What the Camp Lejeune lawsuit is about

The Camp Lejeune lawsuit stems from contaminated drinking water at the U.S. Marine Corps base in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987. The water contained industrial chemicals including trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, and other volatile organic compounds. People who lived or worked at the base during that period and later developed certain illnesses may have grounds to pursue a claim against the federal government.

The lawsuit became possible after Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act in 2022, which removed the statute of limitations that had previously blocked claims. This means people who were exposed decades ago can now file, even though the contamination ended in 1987. The law also created a pathway for settlements and judgments without requiring proof that the government was negligent—only that exposure and illness occurred.

Key Takeaways

  • You may file a claim if you lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987 and later developed one of eight specific illnesses linked to the contamination.
  • The eight covered illnesses are bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Parkinson's disease, and aplastic anemia.
  • You do not need to prove the government was negligent; the law presumes a link between exposure and these illnesses if you meet the time and location requirements.
  • Claims are filed through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and you will need medical records, military service records, and documentation of your time at the base.
  • An attorney is not required, but most people use one because the process involves federal court procedures and gathering evidence across multiple agencies.

Who can file a claim

To file a Camp Lejeune claim, you must have spent at least 30 days at the base between January 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. This includes active-duty Marines, Navy personnel, civilian employees, family members of service members, and contractors who worked there. The 30 days do not have to be consecutive, so multiple shorter stays can add up.

You must also have been diagnosed with one of the eight illnesses the law recognizes as linked to the contamination: bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Parkinson's disease, or aplastic anemia. The diagnosis does not have to have occurred when ready after exposure—some of these conditions took decades to develop. Your diagnosis must come after the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was signed into law on August 10, 2022.

If you meet these criteria, you can file even if you were exposed as a child, even if you no longer have military service records, and even if you have already received VA benefits for the same condition. Filing a claim does not affect your VA benefits.

What documents you will need to gather

Before filing, collect medical records showing your diagnosis of one of the eight covered illnesses. This includes pathology reports, imaging results, lab work, and physician notes. If your diagnosis is recent, your current doctor's office can usually provide these. If the diagnosis is older, you may need to contact the hospital or clinic where you were treated.

You will also need proof of your time at Camp Lejeune. Military service members can request their records through the National Archives or the National Personnel Records Center. If you were a civilian employee or family member, look for old military IDs, housing records, utility bills with a Camp Lejeune address, or letters from that period. Some people have found old lease agreements or school enrollment records helpful.

Finally, gather any documentation linking your illness to the contamination—this might include your own research, medical literature your doctor provided, or VA disability determinations that mention Camp Lejeune. While the law presumes the link, having this material helps your attorney present a complete picture.

How the claims process works in federal court

Claims are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. You or your attorney will file a complaint that states your name, your time at Camp Lejeune, your diagnosis, and the date of diagnosis. The complaint is a formal legal document, which is why many people hire an attorney to prepare it.

After filing, the case enters the federal court system. The government will respond, usually within 60 days. Because the law presumes causation, the government cannot straightforward deny that your exposure caused your illness—instead, they may argue that you do not meet the time or location requirements, or that your diagnosis does not fall under the eight covered illnesses.

Many cases settle before trial. The government and your attorney may negotiate a settlement amount, which can range widely depending on the illness, your age at exposure, and other factors. If no settlement is reached, your case proceeds to trial, where a judge or jury decides whether you meet the legal requirements and what damages you should receive.

Finding and working with an attorney

Most Camp Lejeune claims are handled by attorneys who work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your settlement or judgment instead of charging an upfront fee. This makes it possible to pursue a claim without paying out of pocket. Typical contingency fees range from 25 to 33 percent, though this varies by firm and can sometimes be negotiated.

To find an attorney, search for "Camp Lejeune lawsuit attorney" in your state, or ask for referrals from your local bar association. Many attorneys who handle these cases have websites explaining their experience with Camp Lejeune claims specifically. During an initial consultation—which is usually free—ask how many Camp Lejeune cases they have handled, what the typical timeline is, and how they communicate with clients.

You can also file without an attorney, though this requires understanding federal court procedures, filing important date, and how to present evidence. The court clerk's office can provide general information about the process, but they cannot give legal information. If you choose to represent yourself, the Federal Judicial Center offers free guides on federal court procedures online.

Timeline and what to expect

From filing to settlement or judgment typically takes one to three years, though some cases move faster and others take longer. The timeline depends on how quickly you gather documents, how soon the government responds, whether settlement negotiations succeed, and how crowded the court's docket is.

In the first few months after filing, you and your attorney will exchange documents with the government's lawyers in a process called discovery. You may be asked to provide additional medical records or answer written questions about your time at Camp Lejeune. The government will do the same, providing documents about the contamination and the base's water system.

If settlement talks begin, they can happen at any point. Some cases settle within six months; others take longer. If your case does not settle, it will be scheduled for trial, which may be months or years away depending on the court's schedule. Throughout this time, stay in touch with your attorney and respond promptly to requests for information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim if I already received VA disability benefits for my illness?

Yes. Filing a Camp Lejeune claim does not affect your VA benefits, and you can pursue both at the same time. The VA and the federal court system are separate, so receiving benefits from one does not disqualify you from the other. Some people have received VA benefits for decades and are now filing Camp Lejeune claims.

What if I cannot find my military service records?

The law does not require you to have original military documents. You can use other evidence of your time at Camp Lejeune, such as old addresses, family photos taken at the base, school records, or statements from people who were there with you. Your attorney can help you gather alternative documentation and present it to the court.

How much money might I receive?

Settlement amounts vary widely. Factors include your age at exposure, the specific illness you developed, the severity of your condition, and whether you have other health issues. Some settlements are in the tens of thousands of dollars; others are higher. Your attorney can discuss what similar cases have settled for, though no two cases are identical.

Is there a important date to file?

There is no federal statute of limitations for Camp Lejeune claims under the Justice Act, meaning you can file at any time. However, the longer you wait, the harder it may be to gather evidence and locate witnesses. Filing sooner rather than later is generally advisable, though there is no specific important date.

What if I was exposed but have not been diagnosed with one of the eight illnesses yet?

You cannot file a claim until you have a diagnosis of one of the covered illnesses. If you have health concerns related to your time at Camp Lejeune, talk to your doctor about screening or testing. Once you receive a diagnosis, you can then pursue a claim.