the fund is undermining the value?

Stan Gipe:
I’ve seen that and I’m trying to read between the lines on some of it because the fund has language in there saying that you can’t file a lawsuit until after you excel state administrative process. You’ve got to go through the administrative process to file the lawsuit. Now, whether these are some people that may have been through the administrative process previously and were denied-

Matt Dolman:
Disability.

Stan Gipe:
… and now feel that they can file a lawsuit, you don’t know because it’s just now this stuff is starting to get filed. But there’s what I would call three separate areas of real compensation. One is medical care, okay? Getting fixed, getting the medical care related to the claim. That’s the most basic level. That’s like ground zero. Then your next tier up is the Veteran’s Disability Benefits. So on top of your medical care, you get some disability benefits from the veteran’s administration for having a service-related disability. Both of those pots have been there already. Those are established. They’ve been ways people have been able to deal with their Camp Lejeune exposure cases in the past.
Now, we’ve got this fund where you go that third layer and that’s one most people think about injuries, compensation, lawsuits. It’s this third layer, that puts money in their pocket for what they’ve been through. Not just a little bit of money along the way, not just, “Hey, here’s help with your medical care,” but pay you for how your life has been changed, okay? If you’ve got Parkinson’s life is vastly different. It didn’t play out the way you expected. Now’s when you’re getting the compensation you deserve for that stuff.

Matt Dolman:
Stan and I, We’re partners at Dolman Law Group. We’re a national practice as handling Camp Lejeune case on a national basis. We’re located in Florida. Our local number is (727) 451-6900. The national number is 83355 CRASH. We handle a lot of personal injury cases. Some of it comes referred by other lawyers who entrust us to handle some of their biggest claims. Stan is board-certified in civil trial litigation. I’ve handled thousands of lawsuits where I’ve served as lead counsel. We look forward to helping you in investigating your Camp Lejeune claim. If you want more information from our Camp Lejeune lawyers, you can reach us anytime again, 83355 CRASH, or go on our website, dolman.fuelm.dev, D-O-L-M-A-N law.com. Stan, anything you want to add?

Stan Gipe:
Yeah, I want to add you almost made us sound a little small there when you say we’re in Tampa, okay? Just so you know we’re-

Matt Dolman:
We’re all over the place.

Stan Gipe:
… physically located in Tampa. How many offices do we have now, Matt?

Matt Dolman:
We have 16 around the country, 13 or 12 that are based here in Florida, but we have affiliate relationships with some of the top trial lawyers throughout the nation. If ever we need to file a lawsuit in a specific jurisdiction, we have local counsel available to bring us into the case so we can file it anywhere.

Stan Gipe:
I mean, I know we’ve got offices in Boston, New York, and Houston, so we’ve got more of a nationwide reach, but we were a Florida-based firm, but we can help you out wherever it is that you are in the country, we can handle your Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.

Matt Dolman:
100%. I really appreciate you looking at our video or listening to our video or viewing our video and just give us a call today for a free consultation and case review. Stan and I stand by ready. Thank you.

How Much Will a Typical Camp Lejeune Settlement Be Worth?

It is too early to determine the average Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement or the range of settlements. However, based on our experience dealing with other mass tort projects and the injuries and medical expenses involved, we are inclined to believe the average Camp Lejeune lawsuit or claim will resolve for in excess of $150,000.00. We expect Camp Lejeune settlement amounts should range from $100,000.00 to $250,000.00.

Based on experience, we anticipate the Camp Lejeune settlement payouts to take less than two years. Keep in mind that this is only our best-educated guess as to average Camp Lejeune settlements. Time is of the essence to contact a lawyer to determine your rights and ability to pursue compensation. Our team of attorneys offers a free consultation and case review.

We will continue updating this page, and our website as to Camp Lejeune settlement amounts upon learning of the same. It will probably be at least a year or so before enough cases settle to get a clear picture of what a typical Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement looks like.

