Important Notice Regarding Claim Support & Current Status
While our firm is no longer accepting new initial claims, we are actively supporting individuals who have already filed claims and need experienced legal representation for the crucial next steps. The Department of Justice has begun processing claims and approving settlements, with 58 settlement offers approved and 42 settlements reached, including initial settlements of $3.75 million awarded to claimants with leukemia.
Critical Deadlines for Claim Processing:
- Initial Review: The most critical phase of Camp Lejeune claims lies ahead – effectively prosecuting your claim to maximize potential compensation
- Government Response: After submission, the Navy has six months to review your claim
- Lawsuit Filing Window: If your claim is denied or receives no response, you have 180 days to file in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Why Legal Representation Matters
Successfully pursuing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit requires extensive legal expertise to navigate the complex federal court system. This process includes preparing formal complaints, managing discovery, presenting scientific and medical evidence, and negotiating with experienced government attorneys. Without proper legal representation, claimants risk missing critical deadlines, failing to present compelling evidence, or potentially receiving reduced compensation.
Our Commitment to Your Case
Our experienced legal team specializes in the intricacies of Camp Lejeune litigation and has a proven track record of successfully navigating these complex cases. We provide comprehensive representation, including gathering compelling documentation, negotiating aggressively for maximum settlements, and when necessary, prosecuting federal lawsuits to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact our office to secure experienced legal representation you need to prosecute your Camp Lejeune claim effectively and maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Understanding Camp Lejeune Claims
The Camp Lejeune water contamination case represents one of the most significant environmental disasters in military history. From 1953 to 1987, service members, their families, and civilian workers were exposed to contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Today, the government has established clear pathways for compensation through both healthcare benefits and legal claims.
Representation for Camp Lejeune Claims in California
To better serve the many veterans who have relocated to the West Coast, we have partnered with trial attorney and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Harry Blalock of Blalock LLC to serve veterans and their families in Southern California. Mr. Blalock personally experienced the contamination at Camp Lejeune before becoming a successful trial attorney with over 40 years of experience. His firm, staffed by military veterans, currently manages over 2,500 Camp Lejeune claims.
Background: The Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Crisis
The water contamination at Camp Lejeune, occurring from 1953 to 1987, represents one of the most significant environmental disasters in military history. The toxic water supply affected service members, their families, civilian workers, and others who lived or worked at the base. While many exposed individuals have relocated throughout the United States, a significant number now reside in Southern California, home to several major Marine Corps installations including Camp Pendleton, Air Station Miramar, and the Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms.
Eligibility Requirements and Documentation
To establish eligibility under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, claimants must demonstrate residence or employment at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, exposure to the contaminated water during this period, and development of qualifying health conditions scientifically linked to the exposure.
Sources and Extent of Contamination
The contamination primarily affected two crucial water treatment plants at Camp Lejeune: Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point. Three primary sources contributed to this environmental disaster, each introducing distinct toxic compounds into the base’s water supply.
First, ABC One-Hour Cleaners, a private dry-cleaning business near the base, improperly stored and disposed of perchloroethylene (PCE) from 1964 to 1987. This toxic solvent contaminated the Tarawa Terrace water treatment plant, leading to the area’s designation as a U.S. Superfund Site in the late 1980s.
Second, defective underground storage tanks leaked approximately 1,500 gallons of gasoline monthly, creating a substantial fuel reservoir directly above the base’s water supply. This gasoline contained several harmful compounds, including benzene, toluene, and lead.
Third, improper disposal of chemical solvents used for weapons and machinery maintenance, particularly trichloroethylene (TCE), further compromised the water system. While multiple treatment plants served Camp Lejeune, the contaminated Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point facilities supplied water to most barracks, family housing units, hospitals, and schools.
Water testing conducted in 1982 at the Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point treatment plants revealed alarming levels of several toxic compounds. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) determined that contamination levels began exceeding maximum allowable limits as early as 1953 and persisted until the water supply wells were closed in 1985.
