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Litigation Stage Tracker
Active FilingEmerging
Formation
Active Litigation
Maturation
<45
45–55
55–70
70+
Camp Lejeune Water
OpenFILINGChemical
95,000+
Total Cases
Causation
ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) conducted multi-decade health studies confirming the contaminated water caused elevated rates of cancer, neurological disease, and birth defects. The water contained TCE (industrial degreaser), PCE (dry cleaning solvent), benzene, and vinyl chloride — all known or probable human carcinogens. Contamination levels reached 3,400 parts per billion of TCE versus the 5 ppb EPA maximum. An estimated 1 million people were exposed between 1953 and 1987.
Defendants
| Entity | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| United States Government | Property Owner/Operator | Department of the Navy operated Camp Lejeune — primary defendant |
| Department of Defense | Federal Agency | Oversaw military base operations during contamination period |
| ABC One-Hour Cleaners | Off-Base Polluter | Dry cleaning facility that contributed PCE contamination to base water supply |
Litigation Timeline
1953-1987
Contamination period — toxic chemicals in Camp Lejeune water supply
1982
Marine Corps discovers VOCs in base water; closes most contaminated wells
1999
ATSDR begins health studies of former Camp Lejeune residents
2023
DOJ begins accepting claims; filing volume surges past 60,000
Apr 2024
DOJ announces Elective Option settlement program ($100K-$550K tiers)
Aug 2024
2-year statute of limitations expires — 95,000+ claims filed
2025
Track I bellwether cases selected; Elective Option processing begins
2026
95,000+ claims pending. Bellwether trials and EO payouts ongoing
Intelligence Signals
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Key Facts
- Status
- active
Geographic Exposure
·E.D.N.C. (all cases — exclusive federal jurisdiction under PACT Act)
·Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, Jacksonville, NC
·Claims filed from all 50 states by former residents/workers
Eligibility Criteria
- ✓Lived, worked, or served at Camp Lejeune for 30+ days between Aug 1953 and Dec 1987
- ✓Diagnosed with qualifying condition (15 presumptive conditions under PACT Act)
- ✓Qualifying conditions include: kidney cancer, bladder cancer, liver cancer, leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Parkinson's disease, kidney disease, birth defects, miscarriage
- ✓Filed claim before August 10, 2024 (2-year statute of limitations)