Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Lawsuit | Free Case Review

What Happened?

From 1953 to 1987, the drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — primarily trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride at levels far exceeding safe limits. The contamination came from on-base dry cleaning operations, industrial spills, and leaking underground storage tanks. The US government was aware of the contamination but failed to act for decades. Roughly 1 million veterans, their family members, and civilian workers were exposed. In August 2022, President Biden signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which for the first time allowed victims to sue the federal government for harm caused by the contaminated water. This was a landmark change — the federal government is normally immune from such suits.

Who Qualifies?

You must have lived, worked, or been in utero at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. You or a family member must have been diagnosed with one of the following conditions: bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, adult leukemia, aplastic anemia, Parkinson's disease, kidney disease or renal toxicity, scleroderma, neurobehavioral effects, or a child born with birth defects to a mother who was pregnant while at Camp Lejeune.

Primary Diagnoses:

Bladder cancerBenzene and TCE are known bladder carcinogens — one of the most common Camp Lejeune cancers.

Kidney cancerTCE is a known kidney carcinogen per the EPA and IARC.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomaBenzene and TCE are associated with NHL.

Multiple myelomaBenzene exposure is linked to plasma cell cancers.

Adult leukemiaIncluding acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (benzene is a known human leukemogen).

Parkinson's diseaseTCE has been strongly linked to Parkinson's in multiple studies.

Kidney disease and renal toxicityDirect toxic injury from TCE and PCE.

Litigation Status

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act set a two-year filing window — lawsuits must have been filed by August 10, 2024 for the initial period, but the litigation is ongoing and actively resolving. Hundreds of thousands of claims have been filed. The Navy JAG office is processing administrative claims before lawsuits. Elective Option settlements have been announced for certain cancers. This is one of the largest mass tort litigations in American history. If you have not yet filed, consult an attorney immediately — deadlines and eligibility windows continue to evolve.

Estimated Compensation

Elective Option settlements announced by the government range from approximately $150,000 to $550,000 depending on diagnosis, with higher-tier cancers like leukemia and NHL receiving the largest awards. Tier 1 cancers (bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, kidney cancer, leukemia, multiple myeloma): $300,000-$550,000. Tier 2 conditions (Parkinson's, kidney disease, scleroderma): $100,000-$300,000. Wrongful death cases: $100,000-$500,000. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: These are government-announced settlement ranges for the Elective Option. Individual lawsuit values may differ. This is not a guarantee of any specific amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a Camp Lejeune claim if the veteran has passed away?

Yes. Family members or representatives of the estate can file a wrongful death or survival action claim on behalf of a deceased veteran or family member who was exposed and suffered a qualifying illness.

Do family members who lived on base qualify?

Yes. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act applies to anyone exposed for at least 30 days, including spouses, children, and civilian contractors, not just military personnel.

How do I prove I was at Camp Lejeune?

Military records (DD-214), housing records, base employment records, tax returns, or sometimes affidavits can establish your presence. Law firms often assist in obtaining these records.

Will filing a lawsuit affect my VA benefits?

No. Filing a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act does not threaten your existing VA disability or health benefits, although eventual settlement awards may have offsets applied if the VA already compensated you for the exact same illness.

What is the Elective Option?

The government introduced a voluntary, standardized payout grid (Elective Option) designed to resolve certain tier 1 and tier 2 claims faster without prolonged litigation. You can choose to accept it or pursue a traditional lawsuit for potentially higher compensation.

Is the 30-day requirement consecutive?

No. The 30 days of exposure between 1953 and 1987 can be cumulative (added up over time), not necessarily consecutive.

What if I can't find my medical records?

Attorneys who specialize in these cases have dedicated teams and resources to track down old medical and military records on your behalf.

I missed the August 2024 deadline, can I still file?

The initial administrative filing window closed in August 2024, but some exceptions or ongoing related litigations may exist. You should consult an attorney immediately to see if any tolling rules or alternative avenues apply.

Think You May Qualify?

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Filing Deadlines Apply

Statutes of limitations vary by state.

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Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit