Camp Lejeune Settlement Offers Extended To Only 0.004% of Water Contamination Claims Submitted
Nearly two years after the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was enacted, the U.S. government has only identified 136 claims that may be eligible for an elective settlement offer.
Even though landmark legislation was enacted nearly two years ago to compensate veterans and former military family members injured by Camp Lejeune water contamination, the U.S. government has only made settlement offers to a tiny fraction of the estimated 263,000 claimants who have come forward.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) was signed into law in August 2022, opening a two year window for individuals who worked or lived at the Marine Corps base between the mid-1950s to late-1980s to seek financial compensation for various types of cancer and other ailments linked to toxic chemicals that contaminated the water supply.
The U.S. government previously denied the injury claims for years, since the North Carolina statute of limitations had already expired by the time the water problems at the base were discovered. Although law makers have called for prompt Camp Lejeune settlement offers to be made, the Department of Navy and Department of Justice have struggled to review claims.
In September 2023, an elective Camp Lejeune settlement option was announced, which provided fixed levels of compensation for individuals with specific ailments known to be caused by toxic chemicals in the water, including kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, bladder cancer, multiple myeloma, Parkinson’s disease, and systemic sclerosis.
Although many critics have argued the amount of compensation available through that elective option is insufficient, a new report suggests that the Navy itself has only confirmed 136 claims may be eligible for a settlement offer, and only 105 individuals have actually had an offer to settle their claims extended. This represents only 0.004% of Camp Lejeune claims presented so far.
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In a status report (PDF) submitted to the U.S. District Judges presiding over the litigation on June 20, the U.S. government and plaintiffs lawyers outlined progress that is being made to process claims through a new Claims Management Portal launched about 10 weeks ago, where all new incoming claims are now being submitted, as the Navy continues “ingestion efforts” to make previously submitted claims available for review through the portal.
By the time the Camp Lejeune lawsuit filing deadline expires on August 10, 2024, it is expected that the sprawling litigation will become one of the largest mass torts in U.S. history, involving dozens of different injuries and diseases.
Global Camp Lejeune Settlement Negotiations
Since many claims are being presented involving injuries that will not qualify for an elective settlement offer, and many individuals have already indicated they intend to reject the set amount of compensation determined by the government, the parties are currently engaged in active discovery to prepare several “tracks” of claims involving different categories of injuries for early trial dates, to help gauge how the Court may respond to certain evidence and testimony that is likely to be repeated throughout the litigation.
In addition, the U.S. government and a Plaintiffs’ Leadership Group (PLG) are currently engaged in discussions aimed at a more comprehensive settlement program, with a Special Settlement Master recently appointed to preside over negotiations. However, last month the PLG raised concerns that the government’s inability to adopt a process of efficiently accessing records held by other federal agencies was hampering negotiations.
“Many of the PLG’s concerns regarding the settlement process noted in the May 9, 2024 status report remain,” the Plaintiffs’ attorneys wrote in the status report. “The PLG is hopeful that the appointment of a settlement master will help the Parties make progress toward resolution and push this matter forward.”
Camp Lejeune Track 1 Bellwether Trial Selections
Unless greater numbers of settlement offers start to be extended and accepted, it is expected that several early “bellwether” trials will be held before the four U.S. District Judges presiding over the litigation, to test the relative strengths and weaknesses of evidence linking chemicals in the Camp Lejeune contaminated water to specific injuries.
In October 2023, the Court established a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Track 1 criteria, and the parties selected a group of 100 cases to go through early discovery involving the following five categories of injuries:
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
To help focus efforts, the Court recently directed the parties to narrow down the original list of 100 cases to a group of 25 claims that will be eligible for trial, including five cases from each of the five injury categories, with plaintiffs selecting three of the claims and the U.S. government selecting the other two.
Plaintiffs submitted their Track 1 trial case selections on June 15, and the U.S. Government issued a notice of filing (PDF) identifying it’s selections on June 20. As a result, the final Track 1 claims include:
Camp Lejeune Bladder Cancer Lawsuits:
- Jefferson Criswell v. USA
- Terry F. Dyer v. USA
- Mark A. Cagiano v. USA
- Jimmy Laramore v. USA
- Edward Raymond v. USA
Camp Lejeune Kidney Cancer Lawsuits:
- Frank Mousser v. USA
- Allan W. Howard v. USA
- David W. Fancher v. USA
- David Downs v. USA
- Jacqueline Tukes v. USA
Camp Lejeune Leukemia Lawsuits:
- Joseph M. Gleesing v. USA
- Vivian Connard, Representative of Stephen Matthew Connard v. USA
- Bruce W. Hill v. USA
- Robert Fiolek v. USA
- Karen Marie Amsler v. USA
Camp Lejeune Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Lawsuits:
- Frances Carter as Personal Representative of the Estate of Ronald Carter v. USA
- Robert A. Kidd v. USA
- Cometto Davis v. USA
- Jose Vidana v. USA
- Scott Keller v. USA
Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuits:
- Edgar Allen Peterson, IV v. USA
- Edgar Allen Peterson, IV v. USA
- Diane Rothchild v. USA
- Robert Welch v. USA
- Richard Sparks v. USA
While the outcome of these early bellwether trials will not have a binding impact on other claims in the litigation, they will be closely watched by lawyers involved in the cases, as the average amounts of any Camp Lejeune lawsuit payouts awarded may help the parties in global settlement negotiations, by demonstrating how judges are likely to respond in future cases involving various types of injuries.
