The Camp Lejeune Case: Strong Legislative Backing and Clear Payouts (Part 6)
In today’s edition of Litigation Investing Mastery, I want to highlight one of the key cases in our Diversified Litigation Portfolio: the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Mass Tort.
This case is a prime example of why we focus on late-stage litigation, providing you with high assurance and predictable returns.
Late-Stage Assurance and Clear Qualification
The Camp Lejeune case stands out due to its advanced stage and the thorough legal groundwork already laid.
This case has progressed to a point where an early settlement grid has been published that allows claimants to be paid out immediately, detailing clear award amounts based on the duration of exposure and type of illness.
This makes it easier for us to determine the likelihood of claims being approved and the amounts to be awarded.
The proceedings are so advanced that a filing deadline was set for August 10, 2024, which would cut off any additional claimants from filings past the deadline.
Extraordinary Legislative Support
This case is backed by a rare bipartisan piece of legislation, the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. Would replace with Camp LeJeune Justice Act of 2022
This law, supported by both Republicans and Democrats, recognizes the Department of Justice’s liability and establishes causality for the contamination issues at Camp Lejeune.
The Act determined that claims are to be paid out of the U.S. Judgment Fund with no cap or limit on the amount of funds to be paid out.
The evidence is clear, and the grid system published by the DOJ further exemplifies the late-stage nature of the case.
Litigation Results and Current Status
- DOJ Early Settlement Grid:
- Settlement Progress: Over 117,000 claims have been filed, with the DOJ making elective option offers. Initial settlements have already been paid out, indicating the advanced stage of the litigation process.
Background on Camp Lejeune
- Contamination Evidence: The water supply at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as TCE, PCE, benzene, and vinyl chloride. This contamination affected military personnel, their families, and civilian employees.
- Government Failure: Officials failed to take timely action to address the contamination and inform residents, leading to prolonged exposure. Evidence suggests that after officials discovered the contamination they did nothing to correct it for 17 years.
- Causality Established: The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a US Government Agency linked these chemicals to serious health issues, including cancers, birth defects, and other diseases. The bipartisan legislation codified into law the established causality and liability.
Why This Case Matters
Focusing on cases like Camp Lejeune, where the groundwork is solid and the legal path is clear, allows us to minimize risk and maximize predictability for our investors.
Our due diligence partner uses models to verify service records and review medical documentation to ensure compliance with settlement guidelines.
This case exemplifies our strategy of engaging in late-stage litigation, where the risks are mitigated, and the outcomes are more predictable.
What’s Next
Stay tuned for more insights into our litigation investment strategies and specific cases.
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