Documented Impact and Exposure Levels
Government investigations estimate that approximately one million Marines, civilian workers, and their families were exposed to these contaminated water sources without their knowledge. This extended period of exposure, spanning from August 1953 to December 1987, has significant implications for both healthcare considerations and legal claims.
Health Conditions Linked to Exposure
Studies have established clear connections between prolonged exposure to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water and numerous serious health conditions. The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes several presumptive conditions for both healthcare and disability compensation purposes, based on extensive research into the effects of volatile organic compounds like TCE and PCE.
VA-Recognized Presumptive Conditions
For disability compensation purposes, the VA has established a presumptive service connection for eight specific conditions: adult leukemia, aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions have demonstrated the strongest scientific link to the water contamination.
Additional Qualifying Health Conditions
The Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 expanded coverage to include several additional health conditions with established connections to the contamination. These include esophageal cancer, breast cancer, renal toxicity, female infertility, miscarriage, scleroderma, lung cancer, and hepatic steatosis.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) continues to conduct comprehensive health studies and assessments related to the Camp Lejeune water contamination. This research, ongoing since 1993, provides crucial evidence supporting the connection between exposure and specific health conditions.
Legal Framework and Legislation
Two significant pieces of legislation form the foundation for addressing the Camp Lejeune water contamination: the Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 and the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. These laws establish both healthcare benefits and legal remedies for affected individuals.
The Camp Lejeune Families Act (2012)
Signed into law on August 6, 2012, this Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide comprehensive healthcare to veterans and family members exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The legislation covers specific medical conditions linked to the contamination and includes provisions for reimbursing eligible family members for qualifying healthcare expenses.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (2022)
This landmark legislation, signed into law as part of the Honoring Our PACT Act, creates a clear legal pathway for affected individuals to seek compensation. The Act allows veterans, family members, and civilian workers who spent at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, to pursue claims for harm caused by the contaminated water.
The Claims Process: From Filing to Resolution
The path to compensation for Camp Lejeune water contamination involves a structured legal process that begins with an administrative claim and may proceed to federal court. For claimants who filed without legal representation, understanding these next steps is crucial for protecting their rights to compensation.
All claims must first go through the Department of the Navy’s Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Tort Claims Unit (TCU). If you’ve already filed an administrative claim without legal representation, the next phase requires careful attention to detail and legal expertise. The government has **six months** to review your claim and make a determination.
During the review process, the Department of the Navy evaluates the validity of each claim and determines whether to offer a settlement, make a partial settlement offer, or deny the claim. If no response is received within six months of filing, claimants have the right to proceed with a federal lawsuit.
Federal Court Litigation Procedures
All Camp Lejeune lawsuits must be filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina under the consolidated proceeding *In re Camp Lejeune Water Litigation*, case no. 7:23-cv-897. Four specific judges within the Eastern District have been assigned to oversee these cases.
For claimants who filed their administrative claims without an attorney, the federal court phase presents significant challenges. The litigation process requires extensive legal knowledge, including:
- Understanding complex federal court procedures
- Gathering and presenting scientific evidence
- Meeting strict filing deadlines
- Negotiating with government attorneys
- Preparing for potential trial proceedings
Legal Support for Existing Claims
While many individuals initially filed Camp Lejeune claims without legal representation, the most challenging and complex phase of the process lies ahead. Successfully pursuing your claim through the federal court system requires extensive knowledge of both the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and federal litigation procedures.
Our legal team specializes in navigating the intricate requirements of Camp Lejeune cases and maximizing compensation for our clients. For those who have already filed administrative claims, we provide comprehensive support through:
- Case evaluation and strategy development
- Evidence gathering and presentation
- Settlement negotiations with government attorneys
- Federal court litigation when necessary
Special Considerations for Family Claims
If you’re pursuing a claim on behalf of a deceased family member who was exposed at Camp Lejeune, additional documentation and legal procedures are required. Our experienced attorneys can help ensure all necessary paperwork is properly prepared and filed.
Contact Information
For individuals who have already filed administrative claims and need assistance with the next steps in their Camp Lejeune case, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with our experienced legal team.