Background

From 1953 to 1987, the water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was contaminated with harmful chemicals, including benzene, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, and vinyl chloride. These chemicals have been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer, miscarriages, birth defects, and neurological disorders.

In 2012, Congress passed the Janey Ensminger Act, which allowed veterans and their families who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to file claims for compensation. As of November 2023, over 117,000 administrative claims and 1,300 lawsuits have been filed.

November Updates

In November 2023, there were several important developments in the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit:

  • The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a new tiered settlement compensation system for administrative claims. This system will provide faster and more equitable compensation to victims of the contamination.

  • The DOJ also announced that it will begin making payments to victims who have already had their claims approved. This is a welcome development for victims who have been waiting for years for compensation.

  • A federal judge ruled that the government must provide more evidence to support its argument that some veterans' illnesses were not caused by the contaminated water. This ruling could lead to more victims being eligible for compensation.

What's Next

The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is still ongoing. The DOJ is continuing to process administrative claims, and the courts are continuing to hear lawsuits. It is possible that the lawsuit will not be resolved for several years.

In the meantime, victims of the contamination are encouraged to continue to file claims for compensation. They can do so by filing an administrative claim with the Navy JAG or filing a lawsuit in federal court.

Victims can also get help from a number of organizations, including the Camp Lejeune Claims Center and the Janey Ensminger Foundation. These organizations can provide information about the lawsuit, help with filing claims, and offer support to victims.

Conclusion

The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is a major public health and legal issue. The government has a responsibility to compensate the victims of this contamination, and it is important that the lawsuit continues to move forward.

Victims of the contamination should continue to file claims for compensation and seek help from organizations that can provide support. With continued pressure from the public and the courts, the government will be forced to face its responsibility and provide justice to the victims of this tragedy.