How much does a Camp Lejeune lawyer cost?
Short answer
Camp Lejeune lawyers cannot charge more than 20% of an administrative settlement (including Elective Option payments) or 25% of a settlement or judgment after a lawsuit is filed, calculated after offsets. Elective Option payments range from $100,000 to $450,000 by disease tier and exposure length, plus $100,000 for death, up to $550,000. The filing deadline was August 10, 2024; as of September 18, 2026, DOJ reported more than $879 million paid.
Status as of October 2026
- Filing deadline: claims under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) had to be filed with the Navy no later than August 10, 2024, two years after the Act was enacted.[1] We found no extension.
- Payments so far: as of September 18, 2026, DOJ reported settlement offers of more than $1.1 billion and payouts of more than $879 million (DOJ page updated September 22, 2026).[2]
- Elective Option: DOJ says it is no longer reconsidering Elective Option determinations or accepting additional Elective Option documentation.[2]
- Lawsuits: a claimant may sue in federal court once the Navy formally denies the claim or six months pass after filing. DOJ treats complaints filed on or before October 6, 2023 ("Group A") as eligible for DOJ settlement offers that expire after 60 days, and those filed later ("Group B") as having opted out of the Elective Option.[2]
Legal fees are capped by federal law
CLJA claims are claims against the United States, so the Federal Tort Claims Act fee limits apply. A lawyer may charge no more than 20% of an administrative settlement (including an Elective Option payment) and no more than 25% of a judgment or settlement after a lawsuit is filed.[3][2] DOJ applies these caps to the amount after any applicable offsets.[2] Charging more is a federal crime punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, up to a year in prison, or both.[3]
If an agreement you signed says one-third or 40%, it cannot be enforced above these caps. Ask your lawyer to confirm in writing which cap applies to your claim and whether case costs are charged on top of the fee; the agreement must say how expenses are handled.[4]
Elective Option payment amounts
The Elective Option, announced September 6, 2023, offers fixed payments for certain diseases to claimants who lived, worked or were otherwise exposed at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days.[2][5] Payment depends on the disease tier and how long the person was at the base.
| Tier and diseases | 30–364 days | 1–5 years | More than 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemias, bladder cancer | $150,000[5] | $300,000[5] | $450,000[5] |
| Tier 2: multiple myeloma, Parkinson's disease, kidney disease/end-stage renal disease, systemic sclerosis | $100,000[5] | $250,000[5] | $400,000[5] |
An additional $100,000 is paid where the disease caused or contributed to death, for a maximum of $550,000.[5] A claimant with more than one qualifying disease is paid once, for the disease with the highest payment, and Elective Option offers are not reduced by VA disability awards or benefits.[2] Accepted offers are paid within 60 days or less once payment paperwork is complete, and DOJ's FAQ says kidney disease/ESRD includes Stage 4 and Stage 5 chronic kidney disease.[2]
Worked examples: what the fee cap means in dollars
Example 1 (Elective Option). Tier 1 disease, more than 5 years at the base, disease contributed to death: $450,000 + $100,000 = $550,000. Maximum fee at 20%: $550,000 × 0.20 = $110,000. Family receives at least $550,000 − $110,000 = $440,000, less any separately agreed costs.
Example 2 (Tier 2, 1–5 years). $250,000 × 0.20 = $50,000 maximum fee; claimant receives at least $200,000 before costs.
Example 3 (litigated settlement, illustrative amount). If a filed case settled for $300,000 after offsets, the maximum fee is $300,000 × 0.25 = $75,000. Under a one-third fee that the law does not allow, it would have been $100,000.
These examples use the published Elective Option amounts and the statutory caps; they are not predictions of what any litigated case will be worth.
Do you need a lawyer now?
If you filed a claim before the deadline and have an Elective Option offer, the main decisions are whether to accept within the offer window and whether the payment paperwork is complete. A lawyer can review the offer, but the fee is still capped at 20% of an administrative payment.[3] If your claim was denied or is in litigation (these cases are heard in the Eastern District of North Carolina), the 25% litigation cap applies.[2][3] VA health care and disability benefits for Camp Lejeune conditions are a separate process with their own fee rules: representatives may not charge for VA claim work before VA's initial decision.[6]
Watch for
- Agreements quoting 33%–40%: above the legal cap.[3]
- Offers to "sign you up" for a new Camp Lejeune claim, or requests for up-front "processing" fees: the deadline for new claims passed on August 10, 2024.[1]
- Advertising that promises a specific payout: Elective Option amounts are fixed by tier, and litigated outcomes are not predictable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum a Camp Lejeune lawyer can charge?
20% of an administrative settlement, including Elective Option payments, and 25% of a judgment or settlement after a lawsuit is filed, under 28 U.S.C. 2678. DOJ applies the caps after any offsets.
Can I still file a Camp Lejeune claim in 2026?
No new administrative claims can be filed: the CLJA deadline was August 10, 2024. People who filed in time may still be in the Navy review process or in litigation.
How much is the Camp Lejeune Elective Option payout?
From $100,000 to $450,000 depending on disease tier and time at the base, plus $100,000 where the disease caused or contributed to death, for a maximum of $550,000.
Does the Elective Option reduce my VA benefits?
DOJ says Elective Option offers are not offset by VA disability awards, payments or benefits. Litigated settlements and judgments are handled differently, so ask your lawyer about offsets in your case.
Sources
- Navy reminds potential claimants of the CLJA filing deadline (Aug 7, 2024) — U.S. Navy. CLJA claims had to be filed by Aug 10, 2024 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claims — U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division. Fee caps, Elective Option rules, Group A/B, settlement statistics as of Sept 18, 2026 (page updated Sept 22, 2026) (checked October 11, 2026)
- 28 U.S.C. 2678 — Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. 20% (administrative) and 25% (litigation) fee caps on claims against the United States (checked October 11, 2026)
- ABA Model Rule 1.5: Fees — American Bar Association. Contingent fee agreements must be written and say whether expenses come out before or after the fee; Rule 1.5(d) limits (checked October 11, 2026)
- Public guidance on the Elective Option for Camp Lejeune claims — U.S. Department of Justice / Department of the Navy. Elective Option payment tiers by disease and exposure length, death add-on (checked October 11, 2026)
- 38 U.S.C. 5904 — Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. No fees for VA claim work before the initial decision; 20% of past-due benefits fee agreements (checked October 11, 2026)