Camp Lejeune Payout Chart Update 2026: Final Deadlines and Settlement Matrix
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) of 2022 opened a historic window for veterans, their families, and civilian workers to seek restitution for decades of toxic water exposure at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. As we navigate through January 2026, the legal landscape has fundamentally changed. The initial “gold rush” of filings has concluded, and the focus has shifted to the Track 1 Bellwether Trials and the expedited Elective Option (EO) payouts.
For the over 410,000 administrative claimants and 3,700 federal plaintiffs, 2026 is the year of financial realization. This guide provides an exhaustive update on the current payout charts, the strictly enforced 2026 deadlines, and the status of the $21 billion settlement fund.
1. The 2026 Legal Landscape: Where We Stand Today
As of January 28, 2026, the Department of the Navy (DON) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are processing a backlog of hundreds of thousands of claims. The litigation is currently moving along two distinct paths:
A. The Administrative Claims Process
Over 410,000 administrative claims have been filed. The government is currently using the Elective Option (EO)—a streamlined payout system—to resolve cases involving specific, high-evidence illnesses without requiring a full trial.
B. The Federal Litigation (EDNC)
For those who declined the EO or whose illnesses do not qualify for the fast-track system, over 3,700 lawsuits are pending in the Eastern District of North Carolina. January 2026 marks the start of the first Track 1 Bellwether Trials, which focus on:
- Bladder Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Parkinson’s Disease
2. The Official 2026 Camp Lejeune Payout Chart (Elective Option)
The Elective Option (EO) is a voluntary settlement grid designed to provide faster payouts. The amounts are determined by two factors: the Tier of Illness and the Duration of Exposure.
Tier 1: High-Strength Evidence
Diseases: Kidney Cancer, Liver Cancer, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Leukemias, Bladder Cancer.
| Time Spent at Camp Lejeune | Settlement Amount |
| 30 Days – 364 Days | $150,000 |
| 1 Year – 5 Years | $300,000 |
| More than 5 Years | $450,000 |
Tier 2: Moderate-Strength Evidence
Diseases: Multiple Myeloma, Parkinson’s Disease, Kidney Disease (End-Stage Renal Disease), Systemic Sclerosis/Systemic Scleroderma.
| Time Spent at Camp Lejeune | Settlement Amount |
| 30 Days – 364 Days | $100,000 |
| 1 Year – 5 Years | $250,000 |
| More than 5 Years | $400,000 |
The Wrongful Death Supplement
If the exposed individual passed away due to one of the qualifying illnesses, an additional $100,000 is added to the total payout, bringing the maximum possible EO settlement to $550,000.
3. 2026 Deadlines: The “180-Day Rule” is Critical
While the original deadline to file a new claim was August 10, 2024, 2026 has its own set of “rolling deadlines” that determine whether a claimant receives money or loses their right to sue forever.
The Denial Deadline
If you received a denial letter from the Navy’s JAG office in late 2025 or early 2026, you have exactly 180 days from the date on that letter to file a formal lawsuit in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Missing this 180-day window is a permanent bar to recovery.
The 6-Month “Constructive Denial”
If you filed your claim before the August 2024 deadline and have not heard back from the Navy for more than six months, your claim is considered “constructively denied.” In 2026, this allows your attorney to bypass the administrative phase and move directly into the federal lawsuit pool.
4. Why 2026 is the “Year of the Verdict”
For the thousands of plaintiffs who rejected the low-to-moderate EO offers, 2026 is the watershed year.
- Jury Trials vs. Bench Trials: While early rulings initially denied jury trials, new 2025-2026 legislation and appeals have pushed for jury participation in specific tracks.
- Setting the “Market Value”: The results of the January 2026 Bellwether Trials will set the “price tag” for future settlements. If a jury awards $1.5 million for a case of bladder cancer, the government will be under immense pressure to increase their settlement offers across the board.
5. 2026 Projections: Traditional Lawsuit Payouts
Beyond the capped Elective Option, “Traditional” lawsuits in 2026 are seeing much higher projected values based on Pain and Suffering and Lost Wages.
| Condition Severity | Projected 2026 Court Value |
| Terminal / Severe Cancer | $800,000 – $1,500,000+ |
| Neurological Disorders (Parkinson’s) | $750,000 – $1,200,000 |
| Severe Birth Defects | $1,000,000+ |
| Moderate Chronic Illness | $150,000 – $500,000 |
6. Understanding the 2026 “Offset” Rules
A major concern for veterans in 2026 is whether their settlement will reduce their VA Disability Benefits.
- The Good News: Camp Lejeune settlements are separate from VA benefits. You can receive both.
- The Offset Rule: However, the government may “offset” (reduce) the settlement amount by any VA payments already received specifically for the same medical condition. For example, if the VA has already paid $50,000 for your bladder cancer treatment, the government may deduct that from your $300,000 settlement.
7. Steps to Take in January 2026
If your claim is currently pending in the system, you must be proactive this month:
- Audit Your Documentation: Ensure the Navy has your DD-214 (proving 30+ days on base) and Certified Medical Records (proving the diagnosis). In 2026, “incomplete files” are being dismissed without warning.
- Evaluate the EO Offer: If you receive an Elective Option offer in 2026, you have only 60 days to accept or decline it. Consulting with a mass tort specialist is vital to determine if the offer is a “lowball.”
- Track the Bellwether Verdicts: Follow The Case Metric throughout February and March 2026 as the first trial verdicts are announced. These numbers will dictate your negotiating power.
Conclusion: Justice is Finally Arriving
The Camp Lejeune Payout Chart of 2026 represents the culmination of decades of advocacy. While the administrative process has been frustratingly slow, the billions of dollars allocated by the Congressional Budget Office are finally beginning to flow. For the heroes who served at Camp Lejeune, 2026 is not just about a check—it is about the final, official acknowledgement of the harm they suffered.