Camp Lejeune's contaminated water affected hundreds of thousands of military personnel and their families between 1953 and 1987. New York residents who lived or worked at the base during that period - or were born there - may be eligible for compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022.
This page covers the current filing window, who qualifies from New York, how to document your exposure, and what the federal claim process looks like in 2026.
Last updated: June 2026. MDL status: Active, Eastern District of North Carolina (EDNC).
This is not legal advice. Talk to a licensed attorney before taking any action on your claim.
How the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Applies to New York Residents
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA), signed August 10, 2022, created a federal civil cause of action for individuals exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune who developed qualifying diseases. The law is federal - New York state courts do not handle these claims. All lawsuits are filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina regardless of where the claimant currently lives.
Prior to the CLJA, veterans and family members were largely barred from suing the federal government for Camp Lejeune-related illness. The law covers a specific exposure window: August 1, 1953 through December 31, 1987.
If you are a New York resident who meets the exposure and diagnosis criteria, you can participate in the federal claim process without any state-specific barrier. New York does not have a separate state-level Camp Lejeune statute - the CLJA applies equally to claimants in all 50 states.
New York's Filing Window: Key Dates and Deadlines
The CLJA required claimants to first file an administrative claim with the Department of the Navy. That administrative window opened August 10, 2022 and closed August 10, 2024 - two years after enactment. Claimants who filed and did not receive a response within 6 months became eligible to file a federal lawsuit directly in the EDNC.
Deadlines in mass tort litigation can shift. Court orders, tolling agreements, and settlement negotiations can all affect when and how individual claims must be filed. The statute of limitations varies by case type and any court-approved modifications to the litigation schedule.
If you missed the August 10, 2024 administrative claim deadline, consult a licensed attorney to assess whether any tolling applies. Do not assume you are outside the window without legal review.
Who Qualifies: Camp Lejeune Cohort Criteria
To be eligible under the CLJA, you must meet all three of the following:
- ·Exposure window: You lived, worked, or were in utero at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days (consecutive or non-consecutive) between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987.
- ·Qualifying condition: You or a covered family member developed one of the diseases linked to contaminated water exposure.
- ·No prior duplicate compensation: You have not received compensation from the government for the same injury under a conflicting benefits program.
Conditions with VA presumptive status for Camp Lejeune exposure include: bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, adult leukemia, multiple myeloma, Parkinson's disease, aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, renal toxicity, hepatic steatosis, female infertility, miscarriage, and scleroderma. An attorney can confirm whether your specific diagnosis qualifies under the current CLJA framework.
How to Document Your Exposure and Condition
Camp Lejeune claim documentation falls into two categories:
Proof of exposure:
- ·DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
- ·Military orders or deployment records showing dates at Camp Lejeune
- ·Base housing records from the applicable period
- ·School enrollment records (for family members who lived on base)
- ·Birth certificate (for claimants born at Camp Lejeune)
Proof of diagnosis:
- ·Medical records from treating physicians
- ·Pathology reports, biopsy results, oncology records
- ·VA medical records if treated through the VA system
- ·Death certificate and medical records for claims filed on behalf of a deceased family member
Obtaining records through the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) can take several months. Attorneys experienced in CLJA claims typically assist with records requests and know which documents are most critical for each disease category.
New York Procedural Notes: Federal Court and MDL Transfer
New York state courts have no jurisdiction over CLJA claims. All Camp Lejeune lawsuits are filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina (EDNC), coordinated under a consolidated multidistrict litigation (MDL) proceeding.
MDL status as of June 2026: The Camp Lejeune litigation in the EDNC remains active. Bellwether trials and settlement discussions for certain disease categories are ongoing. The MDL judge oversees pretrial proceedings collectively.
As a New York claimant, you work with an attorney who files paperwork in the EDNC on your behalf. You do not need to travel to North Carolina to initiate a claim. The federal nature of the CLJA means your location in New York creates no jurisdictional obstacle.
The Settlement Framework: What Public Information Shows
The federal government has engaged in settlement discussions for certain CLJA disease categories. Public court filings and press reporting indicate that settlement frameworks are structured by disease tier, with more serious diagnoses generally placed in higher tiers than less severe conditions.
No universal settlement schedule has been publicly announced for all claimants. Settlement amounts, when offered, reflect: the specific qualifying disease and its severity, documented exposure duration, evidence quality, and the disease category's current status in the litigation.
No outcome can be promised. Reported settlement ranges from public sources vary widely across disease categories. Talk to a licensed attorney to understand how current frameworks may apply to your specific diagnosis and documented exposure.
How to Start a Camp Lejeune Claim from New York
The process for New York residents follows the same federal pathway as claimants anywhere in the country:
- Confirm the exposure window: Were you at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987?
- Confirm the diagnosis: Do you or a family member have a CLJA qualifying condition?
- Gather records: Military service records, base housing records, and medical records confirming your diagnosis.
- Consult a licensed attorney: An attorney handling federal CLJA claims will review eligibility, assist with records, and file in the EDNC.
- Administrative claim: If not already filed, your attorney can advise on current claim process status given the August 2024 deadline.
Last10Legal connects New York claimants with attorneys who handle Camp Lejeune federal claims. A free case review determines whether you meet the basic eligibility criteria. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.