Phase I Update: Momentum Builds for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

Efforts to protect the rights of those harmed by Camp Lejeune water contamination continue as the lawsuit intensifies. Meet-and-confers and status hearings spark contentious battles between “The Parties” (the PLG and Government) over depositions, expert testimony, and trial framework. These areas of dispute sharpen as the discovery process progresses. The Government’s pushback on case management, material production, and causation evidence remain sticking points.

Camp Lejeune Claims and Lawsuit Progress

Two thousand six hundred thirty-five lawsuits have now been filed, and 408,000 claims remain pending with the Department of the Navy; the Government has accelerated the review of only 6,000 of those claims, leaving thousands of individuals still waiting.

The Government’s slow claims processing isn’t the only roadblock Camp Lejeune plaintiffs face. The PLG argues that the Government’s repeated requests for depositions and invasive independent medical examiner (IME) interviews burden sick plaintiffs and threaten progress. The PLG spends significant resources responding to the Government’s continual requests for supplemental materials and revised profile forms.

Nonetheless, Phase I of this lawsuit—the Water Contamination Phase—marches on. The PLG and Government have scheduled depositions for Phase 1 expert witnesses to opine on the contamination and water modeling issues. Phase 2 scheduling is underway.

An Important Upcoming Camp Lejeune Hearing

A March 25, 2025, Phase I hearing will be critical in the Camp Lejeune lawsuit, and the resulting updates will hopefully help determine how ‘water contamination’ is defined and its link to illness.

While the March hearing helps with Phase I, the litigation’s two other phases will also present unique discussions. Resolving disputes for Phase II (general causation) and Phase III (specific causation and residual experts) will shape the trial’s framework and the proof required to satisfy the PLG’s burden. Expert scheduling and discovery are just two of the many updates to come on the Camp Lejeune lawsuit as these phases progress.

Despite the Government’s efforts to put off resolution, individuals harmed by the contaminated water should stay hopeful: Bell Legal Group’s advocates for Camp Lejeune remain committed to fighting for what’s right.