Lawsuit Update Center
From the early 1950s to the late 1980s, the Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina provided residents and employees with drinking water heavily contaminated with toxic chemicals.
Extensive scientific research has revealed that the poisoned water supply at Camp Lejeune had a devastating impact on the long-term health of base residents, who have suffered significantly higher rates of birth defects, cancer, and neurological conditions.
Our lawyers are not taking new clients in this litigation. This page provides the latest updates on the Camp Lejeune litigation and addresses some of your key questions as this litigation drags on.
The Latest Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update
JUNE 2025
Settlement Mediation on Tap (June 26 Update)
The court-appointed Settlement Masters filed their second status report in the Camp Lejeune water litigation, and, if you are an optimist, it reads like progress. After months of procedural throat-clearing, the Department of Justice has agreed on a path forward: a structured questionnaire for claimants, targeted mediations for select cases, and a global settlement matrix in development.
The current plan has two moving pieces. First, a random sample of claimants will complete detailed questionnaires about their medical history and exposure. These responses are not just paperwork. They will serve as the empirical spine for a larger matrix that assigns settlement amounts to common injuries linked to Camp Lejeune’s toxic water.
Second, 25 bellwether cases involving six signature illnesses, leukemia (both types), bladder and kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Parkinson’s, will be mediated in groups starting in late July. These are not trials. They are settlement negotiations designed to reveal what the government is willing to pay and identify the areas where the biggest fault lines lie.
If all goes according to plan, and that is a massive “if,” given how slowly this train has moved, negotiations on the master settlement matrix will begin after the mediations conclude in August. The goal is to have a working framework in place before the end of 2025. For the thousands of veterans and families still waiting, this is at least a sign that the gears are turning.
If you’re not bouncing off the walls at this news, it’s understandable. It is hard to cheer too loudly when the most vulnerable people in the country have been waiting this long for a spreadsheet. It took decades of denial, lawsuits, and federal legislation to get to this point, and now everyone’s excited about a form and a few meetings? That is a fair reaction. But this is real progress in mass tort litigation.
Case Volume
As of June 2, 2025, a total of 2,992 Camp Lejeune lawsuits have been filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina. The litigation continues to expand steadily as more claimants opt to bypass the administrative process and file directly in federal court.
Government’s Offset Strategy Grows More Aggressive
The Department of Justice is doubling down on its annoying strategy to reduce payouts by pushing for broad offsets tied to VA benefits, Medicare/Medicaid coverage, and other federal healthcare programs. Their argument is that prior or ongoing federal support should lower Camp Lejeune settlement awards.
Plaintiffs strongly oppose this position for tons of reasons. First, most of these benefits were not duplicative or related to the toxic exposures at Camp Lejeune.So any offsets should only be considered after a damages award, not before, which is how this works. The DOJ should not be using fundamental healthcare access that vets and their families earned as a weapon to discount liability.
Elective Option Settlements Still Moving Slowly
Roughly 137,000 claims submitted under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act include at least one supporting document. (We remain convinced that many of these registered plaintiffs will not provide documentation and their cases will be dismissed.) Of those, an estimated 52,000 cases feature injury types that could potentially qualify under the Elective Option settlement pathway
Yet despite this, the pace of meaningful resolution remains disappointingly slow. Plaintiffs’ attorneys report sporadic communication and inconsistent outcomes. Many families are growing frustrated with the lack of transparency and the absence of adequate offers in cases involving serious illness and death.
Trial Momentum Continues Despite Government Obstruction
The Track 1 bellwether litigation—focusing initially on leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma—is moving forward under Judge Dever. However, discovery disputes and procedural gamesmanship continue to bog things down.
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Plaintiffs have submitted rebuttal expert reports for Parkinson’s disease cases (due June 13). Our lawyers think the DOJ is undervaluing the Parkinson’s claims. kl
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Depositions tied to supplemental expert reports are expected in mid-to-late June.
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June 4 marks the deadline for opposition briefs related to summary judgment on Phase I (Contamination).
The DOJ continues to hypocritically miss its own deadlines while demanding total compliance from plaintiffs.
DOJ Expert Challenges Intensify
One flashpoint is the motion to exclude hydrogeologist Alexandros Spiliotopoulos, a DOJ expert attacking the ATSDR’s groundwater modeling.
Spiliotopoulos lacks credentials, litigation experience, and any peer-reviewed support for his opinions. His critiques are not grounded in recognized scientific methodology, and much of his report is simply a repetition of other experts’ opinions.
The motion argues that his testimony represents litigation spin, not science, and fails every reliability test under Daubert and Federal Rule of Evidence 702. The court’s ruling on this issue could have far-reaching implications for how expert evidence is treated in the future.