Camp Lejeune Contamination Victims Attempted To Sue But Were Rejected By The Courts

Hundreds of families who became sick or lost loved ones due to the contaminated Camp Lejeune water supply attempted to bring lawsuits under the Federal Tort Claims Act back in 2016 for damages and health care benefits. The cases were merged into multidistrict litigation (MDL)to be handled by a Federal District Court in North Carolina, where Camp Lejeune is located.

This happens when many cases rest on the same complaint, such as the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune causing death, illness, and suffering. Despite clear evidence of the government’s negligence, the original Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits—and the frustrated families’ desperate appeals—were all rejected.

The court’s basis for denying Camp Lejeune water contamination victims the right to recover damages and disability benefits was based on North Carolina’s stringent statute of repose. In effect, the time for Camp Lejeune families to file water contamination lawsuits had expired before the cause of their illnesses was even discovered.

North Carolina Law Prevented Camp Lejeune Victims from Suing

North Carolina’s statute of repose set a 10 year-year restricted window on filing personal injury claims like the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits. Essentially, if you failed to file a lawsuit within a certain amount of time after the date of the negligent act or injury occurred, you were permanently denied the ability to file a claim for damages. This law has proven highly problematic in the case of Camp Lejeune’s water contamination.

Many people didn’t realize they were impacted or connected their illness to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune until it was too late. However, many military members, contractors, and residents in the Camp Lejeune area are still dealing with the consequences of the contamination decades later.

To rectify this roadblock to getting injured military members and their families the compensation they deserve, Congress is currently working on legislation that would override North Carolina’s limiting deadline in the case of the water contamination disaster at Camp Lejeune.

Timeline of Camp Lejeune Justice Act

In 2022, a bill known as the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was introduced to allow anyone who worked, served, lived, or was in utero on the base during the contamination window at Camp Lejeune to file a claim for damages. As of early June of 2022, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 appears poised to pass with bipartisan support.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (The CLJA ) is included as a provision in the Honoring Our Pact Act of 2022, which finally was passed by both the House and Senate in accordance with the PACT Act.

The Long Road of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Prior to Passage of the PACT Act

The Senate filed a motion for culture on June 7th, 2022, which was an indication they were prepared to conclude the debate on this issue and hold a vote. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act ultimately received support from both Congress and the Senate and was then sent to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

The Honoring Our Pact Act of 2022 recently became new law enabling military members and their families who have been unfairly denied the right to file Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits to finally have the opportunity to file lawsuits against the federal government for its failure to protect them or warn them about the toxic chemicals present in the water supply.

What is Congress Doing to Help Camp Lejeune Families?

Previous efforts by Congress to provide relief to Camp Lejeune families, such as the Janey Ensminger Act of 2012, provided limited medical benefits to family members who lived or were in utero at Camp Lejeune during the contamination period. The bill is named for Janey Ensminger, a little girl who died of leukemia likely caused by exposure in utero to contaminated water while the child’s mother lived at Camp Lejeune.

The Plight of Camp Lejeune Victims Inspires Congress to Act

In most cases, the benefits were wildly insufficient compared to the treatment required for the devastating illness brought on by the toxic chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune. With North Carolina’s statute of repose in place, Camp Lejeune victims were left with no way to recover the cost of medical bills, lost wages, and other costs like pain and suffering if these benefits failed to cover their expenses. 

Members of Congress recognized the need to provide an avenue to seek compensation from the government for its negligence amid public outcry over Camp Lejeune victims’ exclusion from legal recourse due to North Carolina’s strict deadline. As of 2022, Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA), along with two original co-sponsors from North Carolina, introduced legislation in the House to rectify this issue.  

