What is the current status of the Camp Lejeune lawsuit?

The Camp Lejeune litigation is currently active with 3,700+ pending plaintiffs. Filing trend: No new filings accepted; August 10, 2024 deadline passed.

Has there been a Camp Lejeune settlement?

Elective Option program: ~$530M paid to date; individual settlements $100K-$550K; only ~64,000 of 409,910 administrative claims qualify under strict EO criteria; global settlement framework pending with Settlement Masters developing matrix for 2026 rollout

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Active litigation category25 eventsToxic Exposure

Camp Lejeune

Q: What is the Camp Lejeune lawsuit about?

{"summary":"The Camp Lejeune Justice Act litigation has crossed 3,700 filed lawsuits in the Eastern District of North Carolina as of January 2026, with administrative claims exceeding 546,500 before the August 2024 deadline. The government has resolved only a fraction through its Elective Option fast-track program—150 cases per Navy tally as of August 2024—while broader global settlement negotiati

Q: What is the statute of limitations for Camp Lejeune claims?

{"entries":[{"state":"Federal (E.D.N.C. exclusive venue)","duration":"Administrative claims: 2 years from enactment (closed Aug. 10, 2024); Lawsuits: 180 days from claim denial or constructive denial","rule":"Camp Lejeune Justice Act, Pub. L. No. 117-263, § 804 (2022); 28 U.S.C. § 2675(d) exhaustion required","discoveryRule":"Not applicable; CLJA created fixed filing window, not traditional tort a

Environmental · water-contamination claims connected to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Defendant

United States of America

MDL / Track

See litigation status

E.D.N.C.

Judge

Judges James C. Dever III, Richard E. Myers II, Terrence W. Boyle, Louise W. Flanagan

Plaintiffs

3,700+ pending

Bellwether / Trial

No verdicts yet

Settlement Status

Elective Option program: ~$530M paid to date
individual settlements $100K-$550K
only ~64,000 of 409,910 administrative claims qualify under strict EO criteria
global settlement framework pending with Settlement Masters developing matrix for 2026 rollout

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← Torts Case overview Litigation status Geographic exposure Key defendants Timeline Statute of limitations Live activity News PubMed Court filings Legislative

Case overview

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act litigation has crossed 3,700 filed lawsuits in the Eastern District of North Carolina as of January 2026, with administrative claims exceeding 546,500 before the August 2024 deadline. The government has resolved only a fraction through its Elective Option fast-track program—150 cases per Navy tally as of August 2024—while broader global settlement negotiations continue. First bellwether trials are not expected until late 2026.

Causation Theory

Drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride from 1953 to 1987. A January 2024 CDC/ATSDR cohort study (Bove, medRxiv) found Camp Lejeune Marines and civilian workers had significantly elevated adjusted hazard ratios for multiple cancers compared to Camp Pendleton controls, including leukemias, lymphomas, and cancers of the lung, breast, larynx, esophagus, thyroid, and soft tissues.

Litigation status

Over 3,700 federal lawsuits are pending in the Eastern District of North Carolina before Judges Dever, Myers, Boyle, and Flanagan, with 25 Track 1 bellwether trials (leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, Parkinson's disease) expected in 2026. The government filed 30+ Daubert motions challenging plaintiff expert testimony; rulings expected February-March 2026 will determine trial timing. Settlement Masters appointed in mid-2024 are surveying 2,400 claimants to develop a global settlement matrix, though no framework has been finalized.

Geographic exposure

1,000,000+ persons potentially exposed per ATSDR/DHHS estimates; 546,500+ claims filed; 409,910 administrative claims pending; 3,715 federal lawsuits active. Camp Lejeune Justice Act created largest mass tort administrative claims process in U.S. history—exceeding 3M earplug MDL (~400,000 claims). No MDL; consolidated in E.D.N.C. under CLJA statutory framework.

