Details of Camp Lejeune Settlements May Not Be Included in Status Reports to Court
The U.S. Navy has only made Camp Lejeune settlement offers to a small fraction of the more than 300,000 water contamination injury claims presented by Marine veterans and family members injured at the base.
The four U.S. District Judges presiding over all Camp Lejeune lawsuits have told the parties they do not need to reveal confidential terms of settlements reached to resolve claims, when providing the court with status reports for ongoing negotiations in the massive litigation.
More than 325,000 U.S. Marine veterans, family members and other individuals exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune have already come forward to seek financial compensation for various types of cancer and other ailments. However, as the two year filing deadline under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) approaches on August 10, 2024, it is widely expected that an influx of claims will be presented, likely making the sprawling litigation one of the largest mass torts in U.S. history.
The litigation currently is being overseen by U.S. District Judges Richard E. Myers II, Terrence W. Boyle, Louise W. Flanagan and James C. Dever III, all from the Eastern District of North Carolina, who directed the parties early in the pretrial proceedings to provide regular status reports on Camp Lejeune settlement efforts, including information about individual and global resolutions.
Although reports suggest that the U.S. government has only extended Camp Lejeune offers to a small fraction of all claims filed, the Court recently clarified that the parties do not need to disclose confidential terms in future reports.
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Faced with the slow pace of resolving claims, the court appointed two Camp Lejeune settlement masters last month, to work with the parties to resolve the litigation.
In a court order (PDF) issued on July 29, the judges confirmed that information presented at regular conferences and in status reports should not include the disclosure of confidential settlement information, in order “to protect the integrity of the settlement negotiations facilitated by the Settlement Masters.”
However, the restrictions do not apply to any statistical information provided on the number of Camp Lejeune settlements reached by the government and settlement offers made on its own initiative, without the involvement the Special Masters.
Late last week, the parties submitted a status report (PDF), indicating that the U.S. Department of Navy has only identified 137 claims that they independently determined may be eligible for a settlement offer, out of nearly 325,000 administrative claims that have been filed so far.
August 2024 Camp Lejeune Lawsuits Update
While the parties are working to determine if a global Camp Lejeune settlement program can be established, the Court is moving forward with a bellwether process, preparing several “tracks” of claims involving different categories of injuries for early trial dates, which are designed to help gauge how the Court may respond to certain evidence and testimony that is likely to be repeated throughout the litigation.
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. The court has set an August 11, 2024, deadline for completion of general discovery on the 25 selected cases.
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 for various types of injuries.
9 Comments
DerrellAugust 19, 2024 at 12:17 am
This problem with the water was of such magnitude when it was made aware to the people in charge of the base, they were more worried about what in terms of their own wellbeing, other than telling all the Men and Women on base the truth! The Navy has know for countless years of the problem at the marine base. but instead of doing the right thing they lied, and hid the fact that everyone on base w[Show More]This problem with the water was of such magnitude when it was made aware to the people in charge of the base, they were more worried about what in terms of their own wellbeing, other than telling all the Men and Women on base the truth! The Navy has know for countless years of the problem at the marine base. but instead of doing the right thing they lied, and hid the fact that everyone on base were being systematically poisoned daily with chemicals that causes all kinds of problems to an individuals body! Now, you have your lawyers fighting to discredit us, like we should have known or checked the water ourselves is so insulting! We were American Fighters trained to protect our country, and you dishonored all of our devoted service to this Country! Lies, deception. God grant our rights to be heard by by Jury!
Denise ThompsonAugust 8, 2024 at 5:33 pm
How long must people wait to be compensated for the illness that they have to live with, even some have died for drinking that contaminated water. This should have been settled already.
RonAugust 8, 2024 at 4:06 pm
My father worked at the base as a civilian contractor and got lung cancel. If you ever worked there and got any cancer then pay them is now.
MauriceAugust 8, 2024 at 8:27 am
It's a shame that we send trillions of dollars around the world, but won't take care of our own...smh!!!
ChristineAugust 8, 2024 at 8:22 am
No claim should go through the courts. It's already been proven and money is already approved. Put all injuries or illnesses in their respective pile. Figure out how much each illness is worth and send money for compensation. It is cruel to make people wait any longer for the suffering they or their spouse endured because of this contamination. Why is it up to the judge to determine someon[Show More]No claim should go through the courts. It's already been proven and money is already approved. Put all injuries or illnesses in their respective pile. Figure out how much each illness is worth and send money for compensation. It is cruel to make people wait any longer for the suffering they or their spouse endured because of this contamination. Why is it up to the judge to determine someone's suffering.
MichaelAugust 7, 2024 at 8:20 pm
They have the money set aside but the gov is trying to keep the money for the gov which is a joke you made us drink the water we have suffered numerous injuries and metal stress and you don’t know why will happen to kids they should give like 100k to any marine on base over a year and go from there I spent 4 years there
JessicaAugust 7, 2024 at 6:23 pm
My dad was stationed at camp lejeune for 6 months back when the contamination happened. My mom was in utero with me. I was later diagnosed at age seven with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. I contacted a claims number and gave them my information. They are telling me that I don't qualify because my mother was not on base. I thought the contamination could be spread through seamen, am I wrong?
EdwardAugust 7, 2024 at 12:24 pm
ALWAYS IN PAIN NO APPETITE TO EAT LOSING WEIGHT AND NAUSEA IS ALWAYS WITH IT, MEDS NOT WORKING BUT I MUST TAKE IT.
RonnieAugust 7, 2024 at 10:13 am
I serve in Vietnam, camp Lejeune, Japan, etc,I have PTSD and other medical issues, the US needs to take care of the ones who put their lives on the line for our country, immigrants are living on the American dream we made for them and the ones that serve have to except this on going matter in which is disturbing to us and the American people born and died, maybe you can see why the violence keep[Show More]I serve in Vietnam, camp Lejeune, Japan, etc,I have PTSD and other medical issues, the US needs to take care of the ones who put their lives on the line for our country, immigrants are living on the American dream we made for them and the ones that serve have to except this on going matter in which is disturbing to us and the American people born and died, maybe you can see why the violence keeps happening