Government’s Conduct Under Scrutiny
The broader pattern of delays, limited access, and inconsistent application of rules is fueling concern that the DOJ is treating this like a corporate defense playbook rather than an effort to compensate injured veterans and families in good faith.
Recent example: A Track 1 plaintiff was diagnosed with bladder cancer after expert disclosures were submitted. Plaintiffs’ attorneys moved quickly to update medical records, but the DOJ attempted to freeze deadlines and block updated evidence, despite the evolving nature of the illness.
Bottom Line
The Camp Lejeune litigation is approaching a critical phase. With nearly 3,000 lawsuits filed and bellwether trials on the horizon, pressure is mounting on the DOJ to resolve cases fairly. Plaintiffs’ lawyers continue to push for science-based rulings, equal treatment, and transparent negotiations. But for now, the fight continues.
When should we expect a Camp Lejeune settlement? Who knows? But our prediction would be that there will be large blocks of cases settled at the end of this year or early next year.
What the June 2025 Status Report Update Tells Us
The June 2025 Joint Status Report shed light on several key sticking points in the Camp Lejeune litigation. Perhaps most notably, it confirmed what many already suspected: the Elective Option program is not resolving claims at a pace or level that reflects the severity of the underlying injuries. Despite over 137,000 administrative claims being submitted, only a fraction—approximately 52,000—are potentially eligible for early resolution, and far fewer have actually received settlements.
On the litigation front, pretrial maneuvering continues with mounting tension. Again, there is frustration with how the DOJ is handling these cases. Plaintiffs are pushing to expand the scope of discovery and ensure that evolving medical conditions—such as newly diagnosed cancers—are not excluded due to arbitrary deadlines. The DOJ, meanwhile, is doubling down on procedural rigidity, resisting supplemental expert input and clinging to its offset strategy, which seeks to reduce payout obligations by deducting VA and Medicare benefits.
The latest update also signals increased friction around the upcoming bellwether trials. The parties remain sharply divided over admissibility standards and expert testimony related to the contamination period, particularly in light of motions to strike the government’s unreliable expert opinions.
Camp Lejeune Military Base
The U.S. Marine Corps base and training facility at Camp Lejeune is one of the largest military installations in the country. Covering an area of 151,000 acres at the mouth of the New River on the Carolina coast, Camp Lejeune is currently home to the Marine Special Operations Command and the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force.
Lejeune has been a base of operations and barracks for the US Marine Corps (USMC) since 1942. The base features two residential areas, one of which includes on-site military housing (including housing for officers with families) for longer-term residents, and the other includes barracks for short-term assignments. Daycares, schools, and recreational facilities support these residential accommodations. There is also a hospital and dental center on the base.
Lejeune is home to roughly 40,000 active-duty personnel and 50,000 dependents at any given time. It is estimated that between 1950 and 1990, over 1 million people lived or worked on the grounds at Camp Lejeune. This population was relatively young and mostly male. Approximately 60% of the Lejeune personnel and dependents were between 15 and 25 years old, and 75% were male.
Camp Lejeune Lawsuit: Settlement Updates & Key Information for 2025
What is the current status of the Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
How many Camp Lejeune claims have been filed?
Has anyone received a Camp Lejeune settlement?
When will the Camp Lejeune lawsuit be settled?
What are the expected Camp Lejeune settlement amounts?
The highest Camp Lejeune settlement amounts are expected to go to cancer victims, their families, and individuals with Parkinson’s disease claims. We estimated that settlements for Parkinson’s disease cases could range between $1 million and $1.5 million per claimant. However, the actual payouts under the Elective Option have fallen short of those projections. Additionally, the (hopefully temporary) loss of the right to a jury trial has likely lowered the overall expected settlement averages. Although our initial estimates may have been overly optimistic, our attorneys still anticipate that some claimants will receive compensation offers approaching seven figures. But we will see.
Settlement amounts will vary significantly from case to case. Rather than a flat payout for all claimants, the compensation structure will likely involve a complex point-based system that accounts for various factors, ensuring that those who have suffered the most receive higher settlement amounts.
How can I check the status of my Camp Lejeune claim?
What illnesses qualify for Camp Lejeune settlements?
The list of qualifying illnesses for Camp Lejeune lawsuits includes several serious and life-threatening conditions that have been scientifically linked to prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals in the base’s water supply. These illnesses primarily stem from exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride—highly toxic substances that contaminated the water at Camp Lejeune for decades.
The conditions that may qualify for compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) and related settlement programs include:
Cancers Linked to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
- Leukemia – This cancer affects the blood and bone marrow and has been strongly linked to benzene exposure, a key contaminant found in the water at Camp Lejeune.