North Carolina — Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Primary exposure site. 546,500+ administrative claims filed under CLJA; 409,910 remain pending with Navy as of February 2026. Three contaminated water systems: Hadnot Point (TCE primary contaminant, 1953-1985), Tarawa Terrace (PCE from ABC One-Hour Cleaners off-base dry cleaner, 1952-1987), Holcomb Boulevard. 3,715 federal lawsuits pending in E.D.N.C. First bellwether trials scheduled for 2026; kidney cancer cases (23,000+ claimants) prioritized. Elective Option settlements: $450K-$550K for Tier 1 illnesses (bladder cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma); only 64,000 claims qualify under strict 2-35 year latency requirement.
North Carolina — Eastern District of North Carolina
Exclusive venue for CLJA litigation under 28 U.S.C. § 2675. Government filed 30+ Daubert motions February-March 2026 to exclude plaintiff expert witnesses; rulings pending. Dispute over reliance on ATSDR water modeling for causation. Settlement Masters surveying 2,400 claimants to develop payment matrix.
North Carolina — ABC One-Hour Cleaners (off-base, Jacksonville)
Source of PCE contamination for Tarawa Terrace water system. Dry cleaning operation located off-base; contamination migrated to base wells. ATSDR confirmed PCE levels reached 215 ppb in tap water samples.
North Carolina — Hadnot Point Industrial Area
On-base contamination source. Leaking underground storage tanks and waste disposal sites released TCE. Most contaminated wells shut down February 1985. Served Mainside barracks and Hospital Point family housing.
North Carolina — Tarawa Terrace Family Housing/Knox Trailer Park
Residential exposure zone. System operated 1952-1987; shut down March 1987. Served family housing and trailer park population. Contamination duration estimated at 30+ years before 1982 detection.
North Carolina — Holcomb Boulevard Water System
Third contaminated system serving base housing. VOC contamination documented; less severe than Hadnot Point/Tarawa Terrace but included in ATSDR health assessments.
National — Veteran/Military Population
Exposure population: 1 million+ per DHHS/ATSDR estimate (active duty, dependents, civilian employees, contractors). 30-day minimum residency/work requirement for CLJA eligibility. August 10, 2024 administrative filing deadline closed; 180-day lawsuit window open for denied/unresolved claims. SOL strictly enforced—no extensions granted for missed deadline.

Key defendants

United States of America

Role: Sovereign Defendant

Sovereign immunity waived under CLJA §804. Successfully moved to strike jury trial demand (D.E. 51, granted D.E. 133, Jan. 2024). Defense led by DOJ Civil Division. No indemnity exposure; sole defendant in consolidated E.D.N.C. litigation 7:23-cv-00897 before Judges Myers, Boyle, Flanagan, Dever.

Defendant	Role	Intelligence Note
United States of America	Sovereign Defendant	Sovereign immunity waived under CLJA §804. Successfully moved to strike jury trial demand (D.E. 51, granted D.E. 133, Jan. 2024). Defense led by DOJ Civil Division. No indemnity exposure; sole defendant in consolidated E.D.N.C. litigation 7:23-cv-00897 before Judges Myers, Boyle, Flanagan, Dever.

Timeline

1982
Marine Corps Discovers VOC Contamination
Marine Corps testing identifies volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water at Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace water systems. Contaminated wells operated until 1985.
1989
EPA Superfund Designation
EPA lists Camp Lejeune and ABC One-Hour Cleaners as Superfund sites and adds both to the National Priorities List.
2009-07-06
First Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Filed
Laura Jones files first lawsuit against U.S. government for Camp Lejeune water contamination injuries. Navy moves to dismiss on statute of limitations grounds.
2012-08
Janey Ensminger Act Enacted
Congress passes Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, providing VA healthcare benefits to veterans and family members exposed to contaminated water.
2017-01-13
VA Finalizes Presumptive Conditions Rule
VA publishes final rule establishing eight presumptive service-connected conditions for Camp Lejeune veterans. $2.2 billion fund allocated for compensation claims.
2022-08-10
Camp Lejeune Justice Act Signed
President Biden signs Camp Lejeune Justice Act as part of Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022. Creates cause of action for individuals exposed between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. Two-year filing window opens.
2024-03
First Track Bellwether Trials Set
Eastern District of North Carolina schedules initial bellwether trials for first track of Camp Lejeune illnesses. Trials address prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and Parkinson's disease.
2024-08-10
CLJA Filing Deadline Closes
Two-year statutory filing window under Camp Lejeune Justice Act closes. Approximately 500,000 administrative claims and lawsuits filed against U.S. government.

Statute of limitations

CLJA created exclusive federal cause of action, not MDL. All litigation venued in E.D.N.C. per CLJA § 804(b)(1). Exhaustion mandatory: 6-month administrative period or formal denial required before suit. Elective Option (EO) settlement tiers active for pending claims; non-EO claims require causation proof. No legislative extension of Aug. 10, 2024 deadline enacted. Intake operations must verify administrative claim filing date as jurisdictional prerequisite.

Federal (E.D.N.C. exclusive venue)

Administrative claims: 2 years from enactment (closed Aug. 10, 2024); Lawsuits: 180 days from claim denial or constructive denial

Rule: Camp Lejeune Justice Act, Pub. L. No. 117-263, § 804 (2022); 28 U.S.C. § 2675(d) exhaustion required

Discovery: Not applicable; CLJA created fixed filing window, not traditional tort accrual

Administrative claim deadline CLOSED Aug. 10, 2024. Only claimants who timely filed administrative claims may proceed to suit. Lawsuits must be filed in E.D.N.C. per CLJA § 804(b)(1). Elective Option settlement program remains active for pending claims. No revival statute pending.

