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Tag: Camp Lejeune

Camp LeJeune Lawsuits Update (May 2023)

Posted on by karan k

If you were at Camp Lejeune for a period of at least 30 days from August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and you have a medical condition that resulted from the contaminated water at the camp, you may be eligible to file a claim for damages. Furthermore, you may be able to secure a Camp Lejeune lawsuit loan to receive some of your compensation right away.

Here are the latest updates on the Camp Lejeune lawsuits as of May 2023:

 

May 5, 2023: PRESSURE ON DOJ INTENSIFIES AS NUMBER OF CLAIMS GROWS

The U.S. government is increasingly feeling pressure from the rising number of toxic water lawsuits related to Camp Lejeune. Recently, U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle expressed his impatience with the Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyers’ request for more time, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the now 900 filed lawsuits. The DOJ’s focus is to develop a plan to offer reasonable settlements to victims of Camp Lejeune’s water contamination.

 

May 1, 2023: CAMP LEJEUNE’S PSEUDO-CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT

The Camp Lejeune litigation is now evolving into a pseudo-class action lawsuit, although it is not technically an MDL (multidistrict litigation) class action. The court will establish procedures for consolidating discovery, phased discovery, coordinating expert-related motions, coordinating dispositive motions, bellwether selection, trials, and settlement negotiations. This development is an essential step toward the government offering settlements to victims.

 

April 20, 2023: COURT GRANTS DOJ EXTENSION

With thousands of plaintiffs filing Camp Lejeune administrative claims and hundreds of toxic water lawsuits in the Eastern District of North Carolina, the DOJ has been granted an extension to file answers to plaintiffs’ complaints until May 31, 2023. This indicates that the court will likely consolidate pretrial proceedings, which will significantly impact the litigation process and pave the way for future Camp Lejeune settlement offers.

 

April 19, 2023: JUDGE DEMANDS SWIFT PROGRESS IN LITIGATION

Judge James C. Dever III emphasizes the importance of expediting the Camp Lejeune cases, acknowledging that victims cannot afford to wait for lengthy legal procedures.

 

April 18, 2023: THE NUMBER OF LAWSUITS INCREASES

Over 800 Camp Lejeune civil lawsuits are now pending in the Eastern District of North Carolina, with an average of over 20 new cases filed each day. If this pace continues, there could be over 2,000 pending cases by Memorial Day.

 

April 9, 2023: CAMP LEJEUNE CLASS ACTION REQUESTED

As the number of lawsuits grows, attorneys for both the U.S. government and plaintiffs are requesting that the cases be combined under one judge or that the court manages pretrial proceedings in a coordinated manner.

 

March 28, 2023: RAPID INCREASE IN LAWSUITS

A significant spike in new Camp Lejeune civil lawsuits has been observed, with 179 cases filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina in just one week, nearly doubling the number of pending cases.

 

March 27, 2023: DELAYS CONVERTING PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS TO WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUITS

The inability of the government to act quickly on Camp Lejeune water contamination claims has serious consequences. The Department of the Navy has not yet developed a streamlined system for processing claims, leaving over 20,000 administrative claims unresolved.

 

March 20, 2023: WARNING FOR CAMP LEJEUNE CLAIMANTS AGAINST SCAMS

Claimants must be cautious of scams attempting to exploit their personal information. No Camp Lejeune cases have been settled or heard in court as of this date.

 

March 19, 2023: EASED BURDEN OF PROOF IN CAMP LEJEUNE LAWSUITS

The standard of proof for causation in Camp Lejeune lawsuits is lower, making it easier for victims to establish a link between their illness and the contaminated water.

 

March 12, 2023: SLOW PROGRESS IN CAMP LEJEUNE LAWSUIT UPDATES

The government has not yet created a system for processing the tens of thousands of anticipated lawsuits, potentially causing further delays.