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – A cancer of the lymphatic system, often connected to exposure to industrial solvents and chemicals like TCE and PCE.
- Bladder Cancer – Studies have shown that exposure to TCE and PCE increases the risk of bladder cancer, particularly among individuals with prolonged exposure.
- Kidney Cancer – Strongly associated with TCE exposure, kidney cancer is one of the most common diagnoses among veterans and residents exposed to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water.
- Liver Cancer – The liver processes toxins in the body, making it especially vulnerable to damage from chemicals like vinyl chloride and benzene.
Neurological Disorders
- Parkinson’s Disease – One of the most widely studied conditions related to Camp Lejeune water exposure, Parkinson’s disease has been linked to prolonged exposure to TCE and other solvents, which damage dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s after living or working at Camp Lejeune may qualify for significant compensation.
Other Life-Threatening or Debilitating Conditions
- Multiple Myeloma – A cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow, associated with benzene exposure.
- Esophageal Cancer – Linked to chronic exposure to solvents and industrial chemicals like those found at Camp Lejeune.
- Breast Cancer – While commonly associated with genetic factors, research suggests that environmental toxins, such as those in the Camp Lejeune water supply, may contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer in both men and women.
- Lung Cancer – Smoking is a significant risk factor, but chemical exposure, particularly to benzene and vinyl chloride, has also been linked to lung cancer development.
- Hepatic Steatosis (Fatty Liver Disease) – Linked to exposure to industrial solvents and chemical toxins that affect liver function.
Birth Defects and Conditions Affecting Children
- Neural Tube Defects – These birth defects affect the brain and spinal cord and have been linked to maternal exposure to toxic chemicals during pregnancy.
- Cardiac Birth Defects – Studies have shown a correlation between exposure to TCE and congenital heart defects in newborns.
- Low Birth Weight & Miscarriages – Exposure to harmful chemicals during pregnancy has been associated with a higher risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight.
Autoimmune Disorders and Other Health Conditions
- Aplastic Anemia & Other Bone Marrow Disorders – Conditions where the body fails to produce enough new blood cells, often linked to benzene exposure.
- Scleroderma – A chronic autoimmune disease affecting the skin and connective tissues, associated with exposure to industrial solvents.
- Renal Toxicity – Chronic kidney disease and other renal dysfunctions have been linked to exposure to TCE and PCE.
What is the latest update on Camp Lejeune bellwether trials?
Are Camp Lejeune settlements taxable?
What should claimants do while waiting for a settlement?
Camp Lejeune’s Poisoned Water Supply
The residential areas at Camp Lejeune are serviced with drinking water by two water-supply systems: (1) the Hadnot Point Water System and (2) the Tarawa Terrance Water System. Both of these systems used a series of water-supply wells to collect groundwater, which was pumped to a treatment plant and then delivered to the base.
In the early 1980s, new federal environmental laws and regulations were enacted, requiring the Marine Corps to test the drinking water supply at Lejeune. This initial testing revealed, for the first time, that both of the residential water supply systems at Lejeune were delivering drinking water with critically high levels of harmful chemicals.
It was determined that water at Lejeune contained 3 harmful chemicals: Trichloroethylene (TCE), Perchloroethylene (PCE), Perchloroethylene (PCE), and benzene. The polluted water at Camp Lejeune served the heart of the base’s residential areas, including family housing, schools, barracks, administrative offices, and the base hospital.
When the water contamination was the first discovery at Lejeune, the findings were reported to the USMC officers in positions of authority at the base. However, these reports were ignored, and the USMC took no immediate action to address the water issue. It would not be until several years later that the contaminated water supply was addressed.
Chemicals in the Lejeune Water Supply
The early testing results of the water supply at Camp Lejeune identified over 70 chemicals at more than 240 to 3400 times the maximum safe levels set by health agencies. Among these were 3 specific industrial chemicals that are known to be very harmful to the human body:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE): TCE is a strong metal degreaser and solvent widely used for cleaning ordnance, weapons, military equipment, and machinery.
- Perchloroethylene (PCE): PCE is another chemical cleaning solvent mainly used for dry cleaning garments.
- Benzene: Benzene is a natural component of crude oil with several commercial applications.
The PCE contamination in one of the water supply wells at Lejeune was caused by a commercial dry-cleaning business called ABC One-Hour Cleaners, which operated just off-base near the supply well. The ABC dry cleaner business used PCE in its operations and improperly disposed of it by dumping it out back, which is how it got into the groundwater.
The source of the benzene and TCE contamination was less direct. Both of these chemicals were regularly used on the base for weapon and equipment maintenance, and they were often dumped into the ground or improperly disposed of. Over the years, these chemicals were poured directly into the ground or stored in metal drums that eventually rusted and leaked.