North Carolina

Preempted by CLJA; original 10-year statute of repose displaced for CLJA claims

Rule: CLJA § 804(a)(2) explicitly overrides N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-50(a)(5) repose

Discovery: N/A

State law repose remains barrier for non-CLJA claims. Intake limited to CLJA-eligible claimants with timely administrative filings.

Florida

Preempted by CLJA for base exposure claims; 4 years general personal injury SOL otherwise

Rule: Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a); CLJA federal cause of action controls

Discovery: N/A for CLJA claims

Large veteran population state. Intake must verify 30-day exposure 8/1/1953-12/31/1987 and timely administrative claim filing by Aug. 10, 2024.

California

Preempted by CLJA for base exposure claims; 2 years personal injury SOL otherwise

Rule: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1; CLJA federal cause of action controls

Discovery: N/A for CLJA claims

Significant veteran population. Same intake requirements: administrative claim filed by Aug. 10, 2024 prerequisite to suit.

Texas

Preempted by CLJA for base exposure claims; 2 years personal injury SOL otherwise

Rule: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003; CLJA federal cause of action controls

Discovery: N/A for CLJA claims

Major veteran population state. Verify administrative claim filing date before accepting for litigation.

State	SOL	Rule	Discovery Rule	Notes
Federal (E.D.N.C. exclusive venue)	Administrative claims: 2 years from enactment (closed Aug. 10, 2024); Lawsuits: 180 days from claim denial or constructive denial	Camp Lejeune Justice Act, Pub. L. No. 117-263, § 804 (2022); 28 U.S.C. § 2675(d) exhaustion required	Not applicable; CLJA created fixed filing window, not traditional tort accrual	Administrative claim deadline CLOSED Aug. 10, 2024. Only claimants who timely filed administrative claims may proceed to suit. Lawsuits must be filed in E.D.N.C. per CLJA § 804(b)(1). Elective Option settlement program remains active for pending claims. No revival statute pending.
North Carolina	Preempted by CLJA; original 10-year statute of repose displaced for CLJA claims	CLJA § 804(a)(2) explicitly overrides N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-50(a)(5) repose	N/A	State law repose remains barrier for non-CLJA claims. Intake limited to CLJA-eligible claimants with timely administrative filings.
Florida	Preempted by CLJA for base exposure claims; 4 years general personal injury SOL otherwise	Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a); CLJA federal cause of action controls	N/A for CLJA claims	Large veteran population state. Intake must verify 30-day exposure 8/1/1953-12/31/1987 and timely administrative claim filing by Aug. 10, 2024.
California	Preempted by CLJA for base exposure claims; 2 years personal injury SOL otherwise	Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1; CLJA federal cause of action controls	N/A for CLJA claims	Significant veteran population. Same intake requirements: administrative claim filed by Aug. 10, 2024 prerequisite to suit.
Texas	Preempted by CLJA for base exposure claims; 2 years personal injury SOL otherwise	Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003; CLJA federal cause of action controls	N/A for CLJA claims	Major veteran population state. Verify administrative claim filing date before accepting for litigation.

Workbench

LexGenius Ranking

76Score

Court, news, and regulatory activity are elevated

Evidence14 / 20

Momentum16 / 20

Exposure14 / 20

Regulatory14 / 20

Legal18 / 20

Monitoring

Live

monitoring

Last: Apr 28, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC

Next: 43:00

Source Monitoring

PACER

3m 00s

PACER

Pending

Google News

3m 00s

PubMed

Pending

Event feed

events detected

Google News

AI Brief

Camp Lejeune remains active litigation category with 25 current signals in the accepted feed.

Overview

Key developments

MSN news on Apr 26: DOJ approves $175M in settlements to service members exposed to Camp Lejeune water contamination - MSN.

Generated Apr 28, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC

← Previous

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Active litigation category25 eventsToxic Exposure

Camp Lejeune

Environmental · water-contamination claims connected to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Defendant

United States of America

MDL / Track

See litigation status

E.D.N.C.

Judge

Judges James C. Dever III, Richard E. Myers II, Terrence W. Boyle, Louise W. Flanagan

Plaintiffs

3,700+ pending

Bellwether / Trial

No verdicts yet

Settlement Status

Elective Option program: ~$530M paid to date
individual settlements $100K-$550K
only ~64,000 of 409,910 administrative claims qualify under strict EO criteria
global settlement framework pending with Settlement Masters developing matrix for 2026 rollout

SharePost on X Share on Bluesky Share on LinkedIn Share on Facebook Email

Track litigations for free. Save this matter, capture notes, and monitor live signals.