 

March 2, 2023: CAMP LEJEUNE LAWSUITS HIT 200

Progress remains slow for Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits in the Eastern District of North Carolina Federal Court, with roughly 200 cases filed so far. Scheduling and trial dates have yet to be determined, while administrative claims continue to grow at a gradual pace, reaching approximately 25,000. It appears that the Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the Department of the Navy has not proposed any settlements, opting instead to let the 180-day review period lapse, permitting claimants to file lawsuits in federal court.

 

February 23, 2023: VA ADDRESSES CAMP LEJEUNE BENEFIT CONCERNS

David Barrans, an attorney representing the VA, has clarified that submitting a Camp Lejeune claim under the Pact Act or Camp Lejeune Justice Act will not impact an individual’s eligibility for VA benefits. The VA has become more vocal on this matter, expressing concern that veterans may not apply for disability benefits due to pursuing a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim.

 

February 16, 2023: UPDATE ON CAMP LEJEUNE LAWSUITS AND CLAIMS

In the Eastern District of North Carolina, an additional nine CLJA civil lawsuits were submitted, bringing the total count of Camp Lejeune lawsuits to 112, following the expiration of

the administrative claim deadline for the earliest JAG claims. JAG has recently disclosed receiving over 20,000 administrative claims related to the CLJA.

 

February 12, 2023: CAMP LEJEUNE LITIGATION PROGRESSES

On February 10, 2023, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act advanced to the next stage of litigation. The Act, which passed on August 10, 2022, granted those affected the right to file claims and subsequent lawsuits for damages caused by contaminated water at the base.

The initial step requires individuals to file an administrative claim with the Department of the Navy (DON), which then has 180 days to accept, deny, or let the claim expire. If a claim remains unresolved after the 180 days, the individual may proceed with a lawsuit. As of February 10, 2023, thousands of initial administrative claims have expired without resolution, leading to the expectation that the Eastern District of North Carolina Federal Court will soon see a surge in lawsuits.

Submit Your Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Loan Application Today!

If you are involved in the Camp Lejeune legal proceedings and need monetary support while waiting for your case to conclude, consider applying for a pre-settlement loan from Direct Legal Funding, the industry leader in pre-settlement lawsuit funding. To determine your eligibility for an advance on your Camp Lejeune lawsuit settlement, contact us today at 866-941-5588 or apply online.

Do Camp Lejeune Cases Qualify for Pre-Settlement Funding?

Posted on by karan k

The Camp Lejeune litigation is a series of legal cases filed on behalf of individuals who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune U.S. Marine Corps Base in North Carolina. The contamination occurred from the 1950s through the 1980s, and people living or working at the base during this time were potentially exposed to drinking water that was contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene, and other chemicals.

There are a lot of groups that could be impacted by the litigation, including military veterans, family members, and survivors who were exposed to contaminated water at the base. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) of 2022 allows lawsuits for appropriate relief for harm caused by exposure to contaminated water at the base. Under this law, veterans, family members, and survivors (or their legal representatives) can file a lawsuit in the Eastern District of North Carolina after taking appropriate steps.

What Serious Health Conditions Resulted from the Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?

Exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has been linked to various health problems, many of them life-threatening. These include:

  • Birth Defects
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Breast Cancer
  • Kidney Cancer
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Liver Cancer
  • Lung Cancer
  • Hepatic Steatosis

The U.S. government acknowledges that from 1953 to 1987, nearly a million veterans and civilians were potentially exposed to dangerous chemicals in the drinking water at the base. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) of 2022 allows victims exposed to toxic water at the base the right to sue the U.S. government for monetary damages for their injuries.

More specifically, the law allows individuals who were exposed to the contaminated water for not less than 30 days during the period beginning on August 1, 1953, and ending on December 31, 1987, to file a claim. Heirs and family members of those who were at the base during the covered period and died from a condition that has been linked to water contamination exposure may also be eligible to file a claim.

