Hazardous, cancer-causing substances discovered in tainted base water may have been exposed to thousands of workers or service members at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987. This exposure may have serious side effects, such as pricey diseases and malignancies that are fatal. Continue reading to find out more about Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update 2024.
Up to a million service members, their families, and employees are thought to be at risk from the poisonous water at Camp Lejeune, and many of them have already filed personal injury lawsuits against the government as a result. The US government has set aside $2 billion to make up for the losses suffered by individuals affected, recognizing the gravity of the situation. The federal government will only accept claims submitted by August 9, 2024. The processing of claims is expected to be completed by 2026, having started already.
Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update 2024
A Settlement Master and Settlement Liaison Appointment Order was issued by the Court on July 9, 2024. The Court said in that Order that, following careful analysis, the designation of two Settlement Masters, whom it appointed as part of its Order, would be the most effective means of resolving the Camp Lejeune Justice Act action.
In order to collaborate with the two Settlement Masters, the Court additionally designated a Magistrate Judge as a Settlement Liaison. The Court described the responsibilities of the Settlement Masters, which included helping to create a framework for settlement in instances involving the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
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On the other hand, the Settlement Masters are not permitted to represent any party and are not empowered to order any particular settlement-related activity from either side. Although this is a positive start in the direction of a possible worldwide settlement, there is still more work to be done before the Camp Lejeune cases start to resolve the way the CLJA was meant to when it was drafted and signed into law.
Who can claim for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
It was found in 1982 that trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride, and benzene were among the very dangerous substances found in Camp Lejeune’s tap water. Even after the removal of the most hazardous well supply in 1985, pollution persisted for at least two years.
The base’s resident Marines and their families were not made aware of the contaminated water or how it would impact their health. Determining your eligibility for a compensation is made rather easy by the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. A Camp Lejeune settlement might be available to you if:
- Before August of 2022, you were diagnosed with an illness that can arise from water pollution.
- You spent at least thirty days, from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, either living or working at Camp Lejeune.
Settlement Payout
The government’s optional early settlement program is applicable to 93 litigated Camp Lejeune cases, as per the most recent joint status report. With rewards ranging from $100,000 to $450,000, voluntary settlements have been approved in 37 of these instances thus far. There are now 26 outstanding early settlement offers, and nine cases have been rejected.
Apart from the voluntary early settlement initiative, the government has extended settlement proposals to 111 distinct plaintiffs following their claims verification. Of these, three have been turned down and 58 have been accepted. 81 claimants have now received payments totalling well over $20 million, or around $246,000 each person. The largest compensation per claim has gone to claims for bladder cancer.
July 15, 2024 – New Camp Lejeune Settlement Masters
To assist in facilitating settlement talks, the courts of North Carolina have designated Christopher G. Oprison of DLA Piper and Thomas J. Perrelli of Jenner & Block LLP as settlement masters. James E. Gates, a magistrate judge, has also been designated as a settlement liaison to provide assistance.
These settlement masters have been assigned by the court to facilitate talks between the parties and create a settlement framework for the Camp Lejeune Justice Act cases. No one will be forcing a settlement down anyone’s throat since they won’t be acting as advocates or having coercive authority.
Their jurisdiction is restricted to initiating settlement negotiations; it does not include resolving any disputes arising from the case. However, they will try to create an integrated plan for the enormous undertaking of resolving the bulk of these disputes. Trial pressure is mounting on the DOJ as the deadline for filing a Camp Lejuene case draws near. The Elective Option should be abandoned in favor of a genuine push to secure Camp Lejeune settlements in large numbers.
CLJA Claim Deadline
Regarding when and how a claim must be submitted under the CLJA in order for it to be excluded by the statute of limitations, there are differences in interpretation between the government and many litigants. Both the DOJ and the Navy maintain that all administrative claims will expire on August 10, 2024, if they are not filed with the Department of the Navy before then.
We highly advise you to speak with an attorney as soon as possible if you are considering filing a claim under the CLJA or if you are merely unsure if you should submit a claim for safety’s sake. All administrative claims must be submitted by August 10, 2024, at the latest, in order to prevent the possibility of a claim under the CLJA being blocked by the statute of limitations until the Court rules.
Niamh Prescott has a degree in Mass Communication and an MBA in Finance. She has worked for two media houses and is now running her own media company.
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