Camp Lejeune Claims for California Residents

What California residents should know

Camp Lejeune claims are federal statutory claims under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, decided exclusively in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina — regardless of whether the claimant lives in California or anywhere else.

The CLJA filing window closed on August 10, 2024. This page is for California residents whose claims were filed in time: roughly 407,000 administrative claims and 3,744 lawsuits remain in process. Per DOJ figures dated May 15, 2026, more than $876 million in settlements had been offered and approximately $665 million paid.

Possible eligibility factors

• A claim filed with the Navy (or a lawsuit filed in E.D.N.C.) on or before August 10, 2024.
• Documented presence at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987.
• A qualifying diagnosis — Elective Option tiers cover kidney, liver, and bladder cancers, leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, Parkinson's disease, kidney disease, and systemic sclerosis.
• Updated medical records from California providers, which affect settlement tier placement and offer values.

How California claims proceed

California residents do not file or appear in California courts for these claims. Pending administrative claims are reviewed by the Navy JAG Tort Claims Unit; unresolved claims proceed in the Eastern District of North Carolina, where Track 1 bellwether trials are underway in 2026. Elective Option offers — tiered at roughly $100,000 to $450,000 plus $100,000 for qualifying wrongful-death claims — continue to be extended weekly.

Records to gather

• Medical records related to diagnosis, treatment, and symptoms.
• Records showing use of, prescription for, or exposure to the product or substance involved.
• Pharmacy, clinic, employment, military, agricultural, or exposure records where relevant.
• Photos, receipts, dental invoices, pathology reports, or specialist records if applicable.

State-specific exposure and context

California is home to veterans, military family members, and former civilian workers who served or lived at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987. Exposure occurred at the base in North Carolina — where a claimant lives today, including California, does not change eligibility or where the claim is decided.

Where cases may be handled

Living in California does not necessarily mean the case will be filed only in California. Claims may be evaluated by national firms, filed in federal court, coordinated through MDL proceedings, or handled through another legal process.

Federal courts in California

• Northern District of California
• Eastern District of California
• Central District of California
• Southern District of California

How long do California residents have to file?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act filing window closed on August 10, 2024. State filing deadlines do not control CLJA claims, and new claims are generally barred regardless of the claimant's home state. People with claims filed before the deadline do not need to refile; pending claims continue through the Navy administrative process and the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Questions to ask a lawyer

• Are you currently reviewing Camp Lejeune Water Contamination claims?
• What records do you need to evaluate my claim?
• How do California filing deadlines affect my situation?
• Would my claim be handled locally, nationally, or through an MDL?
• Do you work directly on this case or refer it to another firm?
• Are there upfront costs?