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H.R. 4145: Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act of 2025, aims to make technical corrections to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. The bill addresses specific provisions related to claims for damages by individuals who suffered harm due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, a U.S. Marine Corps base in North Carolina.

Key Provisions of the Bill

Jurisdiction Changes: The bill removes the requirement that certain legal actions be filed specifically in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Instead, it allows actions to be transferred to other district courts within North Carolina or the District of South Carolina.
Establishing Causation: For parties filing claims under the act, the bill specifies that they must show a connection between the contaminants found in the water at Camp Lejeune and the harm they suffered. This can be demonstrated by proving either a direct causal relationship or that it is at least as likely as not that the contaminants caused the harm.
Evidence Standards: The bill details the evidence required to support claims, setting standards for what constitutes sufficient proof of the relationship between exposure to contaminants and health issues.
Exclusive Jurisdiction: It establishes that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina will have exclusive authority over pretrial matters related to claims under this section, while also providing for the possibility of transferring cases to other districts in the region for handling.
Right to a Jury Trial: The bill allows either party involved in a case against the U.S. government to request a jury trial, which can impact how cases are heard and decided.
Expedited Cases: The court must prioritize and expedite the processing of these claims, promoting quicker resolutions for those affected.
Attorney Fees Regulation: The bill sets caps on attorney fees related to claims, limiting them to a maximum of 20% of settlements made before filing a lawsuit and 25% after filing. This aims to ensure that a significant portion of any compensation goes to the victims rather than legal costs.
Effective Date: The amendments will apply retroactively as if they were enacted on August 10, 2022, affecting all claims that are pending or filed after the bill becomes law.
Statute of Limitations: The bill clarifies that it does not change the time limits for filing claims as established in the original Camp Lejeune Justice Act.