Camp Lejeune Water Contamination: Status Update After Filing Deadline
Important: Filing Deadline Has Passed
The deadline to file a Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) claim was August 10, 20241. No new claims are being accepted. However, if you filed a claim before the deadline and it was denied, you may still file a lawsuit within 180 days of receiving the denial2.
Background
From August 1953 to December 19873, service members and their families at Camp Lejeune were exposed to drinking water contaminated with toxic chemicals including3:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Benzene
- Vinyl chloride
Health Conditions Linked to Exposure
Scientific studies have connected Camp Lejeune water contamination to numerous serious health conditions:
- Cancers: Leukemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Neurological conditions: Parkinson's disease, neurobehavioral effects
- Other conditions: Kidney disease, liver disease, infertility, miscarriage, birth defects
Who Qualified
Eligibility requirements under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act2:
- Lived, worked, or were in utero at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days (need not be consecutive)2
- Residency between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 19872
- Experienced harm linked to toxic drinking water at Camp Lejeune
Current Status (2025)
- Nearly 500,000 claims have been filed1
- Expert discovery is underway with first Track 1 trials expected in 20265
- Special Masters report a global settlement may be finalized by the end of 20255
- 25 Track 1 bellwether cases have been selected involving bladder cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, Parkinson's disease, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma5
Elective Option Settlements
Expedited Elective Option (EO) payouts range from $100,000 to $550,000, depending on illness type and time spent on base4. As of June 2024, $14.4 million has been paid to 58 Camp Lejeune victims who accepted EO payments4.
References:
1 Navy.mil Camp Lejeune Justice Act Official Page - Official filing deadline and claim statistics
2 Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 - Statutory requirements including residency period, 30-day minimum, and lawsuit filing timeframes
3 EPA Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Study - Contamination period and toxic chemicals identified
4 Navy.mil Elective Option Information - EO payout ranges and statistics
5 Federal Court Records - Camp Lejeune Litigation - Bellwether case selection and trial scheduling
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