From August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, the water at Camp Lejeune – the United States Marine Corps base located near Jacksonville, North Carolina – was contaminated with toxic chemicals including trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride (VC) and benzene. During that 34 year period, innocent Marines, military families and civilians who lived and worked on base drank and bathed in the poisoned water. It’s estimated that more than one million people have suffered various illnesses as a result of their exposure to the chemicals.

In August of 2022, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 went into effect, finally giving these individuals and their families - many of whom suffered from various cancers - an opportunity to seek justice.

Our law firm is here to serve the Marines, their families, and the many civilians who spent years serving our country at Camp Lejeune. Whether you, your spouse, your children, your parent, or someone you care about has experienced an injury or illness due to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune, we are here to help. For more information, contact us at (803) 790-2800 or fill out this form, so our South Carolina personal injury attorney can immediately begin assessing the connection between the poisoned water and your illness/injury.

Who Qualifies for a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit? camp lejueune image

Men, women, children, and unborn children who lived, worked, and were exposed to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987 and who are able to connect their illness and/or injuries to the toxic water may file a claim.

Illnesses that are currently linked to Camp Lejeune’s water include:

  • Adult Leukemia
  • Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Bladder cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Breast cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Female infertility
  • Hepatic steatosis
  • Lung Cancer
  • Miscarriage
  • Neurobehavioral effects (like Parkinson’s Disease and ALS)
  • Renal Toxicity
  • Sclerodoma

How Long Do I Have to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 was signed on August 10, 2022. Claimants have two years - until August 10, 2024 - to begin the claims process, which starts with the submission of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) Claims Form.

Once the two-year deadline passes, those affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune will no longer have a way to seek justice for the harm they’ve experienced. To see if you are eligible, fill out this form here, and our team will immediately begin assessing your claim.

Camp Lejeune Claims and Lawsuit Process

The process for filing a claim is pretty straightforward if you hire a qualified lawyer to help move your case forward. The below steps provide a general outline of how your case will progress.Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Process

  1. Contact Our Camp Lejeune Attorneys by Submitting the Form on this Page

The information you provide in the form will allow us to determine if you or your loved one are eligible to receive compensation for the harm you’ve experienced because of exposure to the toxic chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s water. Once we receive the form, we will immediately begin assessing your claim and will be in touch promptly to learn more about you and your possible case. If we are the right firm to represent you, we will sign a representation agreement and begin the claims process. We take pride in our client service. From this moment forward, rest easy knowing that we have your back and will handle everything for your case to help you seek justice.

  1. Developing Your Claim

The first step our legal team must take to start your claim is to submit an CLJA Claims Form on your behalf. We will begin gathering medical records, obtaining documentation that proves you were at Camp Lejeune during the qualifying period for at least 30 days, and establishing the damages that will determine the value of your case. We will submit the completed form to the claims processing center and await their response.

  1. Claims Processing Center

According to the current legislation, the processing center will have 180 days to respond to the claim we submitted. There are likely two different ways they can respond to the claim:

  1. Contact, negotiate, and resolve.

In some cases, we expect the settlement process will be rather straightforward. The adjusters will respond to the claim with a settlement offer. Our attorneys will handle the negotiations to help you receive full, fair compensation.

  1. Rejection.

We suspect that many cases will not resolve quickly, and the processing center may respond by rejecting your claim. An adjuster may contact our firm directly to reject your claim or they may choose not to respond at all - which would also qualify as a rejection. If your claim is rejected, our team will move forward by filing a lawsuit on your behalf.

  1. Filing a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

If your initial claim is rejected, our team will file a lawsuit seeking compensation for the harm caused by your exposure to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water. We take great pride in our team’s ability to learn the human story behind your diagnosis and how it has affected you, your life, and your family.

Our team will work to resolve your case by:

  • Working with experts to further prove the connection between your illness and your exposure to the toxic chemicals found in Camp Lejeune’s water;
  • Interviewing your family, friends, co-workers, and other witnesses that can help us - and a jury - better understand the impact your illness has had on your life;
  • Negotiating with claims adjusters so that you receive a full, fair settlement; and
  • If needed, presenting your case to a jury so they can determine how much compensation you receive after hearing how your life has been changed by the contaminated water.

We are truly honored to have the opportunity to represent Marines, former Marines, military families, and the many civilians that have been harmed by the water at Camp Lejeune. Our firm has deep ties to the military, and we believe that no stone should go unturned in the fight for justice for those impacted by the catastrophic failure to keep those who spent time at Camp Lejeune safe. We believe that every person affected should be made whole in the eyes of the law for every harm they have endured. It is a privilege to help you and your loved ones seek justice.

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Timeline - How Long Will It Take?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 was just signed on August 10, 2022, which means we are still in the very early stages of the litigation process. That said, it is difficult to predict how long these cases will take to resolve after filing a lawsuit.

The timeline may likely be affected by changes in legislation as well as the total number of lawsuits filed. If there are thousands of cases on the docket, the process could take considerably longer. Rest assured that whether your case takes one year or five years, our team will be there to help, guide, and advocate for you every step of the way.

What are the Attorney Fees to File a Claim for Camp Lejeune?

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay anything unless we recover money for you.

Contact Our Camp Lejeune Attorneys to Get Started Today

If you, your family member, or a loved one have suffered an injury or illness after being exposed to the toxic chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s water, we are here to help you. Fill out the form on this page or call our office at (803) 790-2800, so we can determine the next best steps for your claim. We are very sorry for what you are going through and look forward to helping you.

Kenneth Berger
Connect with me
Columbia and Myrtle Beach car accident and personal injury lawyer dedicated to securing justice for clients.