One of the Grainger scientists also met with the deputy director of base utilities at Camp Lejeune to warn him about the tainted water problem. This page gives the most recent updates on the new Camp Lejeune litigation. There will be wild variation around these averages. | Sitemap This toxic water did not create just a theoretical risk of harm. This law is also called the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. Two hundred thirty-two of these CLJA civil cases were filed on a single day, Friday, March 31, 2023. March 20, 2023 Update 260 Lawsuits and Climbing. The basic eligibility criteria are as follows: 1. This door swings both ways in terms of impact on settlement amounts. The Congressional Budget Office a flawed bureaucracy but still the best governmental agency at projecting cost in the history of the world has projected $22 billion to settle these cases. Ron even fought to reduce how much I owed in medical bills so I could get an even larger settlement. To be clear there are no guarantees, and every Camp Lejeune claim is unique. The Marine Corps flatly refused to disclose the testing reports, and in December 1983, they reduced the level of water testing being done by Grainger at the base. In the Camp Lejeune cases, the primary injuries will be Parkinsons disease, lung cancer, leukemia, liver cancer, kidney cancer, and lymphoma. The site is secure. In this case, that is the JAG at the Department of Navy. December 29, 2022 Camp Lejeune Court Ruling. In the 1980s, toxic chemicals were found in Camp LeJeune's drinking water. MEMBER DEALS: All your member discounts, all in one place. You may be eligible fordisability compensation payments on a presumptive basis if you meet all of these requirements. If you served at either of these locations between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, you may be eligible for disability and health care benefits: Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina. The second is a wrongful death and survival action claim for losing a loved one. Note: In utero means that your mother was pregnant with you at the time. To get a VA disability rating, your disability must connect to your military service. Michigan officials are warning service members about potential scams related to lawsuits over contaminated drinking water on a Marine base in North Carolina. December 26, 2022 Risk of Inconsistent Verdicts in North Carolina. Grainger provided additional warnings about the water contamination to Marine Corps officials in December 1982, March 1983, and September 1983. But the lawsuit must be initiated by the estates personal representative on behalf of the family members for the death. Otherwise, you risk conflicting opinions, which is not what the Camp Lejeune litigation needs. It is too early to project settlement amounts. Many Camp Lejeune claims may be settled during this administrative claim process before a civil lawsuit is filed. The first is for victims with a Camp Lejeune claim for their injuries. But it needs to put more energy into getting up to speed to process these claims. But the gold rush is fading. Who Can File a Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuit? Call our lawyers today at 800-553-8082 or get a free online consultation if you have a potential Camp Lejeune lawsuit. For many health conditions, you need to prove that your service caused your condition. The CLJA circumvents the North Carolina statute of repose and allows victims to file lawsuits in federal court if they were exposed (even in-utero) to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days. Under the newly enacted CLJA, anyone who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 days between 1953 and 1987 will be entitled to bring a tort suit in the Eastern District of North Carolina for injuries related to the contaminated water. File for disability compensation online now, Learn more about how to file a disability compensation claim. However, with the right information and guidance, you can determine if you meet the eligibility criteria for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit and take the necessary steps to seek justice. Why? . The new law only covers claims that arose during that period. The qualifying conditions include cancers such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and kidney cancer, as well as . February 22, 2023 Update Government Encourages Victims to Make Two Claims. The government will not allow you to be compensated twice for the same purpose. Although there are some strategic reasons for the legacy plaintiffs to win this argument, the outcome of this battle will have minimal impact on the majority of Camp Lejeune cases. It should mean that you wont have to battle quite as hard to prove that your disease is connected to the Camp Lejeune water, even when you may have other risk factors. You can also file by mail, in person, or with the help of a trained professional. GOALS FOR THE 118TH CONGRESS: Learn more about MOAA's top priorities on Capitol Hill. The government will not go through the trouble of allowing victims to make a claim, only to fight them tooth and nail. Call our lawyers today at 800-553-8082 or get a free online consultation if you have a potential Camp Lejeune lawsuit. Successful claimants who establish these requirements will be entitled to the full range of compensatory damages available in tort cases (past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, etc.). The PACT Act doesnt affect VA benefits related to Camp Lejeune. These 30 days need not be continuous. Learn how to get help filing your VA claim. Fast. The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits dismissal created public outrage because it meant that thousands of innocent victims (including military veterans and their families) would be denied compensation for serious injuries. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Updates August 10, 2022: President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan PACT Act into law on August 10, 2022. You can contact the Department of Justice by phone or email: No. The Department of Justice filed a motion to extend the time to file answers to each individual plaintiffs complaint. Last week we saw a spike in the volume of new Camp Lejeune civil lawsuits getting filed. Lawsuits and Veterans Administration (VA) claims continue to be filed by service members and their loved ones who have developed physical ailments after being exposed to tainted drinking water at Camp Lejeune. You must also . The other school of thought is that even the CBO cannot project this. You only need to meet the service requirements for the presumption. Mary was subsequently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, and she passed away in 2013, leaving her daughter to file wrongful death claims under the CLJA. The Process of Filing a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. If you have other health insurance, you must provide a document called anExplanation of Benefits from your other health insurance. It is also important to understand there may be a range of settlements from over $1 million per person to as little as $25,000. These lawsuits are only available to individuals who were exposed to the contaminated water for at least 30 days. | Privacy Policy, President Signs Comprehensive Toxic Exposure Reform Into Law. Nine more Camp Lejeune civil lawsuits were filed yesterday in the Eastern District of North Carolina. (This could be wishful thinking, too.). The CLJA requires all plaintiffs to go through a 6-month administrative claim process: (h) Disposition By Federal Agency Required.