We Answer Your Camp Lejeune Lawsuit FAQs

Did you or someone you love get sick after toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune? Compensation is available to you now and it could be as high as a six-figure payout… or possibly even more. The 117^th Congress recently passed the PACT Act. This new law makes it easier for those exposed to the base’s toxic water to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit. This is the required first step towards getting that newly available settlement money from the federal government. If you’re considering filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, you may have some lingering questions about who exactly may qualify for compensation.

Below, we answer several frequently asked questions about this new law. We’ll also give some guidance on how and when to file your own Camp Lejeune lawsuit.

Question #1: Why am I seeing so many Camp Lejeune lawsuit ads right now?

Answer: All people living, working or serving at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 experienced toxic water exposure. A recent law passed by Congress provides for the people who were harmed to receive compensation. Lawyers are available to help victims file their claims in federal court.

Related: Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Linked to Cancer, Other Serious Issues

Question #2: What is the PACT Act?

Answer: Congress passed the PACT Act in 2022 to address a series of legal matters “pertaining to toxic exposures related to military service.” Included in this new law is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. That portion specifically addresses people who got sick from toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

The goal of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is to provide impacted service members, base employees, and their families a means of restitution for exposure to the camp’s harmful water. This action is available only to individuals who drank, bathed in, or cooked with the base’s poisoned water for at least 30 days.

The bill prohibits the U.S. government from asserting immunity from litigation in response to a Camp Lejeune lawsuit. It also prohibits anyone who files a Camp Lejeune lawsuit from bringing a separate tort action against the United States based on the same harm. (In other words, you can only file one Camp Lejeune lawsuit per person. So if the water gave you kidney cancer and Parkinson’s, you cannot file a separate lawsuit for each illness.)

Question #3: When did I have to live at Camp Lejeune to qualify for compensation from the federal government?

Answer: Did you or a family member lived at the base between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987? If so, then you can file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit for compensation.

Question #4: How many people drank, bathed in, or cooked with the poisoned water at Camp Lejeune?

Answer: A lot. An estimated one million people were exposed to these VOCs for several years before and after the base conducted its on-site water testing.

Question #5: How much money will I receive if I file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit?

Answer: Each case is different, so you should talk with a lawyer about your unique situation and health issues. However, your payout amount could easily be in the six figures. Bayer paid an average of $100k for each non-Hodgkin’s Roundup cancer case. That same type of Camp Lejeune lawsuit could pay as much as $500k to $1 million per plaintiff. This is due to the nature of the exposure and how long victims waited for a settlement.

Question #6: Am I eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit?

Answer: Yes, if you are in one of the following groups AND can prove you spent at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December, 31, 1987:

• Veterans
• Military family members
• Civilian contractors
• Estates of deceased individuals who can show a relationship between exposure to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune and the decedent’s cause of death.

Related: Who Can File a Camp Lejeune Water Exposure Lawsuit?

Question #7: How can I prove the toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune resulted in my illness/health problems/loved one’s death?

Answer: There is a two-step process to show a relationship between exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune and the harm you suffered:  

Step 1: Show your doctor diagnosed you with one or more verified conditions on the federal government’s approved list. While this list may grow, the current list of verified conditions includes:

• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Female infertility
• Hepatic steatosis
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Lung cancer
• Miscarriage
• Multiple myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Neurobehavioral effects
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Renal toxicity
• Scleroderma

Step 2: Present relevant evidence showing a causal relationship exists, such as medical paperwork or healthcare records. If it’s not a direct causal relationship, you must show sufficient evidence that a causal relationship is at least as likely as not. Not sure what documentation or medical records you need to do that? An attorney can help gather the proper medical evidence required for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.

Question #8: When should I file my claim?

Answer: As soon as possible. While you don’t need to file a claim immediately, there is a pre-set deadline. You must file your Camp Lejeune lawsuit within two years of the date President Biden signed it into law.

Question #9: How much will I have to pay for legal help?

Answer: Nothing up-front. Camp Lejeune civilians and military veterans can talk to an expert advocate for free. You’ll only pay that lawyer a portion of your compensation once you win a cash settlement. If your claim’s unsuccessful, then you pay $0 for legal assistance from that attorney.

If you or a loved one spent 30+ days at Camp Lejeune before December 31, 1987, you may qualify for financial compensation. You can still qualify even if you were never in the military as an active-duty service member.

Complete this brief online evaluation form to see if you may qualify — and to hear from an expert who can help. Act fast to get a cash settlement for your life-threatening injuries or for the wrongful death of a loved one.

Related: Why Camp Lejeune Victims Need an Attorney for Compensation