Firefighting Foam Lawsuit
Manufacturers have used cancer-causing chemicals called PFAS to make a type of firefighting foam known as AFFF for decades. If you were exposed to firefighting foam on the job and have been diagnosed with cancer, you may be able to pursue compensation from a firefighting foam lawsuit. See if we can help you get the money and justice you deserve.
Why Take Legal Action?
By filing a lawsuit, you can pursue financial compensation and justice from those who caused you or a loved one harm.
An Overview of AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuits
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), known as firefighting foam, has been used to extinguish fires since the 1960s. Airports and military bases have relied on AFFF to put out jet fuel and petroleum fires.
Firefighting foam contains dangerous PFAS chemicals like PFOS and PFOA that have been linked to more than a dozen different types of cancer. Those most at risk are firefighters, military veterans, and airport workers who were exposed to this foam on a regular basis.
“There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse health outcomes in humans.”
– U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
A firefighting foam lawsuit is a way to fight back against the companies responsible for your cancer and seek compensation for your medical bills and related expenses.
LawFirm.com has partnered with top firefighting foam lawyers who can even the playing field for everyday people and help affected families in all 50 states. Together, our legal partners have secured over $9.6 billion for those injured through no fault of their own.
Get a free case review now to see if they may be able to file a firefighting foam lawsuit on your behalf and fight hard for everything you deserve.
Firefighting Foam & Cancer
Firefighting foam has been linked to an increased risk of cancer due to the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or “forever chemicals.” When these carcinogens build up in the body, they can lead to long-term damage and serious health problems.
Firefighters are at risk of PFAS cancers like:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Renal or kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid cancer and disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Uterine or endometrial cancer
U.S. military firefighters and firefighters assigned to airports are most at risk of AFFF cancers, as they were likely exposed to high amounts of PFAS in firefighting foam for years.
“In the 1970s, the Department of Defense began using AFFF to fight fuel fires. The release of these chemicals into the environment during training and emergency responses is a major source of PFAS contamination of ground water on military bases.”
– U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
A firefighting foam lawsuit allows victims to seek the compensation and justice they deserve and hold negligent manufacturers accountable.
Who Can File an AFFF Lawsuit?
You may be able to file an AFFF lawsuit if you or someone you love was:
- Exposed to PFAS-containing firefighting foam while working as a firefighter
- Diagnosed with a type of cancer linked to PFAS
If you’ve lost a loved one to a PFAS cancer, you may be able to file a firefighting foam wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf.
AFFF lawsuits have deadlines to take legal action called statutes of limitations, so it’s in your best interest to act quickly. If you wait too long, you may miss your opportunity to seek justice by filing a firefighting foam lawsuit.
Call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with our team for free to see if you may be able to file a toxic firefighting foam lawsuit.
How to File an AFFF Foam Lawsuit
While each firefighting foam lawsuit is unique, most go through a similar set of steps. An AFFF lawyer will handle all of the legal legwork, so you can concentrate on your health during this challenging time.
The basic legal process involved in filing a firefighting foam lawsuit includes:
- Getting a free case review: AFFF attorneys offer free, no-obligation case reviews to verify that they can help you with a firefighting foam lawsuit. A case manager will ask questions about your work history and cancer diagnosis.
- Collecting evidence of PFAS exposure: Your legal team will gather evidence, like your medical records and work history, to prove you were exposed to PFAS.
- Filing your firefoam lawsuit: Your firefighting foam lawsuit will be filed against the companies responsible for your cancer before any legal deadlines.
- Negotiating a settlement: Your legal team will work to secure a firefighting foam lawsuit settlement that provides you with maximum compensation.
If a settlement isn’t reached, your team will be ready to take your AFFF case to court and fight for justice on your behalf.
Compensation from a firefighter foam cancer lawsuit can be used to help pay for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
Reasons to File a Firefighter Foam Lawsuit
Firefighters didn’t know that the AFFF they were using to do their jobs and protect their communities contained dangerous chemicals that could cause them to develop cancer years later.
A firefighting foam lawsuit is a way to hold negligent fire suppression foam manufacturers accountable and seek compensation to help pay for your medical bills.
