The government this month took the first step toward settling some of the nearly 100,000 claims by veterans and family members who say they were harmed by contaminated drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

But while the offers of between $100,000 and $550,000 from the Navy and the Justice Department to settle claims are likely to be accepted by some victims, many others and their attorneys are still pushing for action on more than 1,100 cases already filed in federal court.

The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is a class action lawsuit filed by veterans and their families who were exposed to toxic chemicals in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, between 1953 and 1987. The chemicals, which included volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and trihalomethanes (THMs), have been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer, birth defects, and neurological disorders.

The lawsuit was filed in 2012, and it is still ongoing. In 2022, Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which created a new pathway for veterans and their families to seek compensation for their injuries. The law also created a special fund to pay out claims.

Since the passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, more than 100,000 claims have been filed with the Department of the Navy. The Navy has not yet begun processing these claims, but it is expected to start doing so in the coming months.

In the meantime, the lawsuit is continuing to move forward in court. In September 2023, the judge overseeing the case denied a motion by the government to delay discovery. This means that the plaintiffs can now begin to gather evidence from the government.

The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is a complex and challenging case. However, it is an important case for veterans and their families who have been harmed by the toxic chemicals in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune.

Here are some of the latest developments in the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit:

  • In September 2023, the judge overseeing the case denied a motion by the government to delay discovery. This means that the plaintiffs can now begin to gather evidence from the government.
  • In August 2023, the Navy announced that it would be offering an expedited resolution process for Camp Lejeune water contamination victims. This process is known as the Elective Option.
  • In July 2023, the court appointed a team of lawyers to lead the ongoing lawsuits filed by Camp Lejeune victims.
  • In May 2023, a study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that women who were exposed to the chemicals in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune during pregnancy were more likely to have children with birth defects.

If you or a loved one was exposed to the toxic chemicals in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune, you may be eligible to file a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. To learn more about your legal options, you should contact an experienced Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer.