The legal battle over water contamination at Camp Lejeune is intensifying, with significant disputes over depositions, expert testimony, and trial preparations.
Zois and Miller, among the law firms representing individuals affected by toxic drinking water at the base between the 1950s and 1980s, are actively resisting repeated deposition requests from the government. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to challenge expert reports and the evidence linking contamination to illnesses.
Attorneys report ongoing conflicts between the Plaintiff’s Leadership Group and the DOJ regarding the re-examination of sick plaintiffs. The debate centers on whether worsening health conditions warrant additional questioning.
Related: “Lejeune Baby” Advocates for Justice for Those Affected by Toxic Water at Camp Lejeune
Recently, the government lost a motion to prevent leukemia and lymphoma cases from proceeding. A crucial hearing next month will help define how the court interprets water contamination and its connection to illnesses.
Military Base Litigation Updates
A status conference is scheduled for Thursday, where attorneys hope to gain further clarity on the litigation’s next steps.
The contamination at Camp Lejeune involved industrial solvents and benzene, making it one of the most severe cases of water pollution in U.S. history. Nearly one million Marines, sailors, civilian employees, and military family members were potentially exposed to toxic water.
Related: Erin Brockovich Advocates for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Victims
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act provided a two-year window for affected individuals to seek compensation. Eligible claimants included those who served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and were diagnosed with specific illnesses. The claims window opened in August 2022 and closed in the fall of 2024.
As of now, over 2,600 lawsuits have been filed, with more than 40,000 claims still pending with the Department of the Navy.
