Elliot Abrams Serves on Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in Camp Lejeune Water Litigation

Cheshire Parker Schneider & Abrams partner Elliot Sol Abrams serves on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the Camp Lejeune water litigation, which is widely regarded as one of the largest mass tort proceedings in United States history. The litigation arises under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, a federal law that allows individuals exposed to toxic water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune to bring claims against the United States for resulting injuries.

For decades, Marines, their families, and civilian workers at Camp Lejeune were exposed to drinking water contaminated with volatile organic compounds and other industrial chemicals. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act—enacted as part of the PACT Act—creates a path to compensation for people who lived or worked at the base for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987 and later developed certain cancers and other serious health conditions.

Under the Act, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina has exclusive jurisdiction and venue over Camp Lejeune Justice Act lawsuits. As a result, thousands of cases from across the country have been filed in this one federal court, requiring coordinated management and leadership on behalf of plaintiffs.

The Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee is responsible for developing and coordinating strategy for the litigation, handling common discovery, briefing key legal issues, and presenting bellwether cases that will help shape the resolution of claims going forward. Elliot’s service on this committee reflects both his experience in complex federal litigation and his commitment to seeking justice for service members, families, and others harmed by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

As this historic mass tort proceeds, Cheshire Parker Schneider & Abrams will continue to advocate for fair and timely compensation for those whose lives have been altered by toxic exposures at the base, while working to ensure that the promises of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act are fulfilled in practice.