← Torts Case overview Litigation status Geographic exposure Key defendants Timeline Statute of limitations Live activity News PubMed Court filings Legislative

Case overview

Causation Theory

Litigation status

Geographic exposure

North Carolina — Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Primary exposure site. 546,500+ administrative claims filed under CLJA; 409,910 remain pending with Navy as of February 2026. Three contaminated water systems: Hadnot Point (TCE primary contaminant, 1953-1985), Tarawa Terrace (PCE from ABC One-Hour Cleaners off-base dry cleaner, 1952-1987), Holcomb Boulevard. 3,715 federal lawsuits pending in E.D.N.C. First bellwether trials scheduled for 2026; kidney cancer cases (23,000+ claimants) prioritized. Elective Option settlements: $450K-$550K for Tier 1 illnesses (bladder cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma); only 64,000 claims qualify under strict 2-35 year latency requirement.
North Carolina — Eastern District of North Carolina
Exclusive venue for CLJA litigation under 28 U.S.C. § 2675. Government filed 30+ Daubert motions February-March 2026 to exclude plaintiff expert witnesses; rulings pending. Dispute over reliance on ATSDR water modeling for causation. Settlement Masters surveying 2,400 claimants to develop payment matrix.
North Carolina — ABC One-Hour Cleaners (off-base, Jacksonville)
Source of PCE contamination for Tarawa Terrace water system. Dry cleaning operation located off-base; contamination migrated to base wells. ATSDR confirmed PCE levels reached 215 ppb in tap water samples.
North Carolina — Hadnot Point Industrial Area
On-base contamination source. Leaking underground storage tanks and waste disposal sites released TCE. Most contaminated wells shut down February 1985. Served Mainside barracks and Hospital Point family housing.
North Carolina — Tarawa Terrace Family Housing/Knox Trailer Park
Residential exposure zone. System operated 1952-1987; shut down March 1987. Served family housing and trailer park population. Contamination duration estimated at 30+ years before 1982 detection.
North Carolina — Holcomb Boulevard Water System
Third contaminated system serving base housing. VOC contamination documented; less severe than Hadnot Point/Tarawa Terrace but included in ATSDR health assessments.
National — Veteran/Military Population
Exposure population: 1 million+ per DHHS/ATSDR estimate (active duty, dependents, civilian employees, contractors). 30-day minimum residency/work requirement for CLJA eligibility. August 10, 2024 administrative filing deadline closed; 180-day lawsuit window open for denied/unresolved claims. SOL strictly enforced—no extensions granted for missed deadline.

Key defendants

United States of America

Role: Sovereign Defendant

Defendant	Role	Intelligence Note
United States of America	Sovereign Defendant	Sovereign immunity waived under CLJA §804. Successfully moved to strike jury trial demand (D.E. 51, granted D.E. 133, Jan. 2024). Defense led by DOJ Civil Division. No indemnity exposure; sole defendant in consolidated E.D.N.C. litigation 7:23-cv-00897 before Judges Myers, Boyle, Flanagan, Dever.

Timeline

1982
Marine Corps Discovers VOC Contamination
Marine Corps testing identifies volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water at Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace water systems. Contaminated wells operated until 1985.
1989
EPA Superfund Designation
EPA lists Camp Lejeune and ABC One-Hour Cleaners as Superfund sites and adds both to the National Priorities List.
2009-07-06
First Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Filed
Laura Jones files first lawsuit against U.S. government for Camp Lejeune water contamination injuries. Navy moves to dismiss on statute of limitations grounds.
2012-08
Janey Ensminger Act Enacted
Congress passes Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, providing VA healthcare benefits to veterans and family members exposed to contaminated water.
2017-01-13
VA Finalizes Presumptive Conditions Rule
VA publishes final rule establishing eight presumptive service-connected conditions for Camp Lejeune veterans. $2.2 billion fund allocated for compensation claims.
2022-08-10
Camp Lejeune Justice Act Signed
President Biden signs Camp Lejeune Justice Act as part of Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022. Creates cause of action for individuals exposed between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. Two-year filing window opens.
2024-03
First Track Bellwether Trials Set
Eastern District of North Carolina schedules initial bellwether trials for first track of Camp Lejeune illnesses. Trials address prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and Parkinson's disease.
2024-08-10
CLJA Filing Deadline Closes
Two-year statutory filing window under Camp Lejeune Justice Act closes. Approximately 500,000 administrative claims and lawsuits filed against U.S. government.

