This bill updates the Camp Lejeune Justice Act to make the rules clearer for people harmed by the base’s contaminated water. To win a case, you must show a connection between the chemicals in the water and your illness, with evidence that either proves a cause or shows it’s at least as likely as not. You also need to show you spent at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune, even if the days weren’t in a row.

It also sets which federal courts handle these cases, lets a case be moved to certain North or South Carolina courts, allows either side to request a jury, and tells courts to move cases quickly. The bill caps attorney fees at 20% for settlements before a lawsuit is filed and 25% after filing, and any fee split between different law firms must match the work each did. Clients and attorneys can agree to lower fees than these caps. These changes apply as if they started on August 10, 2022, cover current and future cases, and do not change the filing deadlines in the original law .

• Who is affected: People who were at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more and have illnesses linked to the contaminated water.
• What changes: Clearer evidence rules; which courts handle cases; option to move cases to certain NC/SC courts; right to ask for a jury; faster case handling; attorney fee caps of 20% pre-suit and 25% after filing, with fair splits between firms and the option to charge less .
• When: Treated as in effect since August 10, 2022; applies to pending and new cases; filing deadlines from the 2022 law stay the same.