- An individual may not bring an action under this section before complying with section 2675 of title 28, United States Code. As our lawyers have said, this takes away an advantage for those individual plaintiffs who are now pushed back in line with everyone else. You can also expect settlement payouts that are less than half of this average. Compensation is only available to individuals who were exposed to Camp Lejeune's contaminated water between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. This data set was compared to the same mortality data for personnel stationed at another military base where the water was not contaminated (Camp Pendleton, CA). We can safely assume that at least half of these will end up getting filed as civil lawsuits. In order to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, a person must meet the following two criteria: First, they must have lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between the years of 1953 and 1987. This is important because, while it allows veterans and their family members to pursue compensation if they were harmed decades ago, it also means they have a limited time to file a claim. PCE is a clear liquid with a mild odor primarily used as a fabric solvent in the commercial dry-cleaning industry. Is it hard to spend $30 billion as compensation for injury and wrongful death claims brought by Marine veterans serving our country when we spend $40 billion on Ukrainian Aid Package #7? At this point, the USMC finally agreed to begin shutting down the contaminated water wells. 28A-18-1, known as a survivorship claim. Veterans, family members, and survivors (or their legal representatives) can file a lawsuit in the Eastern District of North Carolina. The U.S. Navy JAG Corps has posted information about how to file a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, outlining the required steps needed to file a Camp Lejeune water lawsuit. In 2007, however, it was revealed that EPA officials involved in the investigation wanted to charge several Lejeune officials with obstruction of justice. December 14, 2022 Lung Cancer Lejeune Settlement Amounts. April 4, 2023 Update Number of Filed Lawsuits Jump. . The court has consolidated all of the cases for pretrial discovery. None of the initial claims have been settled (JAG never even collected supporting documents for the claims). Further reflection on how the equipoise standard of proof unique to Camp Lejeune will impact those claims, especially for plaintiffs with a smoking history. Many are now wondering how many total claims will get filed under the CLJA before the deadline in August 2024. Camp Lejeune is the traditional home base of many resident Marine Corps commands, including the II Marine Expeditionary Force. Over 20 years, the failure to properly maintain a safe water supply at Camp Lejeune resulted in water contamination with high levels of TCE, PCE, and other chemicals. Paul J. A recent federal law made it easier for those stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and dealing with certain health issues to sue. Ron helped me find a clear path that ended with my foot healing and a settlement that was much more than I hope for. Camp Lejeune, a military base in North Carolina, has been facing an alarming water contamination issue that has affected the health of many individuals living on or near the base. TRICARE Supplement? You served, lived, or worked on the Camp Lejeune base for at least one month between 1953 and 1987. The Navy JAG Tort Claims Unit has received thousands of Camp Lejeune administrative claims since the CLJA was passed in August. Other injuries include: To this day, Camp Lejeune is an essential military base that defends our country. A judge has granted an extension on filing individual answers until May 31, 2023. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act lists who has the opportunity to file a lawsuit. I understand that submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship. If this pace continues, we will see about 1,500 new Camp Lejeune civil cases filed each month, which would give us over 12,000 by the end of the year. National Guard members, and family members, are encouraged to seek support and file claims if they meet the eligibility criteria and have developed one or more of . February 13, 2023 Update Litigation Kickoff. The question remains how the DOJ and the court plan to handle the massive flood of Camp Lejeune cases that will require just a ton of work for everyone. A total of 112 cases have now been filed under the CLJA since the 6-month administrative claim deadline expired four days ago. People who lived and worked at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina from 1953 to 1987 are filing Camp Lejeune lawsuits against the U.S. government for compensation because of cancer and other medical problems they developed after exposure to contaminated water at the base. A rapidly growing number of Camp Lejeune lawsuits have been filed over the past two months, since each claimant had to wait 180 days after notifying the U.S . . The CBO subsequently issued another report which revised its estimate for how much the CLJA claims would cost. The government filed identical motions to dismiss all Camp Lejeune legacy cases in which the plaintiffs filed suit without resubmitting a claim to JAG first. Two types of tort claims can be brought in North Carolina on behalf of a decedent: (a) a wrongful death claim; and (b) a survivorship claim. March 27, 2023 Update JAG Mentions Settlement. Under equipoise, however, the contaminated water could be at least as likely as the cigarettes to be the cause. What is holding up the process right now is the development of an online electronic claim portal to enable claimants to submit supporting documentation for their claims. Call (800) 995-1212 or get a free case review today to learn more before the August 2024 deadline. This includes VA benefits related to Camp Lejeune. Depending on injuries suffered, conditions diagnosed, and evidence available, individual settlement amounts for exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune could be significant. Because the larger our voice is, the greater our impact will be. Claimants who file a lawsuit under