VA Disability Benefit Claims for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Illness

Veterans have the option to seek disability benefits if they suffered exposure to contaminated water while serving at Camp Lejeune. Filing a VA disability benefits claim can provide veterans with coverage in the form of monthly payments that potentially can amount to $3,000 a month, depending on your disability rating determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Seeking VA disability benefits can be expedited by presumptive service connection, which eliminates the need to tie certain health conditions to exposure to contaminated Camp Lejeune water. The requirements for presumptive service connection include:

• Proof you served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS for at least 30 days (consecutive or non-consecutive).
• Proof you have served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS sometime between August 1, 1952, and December 31, 1987.
• No dishonorable discharge.
• You must have suffered one or more of the following conditions you may be eligible to file a claim:
  • Breast cancer
  • Bladder cancer
  • Female infertility
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Hepatic Steatosis
  • Miscarriage
  • Lung cancer
  • Leukemia
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Scleroderma
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Nonhodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Neurobehavioral effects
  • Renal toxicity
  • Parkinson’s disease

Even if you do not qualify for presumptive service connection you may still be able to file a VA disability benefits claim. However, you will need to provide evidence, such as medical records that connect your injury with exposure to contaminated Camp Lejeune water, and be able to fulfill the usual qualifying service criteria to seek VA benefits/disability compensation.

Camp Lejeune’s Impressive History is Tainted by Water Contamination

Despite its much-lauded history and critical strategic role, Camp Lejeune was a breeding ground for death and disease for over three decades as a compromised water supply and contaminated drinking water sickened or killed Marines and their families. Diligent water contamination lawyers and dedicated activists, like Janey Ensminger’s father, have fought tirelessly to expose the devastating effects of Camp Lejeune’s water contamination and demand accountability from the U.S. government.

According to the base’s website, the “base and surrounding community is home to an active duty, dependent, retiree and civilian employee population of nearly 150,000 people.”. Many on the base only live there temporarily before moving to another resulting in an immense number of people being exposed to chemicals in the contaminated drinking water during their temporary residence.

How Did Camp Lejeune’s Water Become Contaminated?

As more studies have been conducted on how Camp Lejeune’s water supply became tainted with harmful toxins in the first place, it has become clear that multiple sources contributed to the presence of toxic substances in Camp Lejeune’s water supply. Many of these chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s water supply fall under the umbrella of volatile organic compounds, which the EPA states are “human-made…industrial solvents…[that are] common groundwater contaminants.”

Specific Volatile Organic Compounds Are The Source of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

A major source of harmful Volatile Organic Compounds was a nearby dry cleaning business. Dry cleaning businesses use a chemical called Perchloroethylene (PCE) to clean fabrics, and PCE from the ABC One Hour Cleaners’ leaked into the adjacent groundwater. The contaminated water was then distributed by the camp’s own Tarawa Terrace well system, which was constructed to provide Camp Lejeune with water in 1951.

We now have medical evidence that individuals were exposed to the contamination at Camp Lejeune since at least 1953. Sadly, this information was kept hidden from our veterans and other residents of this military training base.

Another origin of water contamination was the Hadnot Point water well at Camp Lejeune, which was primarily impacted by a chemical known as Trichloroethylene (TCE). TCE is thought to have entered the water supply from multiple sources, such as waste disposal sites and damaged underground storage containers.

At one point in 1979, the Hadnot Point Fuel Farm also experienced a spill that dumped tens of thousands of gallons of oil into the ground, further contaminating the Hadnot Point water well and resulting in contamination of the drinking water at Camp Lejeune. A wide array of other toxic chemicals have been found in Camp Lejeune water.

Harmful Chemicals Were Found in Camp Lejeune’s Water Supply

A recent CDC investigation identified PCE and TCE, along with other harmful chemicals, as the primary culprits for the contamination at Camp Lejeune. These hazardous chemicals contaminated water used for drinking, bathing, and cooking.

Toxic chemicals such as PCE and TCE are absorbed through the skin, ingestion, and inhalation, making it difficult, if not impossible, to prevent exposure while living or working on the base at Camp Lejeune, according to both scientific and medical evidence. The above-referenced chemicals pose very serious health concerns.

PCE Caused the Most Harm to Camp Lejeune Residents

At the height of the PCE contamination of the Tarawa Terrace well system, levels of the toxic chemical were measured at 43 times the safe limit in drinking water. Science has since linked the PCE from the dry cleaners to many serious health conditions and symptoms experienced by residents of Camp Lejeune.

Once PCE is absorbed in the body, it is able to disperse through the bloodstream and cause injuries to organs and the central nervous system. Exposure to PCE has been causally linked to bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and end-stage renal disease.