Statute of limitations

Federal (E.D.N.C. exclusive venue)

Administrative claims: 2 years from enactment (closed Aug. 10, 2024); Lawsuits: 180 days from claim denial or constructive denial

Rule: Camp Lejeune Justice Act, Pub. L. No. 117-263, § 804 (2022); 28 U.S.C. § 2675(d) exhaustion required

Discovery: Not applicable; CLJA created fixed filing window, not traditional tort accrual

North Carolina

Preempted by CLJA; original 10-year statute of repose displaced for CLJA claims

Rule: CLJA § 804(a)(2) explicitly overrides N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-50(a)(5) repose

Discovery: N/A

State law repose remains barrier for non-CLJA claims. Intake limited to CLJA-eligible claimants with timely administrative filings.

Florida

Preempted by CLJA for base exposure claims; 4 years general personal injury SOL otherwise

Rule: Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a); CLJA federal cause of action controls

Discovery: N/A for CLJA claims

Large veteran population state. Intake must verify 30-day exposure 8/1/1953-12/31/1987 and timely administrative claim filing by Aug. 10, 2024.

California

Preempted by CLJA for base exposure claims; 2 years personal injury SOL otherwise

Rule: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1; CLJA federal cause of action controls

Discovery: N/A for CLJA claims

Significant veteran population. Same intake requirements: administrative claim filed by Aug. 10, 2024 prerequisite to suit.

Texas

Preempted by CLJA for base exposure claims; 2 years personal injury SOL otherwise

Rule: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003; CLJA federal cause of action controls

Discovery: N/A for CLJA claims

Major veteran population state. Verify administrative claim filing date before accepting for litigation.

State	SOL	Rule	Discovery Rule	Notes
Federal (E.D.N.C. exclusive venue)	Administrative claims: 2 years from enactment (closed Aug. 10, 2024); Lawsuits: 180 days from claim denial or constructive denial	Camp Lejeune Justice Act, Pub. L. No. 117-263, § 804 (2022); 28 U.S.C. § 2675(d) exhaustion required	Not applicable; CLJA created fixed filing window, not traditional tort accrual	Administrative claim deadline CLOSED Aug. 10, 2024. Only claimants who timely filed administrative claims may proceed to suit. Lawsuits must be filed in E.D.N.C. per CLJA § 804(b)(1). Elective Option settlement program remains active for pending claims. No revival statute pending.
North Carolina	Preempted by CLJA; original 10-year statute of repose displaced for CLJA claims	CLJA § 804(a)(2) explicitly overrides N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-50(a)(5) repose	N/A	State law repose remains barrier for non-CLJA claims. Intake limited to CLJA-eligible claimants with timely administrative filings.
Florida	Preempted by CLJA for base exposure claims; 4 years general personal injury SOL otherwise	Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a); CLJA federal cause of action controls	N/A for CLJA claims	Large veteran population state. Intake must verify 30-day exposure 8/1/1953-12/31/1987 and timely administrative claim filing by Aug. 10, 2024.
California	Preempted by CLJA for base exposure claims; 2 years personal injury SOL otherwise	Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1; CLJA federal cause of action controls	N/A for CLJA claims	Significant veteran population. Same intake requirements: administrative claim filed by Aug. 10, 2024 prerequisite to suit.
Texas	Preempted by CLJA for base exposure claims; 2 years personal injury SOL otherwise	Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003; CLJA federal cause of action controls	N/A for CLJA claims	Major veteran population state. Verify administrative claim filing date before accepting for litigation.

Workbench

LexGenius Ranking

76Score

Court, news, and regulatory activity are elevated

Evidence14 / 20

Momentum16 / 20

Exposure14 / 20

Regulatory14 / 20

Legal18 / 20

Monitoring

Live

monitoring

Last: Apr 28, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC

Next: 43:00

Source Monitoring

PACER

3m 00s

PACER

Pending

Google News

3m 00s

PubMed

Pending

Event feed

events detected

Google News

AI Brief

Camp Lejeune remains active litigation category with 25 current signals in the accepted feed.

Overview

Key developments

MSN news on Apr 26: DOJ approves $175M in settlements to service members exposed to Camp Lejeune water contamination - MSN.

Generated Apr 28, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC

← Previous

Covidien Hernia Mesh

Monitors Covidien and Parietex hernia mesh MDL 3029, case metrics, and device-safety reporting tied to Parietex claims.

Paraquat

Tracks paraquat herbicide litigation, Parkinsons-related reporting, and pesticide policy developments.