Our lawyers are still helping people file Camp Lejeune claims, and the process is developing for Camp Lejeune Lawsuits in North Carolina federal court.
The U.S. government has started making settlement offers and payments to individuals affected by contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, more than a year after the enactment of the federal law allowing compensation.
According to court documents, three people have accepted settlements totaling $850,000, with two of them already receiving their payments.
The government has made 23 settlement offers so far, while over 117,000 administrative claims and 1,300 lawsuits related to water contamination at the base are pending.
These claims allege health problems, including cancer and miscarriages, due to the contaminated water.
According to reports, the total cost of these claims could reach $3.3 trillion.
Additionally, an unpublished study revealed elevated cancer rates among those who lived at Camp Lejeune, potentially leading to more claims.
The settlements are part of an elective option offering specific amounts based on the nature of the illness and exposure duration.
This option aims to expedite resolution outside of the administrative or litigation process, providing payments between $100,000 and $550,000.
The Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act signed by President Joe Biden in August 2022 initiated the process for Camp Lejeune claims, acknowledging potential harm to up to one million people due to water contamination from 1953 to 1987.
Additionally, the public is still awaiting the release of a significant “cancer incidence study” conducted by an agency within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the health impacts of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base, from the 1950s to the 1980s.
Although the study concluded several months ago and underwent external peer review, it has not been made public yet.
This delay could have implications for over 1,100 lawsuits seeking compensation for individuals who suffered health issues due to exposure to the tainted water.
The study was initiated in 2015 to investigate cancer cases among those exposed to the contaminated water, and it aimed to provide scientific evidence for the lawsuits.
The litigation was made possible by the PACT Act of 2022, which allowed individuals harmed at Camp Lejeune to file damage claims with the Navy and, if unresolved, pursue lawsuits in federal court.
The delay in releasing the study has raised concerns among veterans and advocates who believe it is essential for establishing the causal link between exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune and various diseases.
Some diseases, like kidney and liver cancer, have stronger associations with the pollutants, while others, such as breast cancer, have weaker connections.
There are allegations that the study’s release is being stalled, possibly by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Navy, as it may raise the scientific evidence for diseases currently categorized as “Tier 2” or lower.
Critics argue that the CDC and its agency, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), should prioritize public health rather than protecting the government from lawsuits.
If you or a loved one lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune claim.
Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.
You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit instantly.
Chicago
Edwardsville
St. Louis
Other Illinois Locations
Other Missouri Locations
