Camp Lejeune Justice Act

Who is eligible for a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim?

Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA), a person may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim if they:

• Lived, worked or were otherwise exposed to water from Camp Lejeune
• Were exposed at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 and
• Have a diagnosis of a qualifying health issues.
• Family members of people who served may also file Camp Lejeune water contamination claims if they meet the eligibility requirements. 

Anyone who was exposed to toxic drinking water from Camp Lejeune in utero, and the estate of anyone who meets the Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim filing eligibility requirements but is deceased may also file a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim.

Those looking to file a claim must be able to show a causal relationship between their exposure and qualifying health issues.

What health issues from Camp Lejeune water may qualify for a CLJA claim?

The following health issues from Camp Lejeune toxic water exposure may allow an individual to file a CLJA claim:

• Aplastic anemia
• Bladder cancer
• Cardiac birth defects
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Other kidney and end stage renal diseases
• Parkinson's disease
• Systemic scleroderma
• Systemic sclerosis
• Certain other health conditions

Anyone experiencing symptoms of these conditions should speak with their doctor for a medical evaluation. An official diagnosis may be necessary to file a CLJA claim.

A Camp Lejeune lawyer may be able to help you assess if your health condition may qualify you for a CLJA claim or a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.

Contact a Camp Lejeune lawyer

If you or a loved one served, worked or lived at Camp Lejeune between Aug. 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1987, and developed severe health complications, a knowledgeable Camp Lejeune attorney can help you assess your ability to file a claim for compensation. We are available by email, or you can call 866.855.9017 for more information.

Contact a lawyer today

CLJA updates 

As of January 2024, more than 160,000 claims related to toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune had been filed with the Department of the Navy, according to news reports.

To expedite the processing of the claims, the Department of the Navy has worked with the Department of Justice to provide certain claimants with an elective option. This elective option is intended to act as a faster way to provide individuals and their families with a settlement for their health problems.

Some payouts have been made to people who filed claims through the U.S. Navy. Settlements have also been reached to resolve litigation filed by a number of victims, while many other cases are still ongoing. 

How can I file a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022?

People interested in compensation for health issues they believe are connected to exposure to toxic drinking water at Camp Lejeune must first file a claim with the Department of the Navy. To file a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim, a person or their legal representative must complete a digital claim form. The form requests a host of information including:

• Personal information about the claimant
• Veteran or civilian status
• The basis of the injury, including how the person was exposed and the nature of the harm they’ve suffered
• Any property damage they experienced
• Personal injuries or wrongful death suffered

How long does a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim take?

The Department of the Navy has six months (180 days) to decide CLJA claims. 

If your filed claim isn’t resolved within six months of you filing it, you may be able to file a lawsuit for compensation in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

What is the elective option for CLJA claims?

The Department of the Navy worked with the Department of Justice to speed up the processing of certain claims. It is called the elective option. The elective option lets the DON offer certain claimants compensation based on the type of injury they suffered and the amount of time that the person was exposed to water from Camp Lejeune.

For a CLJA elective option settlement offer, the length of time is divided into:

• 30 days to 364 days of exposure
• 1 to 5 years of exposure 
• More than 5 years of exposure

Injuries are divided into Tier 1 and Tier 2, based on the government’s assessment of the seriousness of the injuries.

While the elective option is intended to be fair to all victims, it may be an insufficient payout for some Camp Lejeune toxic water exposure victims and is not available to all claimants. 

When can a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim go to court?

A lawsuit may be filed over a CLJA claim in the Eastern District of North Carolina when:

1. The Department of the Navy fails to respond to a filed administrative claim within six months of submission, or 
2. The filed administrative claim is denied by the Department of the Navy. 

Any lawsuit related to the CLJA must be filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Depending on the circumstances, claimants may be able to reach a settlement related to their Camp Lejeune claim, or they may proceed to trial for resolution.

Frequently asked questions about the Camp Lejeune Act

What is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022?

In 2022, Congress passed the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. Section 804 of this law is known as the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA). It allows sick individuals to file administrative claims for damages related to serious health issues from toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. If a CLJA administrative claim is denied or the DON doesn’t resolve the claims within 180 days of its filing, the claimant may file a lawsuit in federal court.

Is there a Camp Lejeune Justice Act deadline?

Yes, the CLJA deadline is August 9, 2024. The law provides a two-year window to file a claim. CLJA claims not filed by August 9, 2024 will be forever barred.

Denied claimants have 180 days from the date the claim was denied to file their CLJA-related lawsuit in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Failing to file a lawsuit within that time period means that the claims are forever barred.

Do claims under the CLJA impact claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

People filing claims with the Department of Navy under the CLJA may still file claims with the Department of Veteran Affairs. Any awards from a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim should not impact the disability benefits a person receives from the VA.

Are there any scams related to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act?

Unfortunately, yes. Many Camp Lejeune scams targeting potential Camp Lejeune claimants have been reported since Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Scam artists have tried to steal personal information or get victims to pay fees upfront for representation. All Camp Lejeune water exposure victims looking for help with their CLJA claim should consider reaching out directly to reputable, established law firms and lawyers with experience handling toxic exposure claims.

Our history representing veterans

Motley Rice is proud to represent veterans and their families in litigation in which U.S. service men and women were harmed by alleged preventable hazards. We have litigated matters involving:

• Exposure to asbestos and other toxic materials
• 3M earplugs and hearing loss
• EFP roadside bombs manufactured by terrorists 
• Exposure to toxins released from burn pits at military facilities

Our law firm has the experience to file claims, litigate cases, and negotiate settlements as needed for those hurt by toxic water at Camp Lejeune. 

Read more on our work in support of veterans.