Toxic TCE Levels Were Astronomically High at Camp Lejeune

PCE wasn’t the only chemical wreaking havoc on the health of Camp Lejeune’s families. TCE levels were 280 times the amount that the EPA deems safe for drinking water. Like PCE, TCE is harmful when it enters the human body, especially in such large amounts.

In addition to being a carcinogen, TCE can be incredibly harmful to unborn babies, causing life-threatening conditions and deformities. TCE exposure has been linked to leukemia, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, Parkinson’s disease, end-stage renal disease, and scleroderma.

Other Medical Conditions Linked to Both PCE and TCE Exposure

• eye defects
• fetal death
• low birth weight
• miscarriage
• neural tube defects
• oral cleft defects
• breast cancer
• esophageal cancer
• kidney cancer
• Hodgkins disease
• ovarian cancer
• neurobehavioral performance deficits
• prostate cancer
• rectal cancer

Vinyl Chloride Linked to Liver Issues and Various Cancers

The industrial chemical vinyl chloride was detected in the Hadnot Point well along with TCE. it is a gas that can travel through contaminated water and be released into the air when water is used for cooking, washing clothes, or bathing.

In the case of Camp Lejeune water contamination, vinyl chloride exposure has been identified as a causal factor for liver cancer. There is also evidence to suggest vinyl chloride is responsible for liver cirrhosis and brain, lung, and soft tissue cancer.

Camp Lejeune’s Water Contained Cancer-Causing Chemical Benzene

It is believed that benzene entered the water supply at Camp Lejeune through the Hadnot Point well water system, spreading this chemical into the homes and job sites of unsuspecting military service members and their families.

Benzene is a chemical used for industrial purposes. It is a known carcinogenic that is known for causing leukemia and other blood-related health issues, such as compromising the immune system and damaging bone marrow.

The Navy Knew Camp Lejeune’s Water Was Potentially Unsafe

One of the key points in the water contamination lawsuits brought against the government is the Navy was aware of the health issues the contamination at Camp Lejeune posed. They failed to prevent contaminants from entering the base’s well water or recognize that the serious health issues impacting people at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune were connected.

U.S. Navy Failed to Share Their Knowledge of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

The U.S. Navy also failed to warn Marines and their families once they discovered there was a potential issue with toxic chemicals in the water supply, which had been detected in multiple wells as early as the 1940s. These wells were shut down, but the contamination at Camp Lejeune was not.

The U.S. Government Can Be Held Liable for Water Contamination Due to Negligence

While levels of toxic substances like PCE and TCE increased after the dry cleaners were established and the base expanded new Camp Lejeune lawsuits will contend that base leadership should have been well aware of the risk of water contamination based on prior experience and therefore had the responsibility to act.

The failure to warn of the above-referenced dangers will be the basis for establishing that the U.S. government is liable for the damages to Camp Lejeune families who became ill or lost loved ones due to contaminated water.

Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune is Responsible for Serious Injuries and Fatalities

With thousands of Marines and their families stationed at Camp Lejeune over a 30-year period, the scope of the damage is staggering. So far, the toxic chemicals in the water supply have been tied to a variety of cancers and other debilitating health conditions. These illnesses can take a tremendous physical, financial, and emotional toll on the sick individual and their family.

The Tragic Costs of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Health issues caused by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune can force a family to sacrifice opportunities when a sick member needs a full-time caregiver, incur a lifetime’s worth of medical debt, and fight for their lives through invasive and exhausting treatments like chemotherapy.

Tragically, some Camp Lejeune residents have already lost the battle, leaving their families without a parent and provider or irreparably distraught over the loss of a child.