It is important to note that those who meet the eligibility requirements can file a claim regardless of their Veterans Administration (VA) disability benefits status. In other words, whether you have been approved or denied VA disability benefits does not impact your eligibility to seek compensation.

What is the Scope of the Damages Sustained by Victims at Camp Lejeune?

The settlement payouts for Camp Lejeune toxic exposure victims are estimated to total approximately $6.7 billion. Individuals who file a claim may receive between $25,000 and $1 million or more, depending on the severity of their illness. In general, those who struggle with more severe illnesses are likely to receive higher settlement amounts. The Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the Navy’s Tort Claims Unit (TCU) is responsible for processing Camp Lejeune claims.

The specific damages that a claimant could receive from a lawsuit include:

  • Medical Expenses: The cost of medical treatment for injuries resulting from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
  • Lost Wages: This refers to the income lost due to being unable to work because of the injuries sustained.
  • Lost Earning Capacity: The loss of ability to earn income in the future because of various disabilities that resulted from Camp Lejeune-related injuries.
  • Diminished Quality of Life: The loss of the ability to participate in activities that you previously enjoyed because of the injuries sustained.
  • Damages for Surviving Loved Ones: Surviving loved ones of those who died because of injuries linked to water contamination exposure at the base may be eligible to receive damages for loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and other related costs.

What Steps Should I Take if I Want to File a Camp Lejeune Injury Claim?

If you were injured at Camp Lejeune and want to file a claim, there are certain steps that need to be taken:

  • Determine Eligibility: As we talked about earlier, to be eligible to file a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, you must have resided, worked, or been otherwise exposed to the contaminated water at the base for not less than 30 days during the period beginning on August 1, 1953, and ending on December 31, 1987.
  • File a Claim with the Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the Navy’s Tort Claims Unit (TCU): The first step in seeking compensation under the CLJA is to file an administrative claim through the Navy JAG office.
  • Gather Evidence: In order to support your claim, you will need to gather medical records and any other evidence that demonstrates a link between your illness and exposure to the contaminated water at the base.
  • Wait for a Decision: Once your claim has been filed, it may take some time to receive a decision. The Navy’s TCU will review your claim and determine whether you are eligible for compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
  • File a Civil Lawsuit: If the Navy TCU denies the claim or a settlement is not reached, then a civil lawsuit can be filed. All civil lawsuits for Camp Lejeune-related injuries must be filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

It is highly recommended that you consult with an experienced attorney who can help you navigate the legal process and ensure your claim is handled appropriately. By seeking assistance from an attorney who specializes in handling these types of claims and following the proper steps, you can increase your chances of receiving just compensation for your injuries.

Most firms who are handling Camp Lejeune litigation claims offer free consultations and case evaluations. These firms can also provide more specific guidance on what is involved with each of the steps that must be taken in order to obtain compensation.

Can I Get a Pre-Settlement Loan for My Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

If you meet the eligibility requirements to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit and you take the necessary steps to do so, you may be able to obtain pre-settlement funding so you can receive a portion of your compensation upfront. In addition to meeting the other criteria, you must be working with an attorney in order to be approved for a pre-settlement lawsuit loan.

A pre-settlement loan acts as a lawsuit cash advance against your eventual settlement. This type of loan is non-recourse, meaning that your loan is paid back only out of the proceeds from your settlement; if for some reason you do not receive a settlement, you will owe us nothing. Because your settlement acts as security for the loan, there are no credit checks necessary and there is no collateral required.

Direct Legal Funding makes it easy to obtain an affordable Camp Lejeune lawsuit loan. We provide lawsuit funding with the most competitive interest rates in the industry, and we make the process smooth and easy.

All you need to do is call us at 866-941-5588 or apply online and provide some basic information, such as your full name, email, phone number, and your attorney’s contact information. From there, we will process your application and verify some information with your attorney. Upon approval, your lawsuit advance will be issued and deposited into your account within hours.