Benefits of filing an AFFF lawsuit include:
- Accessing compensation without going to court: There is a growing trend of settlements in AFFF lawsuits, allowing plaintiffs to access much-needed compensation without going to court.
- Lessen the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis: Expenses stemming from a PFAS-related cancer can be costly. Firefoam lawsuit compensation can help victims pay for medical treatments and lost wages.
- Protect others: By taking legal action, individuals can contribute to a broader effort to prevent future harm. Successful AFFF lawsuits can lead to stricter regulations for companies, forcing them to prioritize human health and safety in their products.
- Send a message to careless companies: Negligent AFFF manufacturers knew about the toxicity of different types of PFAS but continued to produce and sell these dangerous products without proper warnings. Filing a firefighting lawsuit holds these companies responsible for the harm they’ve caused.
A firefighting foam cancer lawsuit can provide both financial relief and peace of mind for those harmed by AFFF exposure.
LawFirm.com has partnered with top AFFF lawyers who can help victims in all 50 states pursue the justice and compensation they deserve. See if we can connect you during a free case review.
AFFF Lawsuit Update for 2024
A mass tort AFFF class action lawsuit called the Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation has been filed in a federal court. As of September 2024, over 9,500 PFAS victims have already filed claims, seeking compensation and justice for their injuries.
3M Co., Chemours, Chemguard Inc., DuPont, and Tyco Fire Products are among the defendants in AFFF cases.
Other AFFF foam lawsuit updates include:
- September 2024: The total number of claims in the firefighter foam lawsuit is now 9,576.
- August 2024: Firefighter foam personal injury lawsuits continue to reach settlements, providing plaintiffs with money they can use to help cover their medical bills.
- July 2024: Judge Richard Gergel, who is overseeing the AFFF class action lawsuit, selected 9 bellwethers, or test trials, which will be heard first. The bellwether trials involve Pennsylvania residents with kidney and testicular cancer and Colorado residents with thyroid cancer and ulcerative colitis.
- June 2024: New legislation, backed by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFFF), will remove PFAS-containing firefighting foam from U.S. airports and replace it with a non-toxic alternative.
- May 2024: PFAS can be absorbed through the skin, according to a study published in the journal Environmental International.
- April 2024: A Massachusetts judge ruled that IAFFF can push forward with a lawsuit alleging that firefighting gear contains PFAS and other toxic chemicals.
- March 2024: More than 175 cases were added to the AFFF class action, increasing the total case count to over 7,000.
- February 2024: Chemical giant 3M agreed to pay up to $10.3 billion to settle claims brought by municipalities over contaminated water in public water systems.
Legal experts predict that PFAS litigation will dwarf the asbestos lawsuit, which is the longest mass tort in U.S. history.
LawFirm.com is closely following this area of litigation and is committed to providing regular AFFF foam lawsuit updates so families can stay safe and take legal action if the need arises.
Get Help With a Fire Foam Lawsuit
Firefighters shouldn’t have been put at risk of cancer from simply doing their jobs. They trusted that the firefighting foam they were using was safe for themselves and those they were protecting.
To help affected firefighters, LawFirm.com has partnered with AFFF lawyers who’ve secured over $9.6 billion for people injured through no fault of their own.
Our legal partners never charge any upfront or hourly fees and can file a firefighting foam lawsuit on behalf of civilian and military firefighters in all 50 states.
Call (888) 726-9160 right now or fill in our contact form to see if you can work with a firefighting foam lawyer near you to get everything you deserve.
AFFF Lawsuits FAQs
What is the average payout for the AFFF lawsuit?
AFFF lawsuit settlement amounts may vary depending on the specifics of your case, like your diagnosis, medical expenses, and duration of exposure.
However, a firefighting foam lawsuit could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in some cases.
A personal injury lawyer can tell you how much financial compensation you may be able to expect from a firefighting foam lawsuit.
Is the firefighter foam lawsuit legitimate?
Yes, the firefighting foam lawsuit is legitimate. Thousands of firefighters and veterans sickened by occupational exposure to toxic firefighter foam chemicals have already taken legal action to pursue the compensation and justice they deserve.
