July 2025: A Push Toward Bellwether Mediation
- Bellwether Track 1 readiness: Mediation is scheduled to start in late July for around 25 “Track 1” cases—including bladder and kidney cancer, Parkinson’s, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and leukemias—and is expected to run through late August New York Post+11Lawsuit Information Center+11Keller Postman+11.
- Settlement matrix development: Plaintiffs’ leadership, the DOJ, and settlement masters are finalizing a “settlement matrix”—a point‑based system designed to evaluate case values and facilitate a global settlement Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, LLP+3Fob James Law Firm+3Wallace Miller+3.
🔍 Mid‑2025 Snapshot: Administrative Claims & Litigation Status
- Over 410,000 administrative claims: As of June 2025, more than 410,000 individuals have submitted CLJA claims, with 3,000+ federal lawsuits underway Wikipedia+2Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, LLP+2Navy+2.
- Track organization: Lawsuits are now sorted into three tracks based on illness. Track 1 involves cancers and diseases strongly tied to exposure, with active discovery; Track 2 encompasses lung, breast, prostate, liver cancers, etc. Navy+3Wallace Miller+3Fob James Law Firm+3.
⚖️ Legal Developments & Congressional Response
- Expert evidence clash: Plaintiffs are fighting to exclude evidence from a February 2025 site visit by the DOJ’s expert—alleging it violated scheduling orders Miller & Zois.
- Congressional amendment introduced (July 7, 2025): Rep. Richard Hudson introduced the Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act, aiming to:
- Guarantee jury trial rights
- Lower causation proof to “general causation”
- Allow filings in any federal court in NC
- Cap attorney fees at 20–25% Wikipedia+2Fob James Law Firm+2Keller Postman+2
💔 Human Cost: Veterans Still Waiting
A recent report highlighted the tragic case of Richard Corley, a Marine reservist who died of esophageal cancer on June 23, 2025, after waiting 16 months for his CLJA claim to be resolved. Over 500,000 claims have been filed, but fewer than 500 resolved Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, LLP+4Motley Rice+4New York Post+4.
This deeply personal story underscores a broader issue: thousands more are still in limbo.
⏳ What’s on the Horizon?
| Timeline | Events to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Late July – August | Track 1 mediations take place—outcomes here may set a precedent for larger global settlements. |
| End of 2025 | Settlement masters aim to finalize a global settlement matrix and framework Fob James Law Firm+2Lawsuit Information Center+2Wikipedia+2Navy+12Wallace Miller+12Fob James Law Firm+12. |
| Future future | If Track 1 mediations falter, bellwether trials may proceed to push momentum forward. |
✍️ Key Takeaways
- This is a pivotal moment—Track 1 mediation begins this summer and its results could shape compensation structure across all claims.
- Half a million CLJA claims remain stalled, with only a few hundred resolved—meaning most claimants are still waiting.
- Legal battles are intensifying, both in court (expert evidence disputes) and in Congress (new amendments proposed).
- Real people are suffering, like Richard Corley—who died before seeing justice, illustrating the urgent need for swift resolution.
📝 What This Means for Claimants
- If you’ve filed a CLJA claim: prepare for potential offers once Track 1 mediations conclude and the settlement matrix is operational.
- If you haven’t filed yet but were present at Camp Lejeune between 1953–1987 for 30+ days: your window closed on August 10, 2024, but those eligible can still move forward through appeals or federal court suits.
- Track your case now—ensure your documentation is in order and consult your attorney about how emerging timelines might impact you.
