If you or a loved one lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and later developed a serious illness, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit and recover financial compensation.
Thanks to the Honoring Our PACT Act and the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, you now have the legal right to sue the federal government for illnesses linked to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune—even if your VA claim was previously denied.
At Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, our water contamination attorneys are helping veterans, military families, and workers pursue justice and secure the benefits they deserve.
Between the 1950s and 1980s, two primary water treatment plants at Camp Lejeune, a U.S. Marine Corps base in North Carolina, were contaminated with dangerous chemicals.
These included:
Trichloroethylene (TCE) – a metal degreaser linked to kidney cancer
Perchloroethylene (PCE) – a dry-cleaning solvent linked to liver disease and cancer
Benzene – a known carcinogen associated with leukemia
Vinyl Chloride – linked to liver cancer and birth defects
These toxins infiltrated the base’s drinking water and were unknowingly consumed by service members, their spouses and children, and civilian workers.
Affected buildings included:
Military housing (e.g., Tarawa Terrace, Hadnot Point)
Hospitals and medical clinics
Schools and daycare centers
Recreational facilities
Administrative offices
For over 30 years, thousands were exposed to hazardous levels of these chemicals through the water at Camp Lejeune.
Medical research has linked Camp Lejeune water contamination to a wide range of life-threatening diseases and chronic conditions, including:
Kidney, bladder, liver, and breast cancers
Lung, prostate, and pancreatic cancers
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and adult leukemia
Multiple myeloma
Aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes
Female infertility and miscarriage
Parkinson’s disease
Birth defects, neural tube defects, and developmental disorders
Veterans and their family members may have lived for years unaware that their serious illnesses were caused by chemical exposure from Lejeune’s drinking water.
Signed into law as part of the PACT Act of 2022, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows victims of water contamination at Camp Lejeune to file claims in federal court—specifically the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Key features of the law:
Victims can sue the U.S. government, even if previously denied VA claims
No need to prove negligence—only exposure and a related illness
Allows family members and estates to file on behalf of deceased individuals
Applies to illnesses caused by toxic water at Camp Lejeune over three decades
This legislation represents a historic shift in veterans’ rights and environmental justice.
If you or a loved one has experienced health complications due to Camp Legune water, don’t wait to seek legal help.
Contact Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro today for a FREE consultation.
Call (800) 675-8556 or contact us online to get started.
You may qualify to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit if you:
Lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 cumulative days or more between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987
Were exposed in utero during that period
Were later diagnosed with a linked disease or condition
Are the family member or estate representative of someone who died from a qualifying illness
This includes:
Veterans and active-duty military personnel
Military spouses and children
Civilian employees and contractors
Legal heirs and representatives
Even if you previously filed for VA disability benefits and were denied, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act gives you a new path to compensation through the civil court system.
PACT Act and the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Under the PACT Act, eligible victims can now file lawsuits in the Eastern District of North Carolina, regardless of previous VA denials. You may recover compensation for:
Medical treatment costs
Ongoing care and rehabilitation
Lost wages and future earning potential
Pain and suffering
Funeral expenses
Loss of companionship
Disability-related costs not covered by the VA
You can file a civil claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act in addition to receiving VA disability benefits. Our legal team can help you pursue both paths to recovery.
Filing a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act involves several key steps:
Administrative Filing
Submit your initial claim to the Department of the Navy. This must be completed before filing a lawsuit.
Waiting Period
The Navy has six months to respond. If they deny or fail to respond, you gain the right to sue.
Filing the Lawsuit
Your attorney will file your Camp Lejeune lawsuit in federal court.
Evidence Gathering
This includes proof of service or residence, medical records, and linkage between illness and exposure.
Settlement or Trial
Many cases will settle, but our attorneys are ready to take your case to trial if necessary.
Over 410,000 administrative claims have been filed as of mid-2025
More than 3,000 Camp Lejeune lawsuits are pending in federal court
Bellwether trials are scheduled for late 2025 to help determine case values
The government has delayed key discovery, but courts are pushing forward
These test cases will shape the outcome and settlement values for future claims. Don’t wait to see how things unfold—protect your right to file now.
There is a limited window to file under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Although the filing period began in August 2022, many expect the statute of limitations to close in August 2024–2025, depending on interpretation and case developments.
If you delay, you may lose your right to seek justice.
SSKB Law has over four decades of experience representing victims of toxic exposure and environmental harm. When you work with us:
You get a free, confidential case review
We investigate your exposure history and medical diagnosis
We help secure VA disability benefits and file your federal claim
We handle all legal filings and negotiations
You pay nothing unless we win your case
Our water contamination attorneys are here to help military families in New York and across the U.S. pursue justice and compensation.
Is Camp Lejeune water still contaminated?
No. The contaminated wells were shut down in the late 1980s. However, exposure during the affected years can still lead to illness decades later.
Can I receive VA benefits and file a lawsuit?
Yes. You can pursue disability benefits through the VA and file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit under the Justice Act.
Do I need to have lived on base?
No. Anyone who spent 30 cumulative days or more on base—military or civilian—may qualify, even if they lived off base and worked at Camp Lejeune.
How much is a Camp Lejeune settlement worth?
Compensation depends on your illness, medical costs, and lost income. Bellwether trials will help determine average payout values.
What proof do I need?
Service records, medical diagnoses, and evidence of time spent at Camp Lejeune. We’ll help you collect everything you need.
If you or a loved one were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and later developed a qualifying illness, don’t wait. We’ll help you explore your legal options, file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, and pursue maximum compensation for the harm you’ve endured.
📞 Call (800) 675-8556 or contact us online for a free consultation