A firefighter foam lawsuit is a type of product liability lawsuit filed against the companies that manufactured this dangerous fire suppression product. These lawsuits allege that the manufacturers knew about the health risks but failed to warn the public.
Billions of dollars are expected to be paid to victims through firefighter foam cash settlements and trial verdicts.
Who qualifies for an AFFF lawsuit?
Anyone who experienced occupational exposure to firefighter foam that contained PFAS (cancer-causing substances known as “forever chemicals”) and later developed certain types of cancer or other related health conditions may be able to file an AFFF lawsuit.
Qualifying health conditions for a firefighter foam lawsuit include:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Kidney (renal) cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid cancer or disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Uterine or endometrial cancer
Call (888) 726-9160 right now to see if you may be eligible to work with an AFFF law firm to take legal action.
How long does it take to settle an AFFF lawsuit?
It can take several months or more to settle an AFFF lawsuit. A lawyer will strive to secure compensation as quickly as possible.
Can you get VA disability for exposure to AFFF?
Yes, you may be entitled to disability compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) if you were exposed to AFFF firefighting foam while serving in the military and later developed cancer or another related disease.
AFFF was often used by military personnel, like Air Force and Navy firefighters, to combat fires involving petroleum and other flammable liquids.
An AFFF lawyer can help you pursue a claim for VA benefits and, if eligible, file a firefighting foam lawsuit on your behalf to maximize any compensation you may receive.
Is there an AFFF class action lawsuit?
Yes, over 9,500 claims are pending in a type of AFFF class action lawsuit known as a multidistrict litigation (firefighting foam MDL or AFFF MDL) in the District of South Carolina. These claims allege that manufacturers of AFFF knew of the health effects related to AFFF products but failed to warn the public.
Some personal injury claims have already been settled, providing victims with money to help pay for their medical bills and more. However, new cases continue to be filed.
It’s not too late to join the firefighter foam class action lawsuit. Get started right now with a free case review.
Who’s the best law firm for an AFFF lawsuit?
The best law firm for an AFFF lawsuit is one that has successfully handled toxic exposure claims and maximized results for past clients sickened by firefighter foam.
LawFirm.com works with AFFF law firms that:
- Are leaders in AFFF litigation
- Can help victims in all 50 states file a firefighter foam lawsuit
- Never charge any upfront or hourly fees
Together, these firms have secured over $9.6 billion for victims of injustice nationwide.
Get a free case review now to see if they may be able to help you, too.
Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore
Rae Theodore is a writer and editor with more than 30 years of experience in legal publishing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Pennsylvania State University.
- CBS Minnesota. (2023, June 22). “3M agrees to $10.3 billion settlement over PFAS in drinking water.” CBS News. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/3m-pfas-drinking-water-settlement/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, September 25). “PFAS and Worker Health.” National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. November 4, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pfas/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/pfas/default.html
- Florida Bar Journal. (2020, July). “Firefighter cancer benefits: A case for prospective application.” The Florida Bar Journal. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/firefighter-cancer-benefits-a-case-for-prospective-application/
- International Association of Fire Fighters. “IAFF wins protections removing PFAS firefighting foams from U.S. airports.” Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.iaff.org/news/iaff-wins-protections-removing-pfas-firefighting-foams-from-u-s-airports/
- Sokolove Law. (n.d.). “Firefighting foam exposure.” Sokolove Law. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.sokolovelaw.com/personal-injury/workplace/chemical-exposure/firefighting-foam/
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “PFAS – Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.” Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/pfas.asp#
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). “Release notification requirements for releases of aqueous film-forming foam.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.epa.gov/epcra/release-notification-requirements-releases-aqueous-film-forming-foam
- U.S. Fire Administration. (2022, October 5). “Firefighting foams: PFAS vs. fluorine-free foams.” U.S. Fire Administration. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.usfa.fema.gov/blog/firefighting-foams-pfas-vs-fluorine-free-foams/
- U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. (2024, September 3, 2024). “MDL Statistics Report – Distribution of Pending MDL Dockets by DistrictMDL Statistics Report – Distribution of Pending MDL Dockets by District.” Retrieved September 4, 2024, from https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_District-September-3-2024.pdf