Non-cancerous personal injuries and illnesses:

• Aplastic anemia
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Impaired immune system
• Neurological effects
• Neurobehavioral performance deficiencies
• Severe hypersensitivity skin disorder
• Liver cirrhosis
• End-stage renal disease
• Parkinson disease
• Scleroderma
• birth defects

Birth Defects and Conditions Related to Exposure to Contaminated Water:

• Low birth weight
• Fetal death
• Major malformations/disfigurement
• Miscarriage
• Neural tube defects
• Oral cleft defects
• Small for gestational age
• Choanal atresia
• Eye defects
• Cardiac defects

In many cases, the effects of Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water were not apparent until years later. Unfortunately, this has had the effect of depriving many families of the compensation they are rightfully owed. Our lawyers are prepared to help families take advantage of their right to seek a fair settlement in light of the soon-to-be-passed Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022.

Call us as soon as possible at 866-932-3641.

Damages Inflicted by Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Damages are the losses that a plaintiff suffers as a result of a liable party’s negligence. Knowing what damages you have suffered and calculating their value is an integral part of filing a Camp Lejeune water lawsuit. In the case of those harmed by Camp Lejeune water contamination, the damages inflicted by exposure to chemicals such as PCE and TCE can not only be severe but long-term as well.

Types of Damages Available Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act

Economic damages are usually the most apparent and consist of financial losses caused by personal injuries, such as cancer or disorders that develop due to water contamination. These damages are measurable in dollar terms thanks to bills, invoices, wage calculations, etc., and are often the first losses that come to mind.

Compensation can involve not only past and immediate expenses incurred because of water contamination injuries but future costs too.

Non-economic damages can also be claimed in personal injury lawsuits. These damages are not tangible but still are significant in terms of their negative effects on a plaintiff’s quality of life.

Experienced personal injury lawyers can help you calculate your damages and pursue compensation.

The following are some potential damages that could be claimed in a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.

• Medical bills
  • Lab Tests
  • Ambulance Rides
  • Surgeries
  • Hospital Stays
  • Medication
  • Home Healthcare Services
  • Physical or Occupational Therapy
• Lost Wages
• Lost Earning Potential
  • Costs of Job Retraining
  • Missed Promotions
  • Inability to Continue Career
• Pain and Suffering
• Loss of Consortium
• Punitive Damages
• Physical Disfigurement/Scarring
• Permanent Disability

Who Qualifies to File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?

The Camp Lejeune lawsuits will most likely be put into a class-action lawsuit in order to produce consistent settlement outcomes and conserve government resources, as Camp Lejeune families are spread out across the U.S. and potentially across the world. As a class-action case, the water contamination lawsuits will likely be heard in North Carolina and consist of personal injury and wrongful death claims on behalf of those who performed military service, civilian workers, family members, and former residents of the area.

Anyone who has sustained an injury or illness caused by their exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base or those families affected may be eligible to recover compensation for damages, provided that they qualify based on the list outlined below.

This includes Camp Lejeune veterans and service members, their families, and civilian contractors who were present at the time of the contamination. The families of those who have since died from their illnesses caused by Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water may also seek compensation for costs like funeral expenses, lost income contribution, and loss of parental guidance.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyers – Understanding the Criteria for a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

In order to be able to seek damages against the federal government for its negligence in allowing decades of contamination to the water at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base, you must meet certain requirements. To be eligible under the new Camp Lejeune Justice Act, you must have lived, worked, served, or been in utero at Camp Lejeune:

• For at least 30 cumulative days
• Between the dates of August 31st, 1953, and December 31st, 1987
• And have developed one of the diseases or conditions stipulated by the CDC

If you meet these conditions and want to pursue damages for the costs you have incurred, you will still need a skilled mass tort lawyer to prove your injuries resulted from the government’s failure to prevent or alert families to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

While the government may be willing to cede the argument that negligence was present due to overwhelming evidence of contamination, the real fight will be ensuring that individuals and family members are properly compensated for their injuries and health care.

At Dolman Law Group, we have ample experience investigating and demonstrating how an injury has impacted the life of a client. Marine Corps veterans and their families deserve to be fully compensated for their harm and losses.

How Can a Water Contamination Lawyer Help Me With My Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

If you or your family were exposed to toxic chemicals while living or working at Camp Lejeune, you may have spent decades dealing with unexplained health issues, only to discover that your own home was poisoned with contaminated tap water for decades. Dangerous chemicals did, in fact, enter the drinking water and affect its quality and safety.

