Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit in Illinois

Start Your Free Review

Time limits apply in Illinois. Find out if you still qualify.

Free Case Review

Start Your Free Review

Answer 2-3 quick questions to review your potential case.

Researched By
People's Justice Research Team

Verified against court records, regulatory records, and peer-reviewed research.

Last reviewed: June 11, 2026How we research

Last reviewed against primary sources: June 11, 2026

Statute of Limitations

CLJA administrative claims closed August 10, 2024. CLJA suits filed in Eastern District of North Carolina. Illinois VA Regional Office in Chicago handles veteran disability claims, which remain open.

CLJA admin claims closed August 10, 2024 — VA disability claims remain open

Filing Venue

Where to File in Illinois

Jurisdiction — All Claims Filed in E.D. North Carolina: All CLJA lawsuits, irrespective of the plaintiff's home state, must be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Wilmington Division, before Judge Louise Flanagan. Illinois courts have no jurisdiction over these federal claims. Illinois-based counsel appear in E.D.N.C.

Filing Deadline — Window Has Closed, Discovery Rule May Still Apply: The CLJA two-year administrative and civil filing window closed on August 10, 2024. Claimants who received their diagnosis or first learned of the water contamination link close to the deadline may have discovery rule arguments that are still viable, but these are contested. Prompt legal consultation is critical.

VA Disability Claims Are Separate and Remain Open: VA disability claims for Camp Lejeune presumptive conditions — including NHL, leukemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, Parkinson's disease, and neurobehavioral effects — are handled through Illinois's VA regional offices in Chicago and are not subject to the CLJA deadline. Illinois veterans can file VA claims independently of any civil proceeding.

Illinois Veteran Population and Exposure History: Illinois has approximately 630,000 veterans. Marine Corps and Navy veterans from Illinois bases including Naval Station Great Lakes had documented Camp Lejeune assignments. Illinois plaintiffs are well-represented in the consolidated E.D.N.C. docket. The contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune — TCE, PCE, benzene, and vinyl chloride — was present from 1953 to 1987 and is associated with cancers including NHL, leukemia, bladder, kidney, breast, and esophageal cancer, as well as Parkinson's disease.

Illinois Data

Exposure in Illinois

Source: U.S. Census Bureau / VA 2024

Source: Navy JAG / plaintiffs' counsel estimates

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Medical Resources

Clinics & Specialists in Illinois

Jesse Brown VA Medical Center

Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center — Northwestern Medicine

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Camp Lejeune litigation about?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, enacted as part of the PACT Act, allows people who lived or worked at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987 and were exposed to contaminated drinking water to bring claims for certain qualifying health conditions. Claims are first filed with the U.S. Navy and, if not resolved, may proceed in federal court.

Do I qualify for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit?

Whether someone may qualify for a Camp Lejeune claim generally depends on factors such as the diagnosis or injury, the history of using or being exposed to the product, and when the condition was diagnosed. The clearest way to find out is a confidential case review. People's Justice is not a law firm; we connect people with attorneys who can evaluate their individual situation.

Is there a deadline to file a Camp Lejeune claim?

Yes. Each state sets a statute of limitations — a legal deadline for filing — and the time limit varies by state and can depend on when you discovered your injury. Because these deadlines can be strict and missing one may permanently bar a claim, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

How much does it cost to pursue a Camp Lejeune claim?

Many attorneys who handle Camp Lejeune claims work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning their fee is typically a percentage of any recovery rather than an upfront payment; the specific terms are set in the agreement between the client and the attorney. A confidential case review can explain how this would work for an individual situation. People's Justice is not a law firm.

What kinds of compensation can a Camp Lejeune claim seek?

Compensation in injury and product-liability claims can include categories such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Whether any compensation is available, and how much, depends entirely on the specific facts of each case, and no outcome can be promised. An attorney can explain what may apply to your situation during a free review.
Back to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit OverviewTrack the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination litigation timeline