the CLJA would need to prove that they were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and that they subsequently developed one of the cancer types or other health conditions that have been linked to the water contamination. During those 30 years, 750,000 people were exposed to contaminated water. You have been subsequently diagnosed with: bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, leukemia, colon cancer, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, or other cancer or Parkinsons disease, some other neurologic condition, or another condition listed above. Under normal circumstances, the response time for service record requests is 3-5 months. SBP OPEN SEASON: Join us May 3 for all you need to know about the Survivor Benefit Plan. These requirements apply to Veterans, Reservists, and National Guard members. Between August 1953 and December 1987, service members and their families stationed at Camp . These scientific studies concluded that maternal exposure to contaminated water a Camp Lejeune resulted in a significantly higher rate of neural tube congenital disabilities such as spina bifida. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. North Carolina only allows survivor claims by the personal representative of the decedents estate. Only a tiny handful of the legacy cases remain pending with a 3rd judge, and they will likely be rejected on the same basis very soon. Why? From 1953 to 1987, the water supply at the Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was contaminated with dangerously high levels of carcinogenic chemicals. A survival claim is the decedents own personal injury claim that they had and which survives their death. First, the intent of Congress in passing the CLJA was to compensate victims of the water contamination at Camp Lejeune. The Eastern District of North Carolina is now averaging over 20 new Camp Lejeune filings every day. The new law includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, which allows Marine veterans and family members to pursue financial compensation and settlements for injuries caused by exposure to toxic water at the military base. This law allows lawsuits for appropriate relief for harm caused by exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. You may see or hear commercials for lawyers or law firms who claim they can help you get Camp Lejeune benefits. This is how the law was written to make it easier for veterans to make a claim. But shutting down the wells did not change anything for the million people exposed to this unbelievably contaminated water. The Camp Lejeune lawsuits claim the Camp Lejeune military base contained highly contaminated and toxic industrial chemicals in its water supply that could cause cancer and other illnesses. In July 1984, a new laboratory was contracted to test the water at Lejeune as part of the EPA superfund program. If the court awards you relief under this law (or if a court awarded relief in the past), this wont affect the amount of your VA disability payments or your eligibility for VA health care. It also nearly doubles the total number of CLJA civil cases pending. When you visit the NARAs Military Service Records webpage, a new highlight box appears at the top entitled Important Notice Regarding the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022., The text in the box notes that the Navy JAG does not require service records to support an initial claim but may request records from claimants at a later date.. A month later, in August 1982, another Grainger chemist sent a letter to the Camp Lejeune base commander (Marine Maj. General D.J. Since Feb. 10, court records show that 105 lawsuits brought under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act have been filed in North Carolina federal court. December 1, 2022 New Report on the Number of Camp Lejeune Claims. November 28, 2022 JAG Getting Closer to Processing Claims? But we now have something close. Camp Lejeune: Hodgkin's lymphoma claims. Some states permit any close family member to bring wrongful death claims, and North Carolina only allows the decedents estate to bring these claims. The result will be a large number of Camp Lejeune birth defect lawsuits. This testing revealed that Camp Lejeunes water supply contained high levels of chemicals that are known to be toxic and linked to cancer. As Camp Lejeune claims and lawsuits are filed, many victims are asking about potential compensation in Camp Lejeune contaminated water cases. But the USMC official refused to address the issue. The TV advertising expenditure on Lejeune was more than double the amount spent on any other mass tort during the same period. Will victims have to open an estate in North Carolina to bring a claim? In addition to wrongful death, North Carolina also recognizes a separate claim under North Carolina Gen. Stat. It has now been almost eight months since the CLJA was passed. We explain more in our December 29, 2022, update below. There is not a Camp Lejeune class action lawsuit. In just five days last week, 179 new Camp Lejeune civil lawsuits were filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina. TCE is also used to make refrigerants. Your military records that show you served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 days total betweenAugust 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, Medical records that showyou have 1 or more of the 8 Camp Lejeune presumptive conditions. If a claim is denied, victims have the right to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. These are LOW settlement compensation estimates. The contamination was a result of improper disposal practices, which led to the release of these chemicals into the groundwater, This eventually spread to wells that provided drinking water for residents living on base. Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Criteria includes, but is not limited to: WHAT IF A POTENTIAL CLAIMANT DIED AS A RESULT OF WATER CONTAMINATION AT CAMP LEJEUNE? Filing a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit. Moreover, the legislative intent of Congress is clearly to compensate victims fairly. January 24, 2023 Update Lack of Progress. During a recent status conference, U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III discussed the possibility of establishing a master docket and assigning plaintiffs attorneys to certain leadership positions just like you see in an ordinary MDL class action lawsuit. Victims in the Camp Lejeune litigation are smart. In 2005, the EPA and the Department of Justice launched a formal investigation into the USMCs handling of the Camp Lejeune water contamination issue. We want to avoid giving the JAG a technical reason to reject an early settlement of your claim. So all of these claimants can now bring a civil case in the Eastern District of North Carolina. We dont have any connection to these commercials or the lawyers or law firms involved.