A water contamination lawyer can help you prove that your personal injury or the death of your loved one was more likely than not caused by exposure to toxic chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water supply. It can also be difficult to show that your illness is directly tied to a specific event rather than related to other prior health conditions.

This will likely require many hours of intense research, conversations with the military, environmental, and medical experts, as well as coordination of resources and persistent negotiations with the government’s legal team. You’ll need a Camp Lejeune lawyer who has experience examining dense medical records, proving causation, and detailing the implications of your injuries on your health and finances.

Why Choose Dolman Law Group for Your Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyers

Dolman Law Group is a nationally recognized and highly regarded law firm. As of date, we have obtained over $400 million in compensation for our clients. We will exhaustively pursue compensation and maximize the damages available for recovery. Our law firm handles Camp Lejeune claims on a national basis. The experienced team of attorneys at Dolman Law Group has over 150+ years of combined experience handling serious and often catastrophic injury claims.

Matthew Dolman

Matthew Dolman is the Managing Partner of Dolman Law Group. He is a lifetime member of both the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which recognizes injury lawyers who have obtained jury verdicts or settlements in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. Matthew has been voted by his colleagues (fellow Florida Bar members) as a Florida Superlawyer on four separate occasions and has similarly been selected as one of Florida’s Legal Elite five times. Further, he will be listed in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers.

Stanley Gipe

Stan Gipe is a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. Thus, he has been deemed an expert in trial practice and has served as lead counsel on over 2000 lawsuits and multiple trials.

Our law firm offers a free case review to discuss your potential Camp Lejeune lawsuit. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act has been a long time coming, and we are glad veterans, civilian workers, and family members will finally have their opportunity to seek justice.

Dolman Law Group is Ready to Help Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Victims

The lawyers of Dolman Law Group are experts at handling complex cases, like those involving injuries sustained decades ago. We know how to construct a compelling toxic exposure claim that captures the true scope of what you have lost, whether that be your health, a loved one, your independence, or your ability to work.

Our legal team has years of experience in taking on many class-action lawsuits to recover injured clients’ damages and are currently involved in prominent lawsuits such as the ongoing hair relaxer and Uber sexual assault lawsuits. Former clients of Dolman Law Group will vouch for our strategic perspective, solid legal advice, and dedication to achieving fair settlement outcomes for our clients.

The lawyers of Dolman Law Group have received a variety of awards for our legal services, but we believe that it is our word-of-mouth reputation that has made us some of the most sought-after attorneys in personal injury law. We will make your needs our priority as we work tirelessly to recover your losses in a Camp Lejeune contaminated water lawsuit.

Contact Dolman Law Group for Help With Your Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

Our law firm holds enormous respect for service members and their families, who make tremendous sacrifices for our country every day. After decades of disappointment, we believe that Camp Lejeune victims who became ill or died from exposure to contaminated drinking water have a good chance of recovering fair settlements from the United States government thanks to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

Dolman Law Group has built a national reputation for giving a voice to injured clients who have been harmed by someone else’s negligence and consistently delivering the results they expect. We won’t be intimidated by going up against the federal government or taking your Camp Lejeune cancer lawsuit to trial. Our team has the financial resources to handle any size case.

The window to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit will be limited, so we encourage you to explore your legal options in a free consultation with Dolman Law Group as soon as possible. Our skilled lawyers will guide you through the process of filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit to help you recover the maximum compensation available for your injuries and losses. Call 833-552-7274 anytime, or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation today.

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The Dolman Law Group works with local counsel in any jurisdiction outside Florida for the purpose of filing lawsuits in jurisdictions wherein we are not licensed.  Thus, we will follow each State’s ethical rules to ensure a local attorney is involved.

What Our Clients Have to Say:

“So happy I chose Dolman Law Group!!! My experience with the law firm right from the start was fast, friendly and understanding. I started treatment for my injury right away, and while I was focusing on getting better the firm was fighting for me. Incredibly happy with the outcome, thank you to Brent and the team for all the hard work and updates.”

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Chelsey Lambert
January 2019
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