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If you lived or worked near Camp Lejeune and developed Kidney Cancer, Liver Cancer, Parkinson's Disease or Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, you may be entitled to compensation.
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A key dispute has emerged in the Camp Lejeune litigation over a document used during a government expert’s deposition. Plaintiffs argue the document was not designated as privileged and challenge the Department of Justice’s post-deposition assertion of privilege. They have requested in camera review, disputing any protection under the work product doctrine. The issue reflects broader discovery challenges, including government resistance to disclosing expert-related information. With the Elective Option seen as inadequate by many, full trials may be necessary. Nearly 2,900 lawsuits are pending, and the court will now determine whether the disputed document may be used at trial.
Plaintiffs in the Camp Lejeune case have moved to block the government from using evidence tied to a February 2025 site visit by geochemist Dr. Remy Hennet. The visit occurred two months after expert disclosures were due and after plaintiffs submitted rebuttals. Plaintiffs argue that Dr. Hennet collected new data, photos, and interviews without notice, violating court scheduling orders. They seek to exclude all related materials, citing unfair advantage and procedural misconduct. The court’s forthcoming decision could significantly impact the admissibility of expert testimony and evidence in the upcoming Track 1 trials.
Track 1 cases involving leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are assigned to Judge Dever, with plans to form trial-ready subgroups. Approximately 6,000 claims are under Elective Option review. Expert discovery across Phases I–III is nearly complete, but disputes persist following a late government site visit and denied equal access for plaintiffs’ experts. Plaintiffs face continued demands for supplemental disclosures. A new plaintiff diagnosis has prompted efforts to update expert reports, raising scheduling concerns. The government’s Phase III expert disclosures are due April 8. Trial preparations continue as the court prepares to resolve several procedural and evidentiary disputes.
Settlement discussions are ongoing as the Settlement Masters continue meeting with the Department of Justice and the Plaintiffs’ Leadership Group. While litigation progresses, efforts to establish a potential global settlement remain active. A questionnaire will be sent to 2,500 randomly selected claimants to help assess claim valuation, and bellwether mediations are expected to begin by summer. Discussions on a settlement matrix, which would determine compensation based on injury severity and causation, are still in progress. A structured settlement process is targeted for late 2025, but individual payouts will not happen immediately. The next hearing on March 25 will address trial scheduling, litigation updates, and settlement efforts.
The Camp Lejeune Lawsuit has been in the news and social media for years. The focus of the lawsuit is contaminated drinking water at the U.S. Marine Core Base Camp Lejeune. The contamination has harmed generations of people and put them at a higher risk of developing serious illnesses and cancer. Two of the wells at the camp were contaminated with extremely harmful substances. These wells supplied water to hundreds of thousands of people. The individuals harmed by the contamination include military families, daycare and school-aged children, service members, and hospital patients.
Those affected by the Camp Lejeune water contamination have experienced numerous illnesses, and permanent disabilities. People who worked and lived in Camp Lejeune had no idea they were being exposed to harmful chemicals through their drinking water. Victims could did not have a way to seek recourse for decades, but that has recently changed. Medical care was approved for all Veterans with specific medical conditions back in 2012, as more and more plaintiffs are coming forward to seek help.
If you or someone you love spent time at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, and are now facing serious health issues, the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 may offer much-needed support and access to justice. This groundbreaking legislation significantly expands benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service, and the Camp Lejeune contaminated water supply falls right within its scope.
Under the PACT Act, you may be eligible for presumptive compensation for various health conditions linked to Camp Lejeune's contaminated water, including kidney cancer, Parkinson's disease, and more. This means the burden of proving the connection between your illness and your service is eased, significantly streamlining the process of obtaining vital healthcare and disability benefits from the VA. Additionally, the PACT Act opens the door for legal action against those responsible for the contamination, potentially allowing you to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain, and suffering.
Whether you're directly navigating the complexities of your own health struggles or supporting a loved one, this comprehensive legislation offers a beacon of hope. Don't hesitate to explore your options under the PACT Act.
Certain eligibility criteria must be met before submitting an application. Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to pre-qualify for the Camp Lejeune water lawsuit. Many veterans may file a VA request for disability, as well as a Camp Lejeune lawsuit. Here are the eligibility requirements to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit:
If you meet the above requirements, you may be entitled to compensation. We encourage you to seek legal advice to determine your eligibility. Various factors impact eligibility, and all cases are unique.
Several diagnoses can help you pre-qualify for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit. You must have been diagnosed with one of the pre-qualifying conditions, which include but are not limited to:
You must be able to prove your diagnosis through medical records and other documents. While you may have been exposed to harmful chemicals in your drinking water decades ago, you may still have medical issues today. Many of the listed illnesses and diseases take years to manifest.
Calculating Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts can feel like an overwhelming process, but the voluntary elective option offers a unique pathway for swifter resolution for certain illnesses. If you've been diagnosed with Tier 1 (kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia, or bladder cancer) or Tier 2 (multiple myeloma, Parkinson's disease, end-stage renal disease, or systemic sclerosis) conditions before August 10, 2022, and spent at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, you may be able to directly submit your application under the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022.
By opting into the program, you bypass the traditional lawsuit route and submit your application to the Department of the Navy. They'll assess your illness, any potential risk of Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure, and provide evidence. If eligible, you'll receive a predetermined settlement amount based on your illness tier and time spent at Camp Lejeune. The biggest advantage? Speed. While litigation can drag on for years, the elective option offers potential compensation within a shorter time frame.
However, like any choice, there are nuances to consider. Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts tend to be lower than potential lawsuit awards, and choosing this path prevents any future legal action related to your illness. Carefully weighing the advantages – guaranteed, quicker compensation, and reduced legal burden – against the drawbacks is crucial.
To make an informed decision, consulting with a lawyer working on the Camp Lejeune lawsuit is highly recommended. They can analyze your specific situation, explain the intricacies of both the elective option and traditional litigation, and guide you toward the path that best fits your needs and goals. Remember, the deadline for this option is still under review, so timely action is key.
Filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit will NOT jeopardize your VA benefits, either now or in the future, which is crucial for veterans concerned about the repercussions of pursuing legal action. This assurance comes from understanding two key points: First, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the legal court system operate independently, so engaging in one does not affect your standing in the other. Secondly, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 clearly states that initiating a lawsuit won't result in a reduction or elimination of any VA benefits.
However, it's worth noting that if you receive compensation from the Camp Lejeune water lawsuit, the VA might adjust your disability benefits accordingly, but this only applies to certain benefits directly linked to your condition related to Camp Lejeune. Therefore, you have the option to seek justice and compensation through a lawsuit while also continuing to receive the VA benefits you're entitled to. The decision to pursue both avenues should be based on your personal circumstances and needs.
Pinpointing a single settlement date for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit is like predicting the weather – complex and ever-changing. Applications are rolling in (over 15,000 so far!), trials began on March 2024, and negotiations take time. While the first individual payout happened in October 2023, expect settlements to trickle in over the years, potentially until 2033 or later. Larger settlements might wait for trial verdicts to set a precedent. To stay in the loop, register with the Camp Lejeune Claims Center, follow reliable legal news, and consider consulting with a lawyer.
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