12 Comments
GeorgeAugust 17, 2024 at 10:53 am
Multiple health problems no cancer
JamesAugust 13, 2024 at 6:52 pm
Hope to be alive
Ichelle NicoleAugust 8, 2024 at 3:53 am
My dad a Marine and Vietnam vet was stationed at Camp Lejeune in the early 70's. He started having intestinal and bowel issues about 3 years later. He was sick in and out the hospital until he was diagnosed with colon cancer at the very young age of 39 and needed surgery because of issues his large intestine so swollen. I was only 10 at the time but will never forget the look on his face when the [Show More]My dad a Marine and Vietnam vet was stationed at Camp Lejeune in the early 70's. He started having intestinal and bowel issues about 3 years later. He was sick in and out the hospital until he was diagnosed with colon cancer at the very young age of 39 and needed surgery because of issues his large intestine so swollen. I was only 10 at the time but will never forget the look on his face when the doctor came in and told him he needs an operation. He said he didn't wanna die! Well he did! He suffered terribly the last 6 weeks of his life at the VA hospital in Hampton, Va. He was in and out of a coma with tubes all over his body everywhere. He turned 40 years old in the intensive care unit and died 3 weeks later. He also had issues with his teeth from the water. A full set of dentures by 37 years old. All of this was because of that toxic water!!! Not only did my father suffer and die, but my mom, two older brothers and little sister ALL suffered behind his passing and deserve compensation. My mother was 6 months pregnant with my sister he never got to meet. I also had a child with heart and lung problems which doesn't run in our family.
JerryAugust 1, 2024 at 12:53 pm
I was stationed at Camp Lejeune for 2 years, 76 thru 78. I have been diagnosed with Parkinsons for four years now and the government has given me a 100% disability rating and acknowledged my terminal disease was linked to the contaminated water. Why hasn't my lawsuit been settled? Despicable. Waiting to die.
DanaJuly 24, 2024 at 3:27 pm
I think this is gov. Fraud at its finest! In 6 months the number of cases filed have jumped from 90k to almost 300k, and I bet every soldier on file there ever during the time frame have all been accounted for now. I wonder if someone should begin phone verifications on all the claimants not their probate attorneys.
RonaldJuly 22, 2024 at 10:31 pm
In 2024, American Veterans, our Nations Heroes along with the spouses and children still fall short for harm the Nation caused want be properly compensated. This is Shameful and UnAmerican. We fine ways not to compensate instead of Marines and their families hold. We drunk the Bad Water, let's do to the Right Thing. Semper Fi/ Pentagon First Responder
TheresaJuly 18, 2024 at 9:42 am
My father was stationed at Camp LEJEUNE in late 1958. We all lived on base housing. I was 2 years old and my sister was born at the naval hospital. My dad died of esophageal cancer and liver cancer in 1990. He was 51 years old. My mother dies 4 years later of metastatic breast cancer. I was diagnosed in my 30's with precancerous esophagus and now have kidney problems. My little sister is on hospic[Show More]My father was stationed at Camp LEJEUNE in late 1958. We all lived on base housing. I was 2 years old and my sister was born at the naval hospital. My dad died of esophageal cancer and liver cancer in 1990. He was 51 years old. My mother dies 4 years later of metastatic breast cancer. I was diagnosed in my 30's with precancerous esophagus and now have kidney problems. My little sister is on hospice for heart,lung and gastrointestinal diseases. She was never able to have children. It is so sad to see how this problem destroyed so many lives. The government already said they were at fault. Why are they fighting this and prolonging the pain?
LloydJuly 13, 2024 at 11:45 pm
I resided in Base Housing TTII for period May 1985-April 1988 while stationed at CLNC! This water toxicity has and continues to have a detrimental impact on my teeth and it’s where I was diagnosed for migraines (headaches). I’m almost 64 years old and no one else in my family suffers from these non-hereditary diseases. I’ve always surmised that our Government hopes that we’ll just die and it’s one[Show More]I resided in Base Housing TTII for period May 1985-April 1988 while stationed at CLNC! This water toxicity has and continues to have a detrimental impact on my teeth and it’s where I was diagnosed for migraines (headaches). I’m almost 64 years old and no one else in my family suffers from these non-hereditary diseases. I’ve always surmised that our Government hopes that we’ll just die and it’s one less affected veteran’s claim requiring some type of adjudication. Smdh
MaryJuly 13, 2024 at 7:39 pm
Wow, now I have to write it again? I was in the Navy. I joined and was stationed on the USS Point Loma. I was at Camp Lejeune waiting for my ship. After I was Discharged I went home, I got married, and pregnant 3 times. I lost them all. Then I had to have a historectomy No more babies. I was a wreck and hated life. Then I heard all this about Camp Lejeune and became even more depressed. It never h[Show More]Wow, now I have to write it again? I was in the Navy. I joined and was stationed on the USS Point Loma. I was at Camp Lejeune waiting for my ship. After I was Discharged I went home, I got married, and pregnant 3 times. I lost them all. Then I had to have a historectomy No more babies. I was a wreck and hated life. Then I heard all this about Camp Lejeune and became even more depressed. It never has ended for me. Now I am older and very alone. I wish I hadn't joined the Navy.
KathleenJuly 9, 2024 at 7:42 am
It pains me to see how long you people make these Veterans wait for a settlement. My husband is a Vietnam vet and has many issues. But he just waits and waits. What if all the soldiers just waited and waited to fight for their country
ANNAJuly 6, 2024 at 11:40 am
I was in camp Lejeune 1966 my daughter Lisa born there now sh have both breast remove for cancer ,myself I have deadly melanoma, thyroid cancer,ecc,ecc,my husband was in marine there and he died with prostate cancer ecc.ec.
JohnJuly 5, 2024 at 8:01 pm
I was very sick for this.i should be compensated.i will live with this liver cancer the rest of my life. John Martinez. Thank You