Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlement Calculator
Estimate your payout from the Camp Lejeune Justice Act settlement
Last reviewed: March 2026
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlement
$21B Settlement Fund
Est. 500,000 eligible claimants
Your Details
Your Estimated Payout
$5,292 — $7,938
Editorially Reviewed — Content reviewed for accuracy using published legal research, government data, and verified court records. See our methodology
About the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlement
Between 1953 and 1987, residents and workers at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina were exposed to toxic chemicals in the base's drinking water supply. The contamination included volatile organic compounds such as trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride — industrial solvents and fuel byproducts that seeped into the groundwater from leaking underground storage tanks, an off-base dry cleaner, and waste disposal sites.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, signed into law as part of the PACT Act on August 10, 2022, allows veterans, their families, and civilian workers who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987 to file claims against the federal government. The act waives sovereign immunity, giving claimants the right to sue for damages in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Congress allocated approximately $21 billion through the PACT Act to cover Camp Lejeune water contamination claims. The Navy JAG's Tort Claims Unit is processing administrative claims, with lawsuits filed in federal court for denied claims. Our calculator uses publicly available settlement tier data and comparable toxic exposure cases to estimate your potential compensation. See our methodology page for details.
Estimated Camp Lejeune Settlement Tiers
| Claim Category | Estimated Range | Typical Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 — Highest Value | $300,000 – $550,000 | Bladder cancer, kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia with 1+ year exposure |
| Tier 2 — High Value | $150,000 – $300,000 | Liver cancer, Parkinson's disease, kidney disease with prolonged exposure |
| Tier 3 — Moderate Value | $75,000 – $150,000 | Breast cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, multiple myeloma |
| Tier 4 — Lower Value | $25,000 – $75,000 | Other qualifying conditions, shorter exposure periods |
Estimates based on proposed Elective Option tiers and comparable toxic tort settlements. Actual amounts depend on individual case factors and the settlement administration process.
Factors That Affect Your Camp Lejeune Settlement
- Exposure Duration: Longer exposure to contaminated water generally results in higher compensation. The minimum qualifying period is 30 days, but claimants with years of exposure at Camp Lejeune typically qualify for the highest settlement tiers. Military service records and base housing assignments help establish the duration.
- Health Condition: The severity and type of illness is the single biggest factor in determining your payout. Cancers with the strongest scientific link to the specific contaminants found at Camp Lejeune — such as bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma — receive the highest compensation. Conditions like Parkinson's disease and kidney disease are also well-supported.
- Military Status: Active-duty Marines, Navy personnel, and their family members who lived on base all qualify, as do civilian employees. Active-duty service members may have additional claims through VA disability benefits alongside the Camp Lejeune Justice Act settlement, potentially increasing their total compensation package.
- Evidence Quality: Strong documentation significantly affects settlement value. Medical records linking your diagnosis to known Camp Lejeune contaminants, service records confirming presence at the base, and expert medical opinions establishing causation all strengthen your claim. The earlier your diagnosis relative to exposure, the stronger the causal link.
- Number of Qualifying Conditions: Claimants who developed multiple health conditions linked to water contamination may receive higher compensation. Each additional qualifying diagnosis adds to the overall claim value, particularly when conditions are recognized as presumptive under the PACT Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Camp Lejeune settlement?
Anyone who lived, worked, or was otherwise exposed to water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for at least 30 consecutive days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 may be eligible. This includes active-duty service members, reservists, their family members (including children born during the exposure period), and civilian employees who worked on the base.
How much is the average Camp Lejeune settlement?
While settlements are still being finalized, estimates based on proposed Elective Option tiers range from $25,000 to $550,000 depending on the severity of your condition and exposure duration. The highest payouts are expected for claimants with bladder cancer, kidney cancer, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who had prolonged exposure. The $21 billion congressional allocation is intended to cover all qualifying claims.
What is the deadline to file a Camp Lejeune claim?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act has a statute of limitations. Claims must be filed within a specific timeframe from the enactment of the PACT Act (August 10, 2022). Administrative claims are filed first with the Navy JAG, and if denied or unresolved after six months, a lawsuit can be filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Consult an attorney to ensure you meet all filing deadlines.
What illnesses qualify for Camp Lejeune compensation?
The VA has identified 15 presumptive conditions linked to Camp Lejeune water contamination, including: bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, Parkinson's disease, kidney disease, aplastic anemia, and several other cancers. Additionally, other conditions may qualify if a medical expert can establish a causal connection to the specific contaminants found in Camp Lejeune's water supply.
How do I file a Camp Lejeune claim?
The process involves two steps: (1) File an administrative claim with the Navy's Tort Claims Unit (TCU) using Standard Form 95. The Navy has 6 months to respond. (2) If your claim is denied or you receive no response within 6 months, you can file a federal lawsuit in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Most claimants work with an attorney who handles the filing process on a contingency fee basis (no upfront costs).
Can I file both a VA disability claim and a Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
Yes. VA disability benefits and Camp Lejeune Justice Act claims are separate processes. However, any VA disability compensation you've received for Camp Lejeune-related conditions will be offset against your settlement amount to prevent double recovery. An experienced attorney can help you navigate both processes to maximize your total compensation.