AFFF Lawsuits

AFFF lawsuits are being brought against liable manufacturers on behalf of military personnel, firefighters, and civilians countrywide. Have you or a loved one been exposed to AFFF foam? Well, you might be eligible to file an AFFF lawsuit against the manufacturer.

Firefighting foams are made up of synthetic substances commonly referred to as PFAS. These chemicals have been found to cause serious health concerns, including several forms of cancer. If you or a loved one was exposed to these chemicals in AFFF, and subsequently developed health conditions as a result, our attorneys can help you seek compensation for your medical expenses and other damages you sustained.

AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits essentially hold the manufacturers liable for putting people’s health at risk. If you’re considering filing a lawsuit, Gardi, Haught, Fischer, & Bhosale LTD is at the forefront of AFFF Lawsuits, and is currently representing victims throughout the country that have been exposed to firefighting foam in their careers.

What is the AFFF Lawsuit?

Let’s start with some background information to explain how AFFF has been used in the past. To give the firefighting foam its characteristic film that effectively smothers fires, AFFF manufacturers use poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS.

PFAS are controversial chemicals that have recently come under a lot of scrutiny due to their association with an increased risk of cancer, as well as their longevity and durability, which makes them a public health and environmental problem.

PFAS has been in use since the 1950s in various applications, where their durable and waterproof characteristics were useful. They also resist heat, grease, and water, which makes them ideal for firefighting. PFAS chemicals are generally very effective at extinguishing fires fueled by accelerants like cooking oils, gasoline, paint, and other petroleum products.

Unfortunately, PFAS are also not biodegradable, and the chemicals can bind to proteins and accumulate in the bodies of those exposed to them. The same durability that makes the PFAS chemicals effective at firefighting also makes them “forever chemicals” as they won’t break down naturally. They just stay in the victim’s body, increasing the risk of developing cancer, and other health conditions.

Let’s start with some background information to explain how AFFF has been used in the past. To give the firefighting foam its characteristic film that effectively smothers fires, AFFF manufacturers use poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS.

PFAS are controversial chemicals that have recently come under a lot of scrutiny due to their association with an increased risk of cancer, as well as their longevity and durability, which makes them a public health and environmental problem.

PFAS has been in use since the 1950s in various applications, where their durable and waterproof characteristics were useful. They also resist heat, grease, and water, which makes them ideal for firefighting. PFAS chemicals are generally very effective at extinguishing fires fueled by accelerants like cooking oils, gasoline, paint, and other petroleum products.

Unfortunately, PFAS are also not biodegradable, and the chemicals can bind to proteins and accumulate in the bodies of those exposed to them. The same durability that makes the PFAS chemicals effective at firefighting also makes them “forever chemicals” as they won’t break down naturally. They just stay in the victim’s body, increasing the risk of developing cancer, and other health conditions.

The Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) lawsuit is aimed at pursuing compensation for victims suffering from health conditions after exposure to firefighting foam. The lawsuits hold the manufacturer liable for the health problems and injuries associated with AFFF exposure. AFFF lawsuit is a multi-district litigation (MDL) being filed on behalf of victims exposed to the foam whether on the job or through contaminated water.

What Injuries are Caused by AFFF?

Firefighters and military personnel are at the highest risk of AFFF exposure and its injuries. However, AFFF exposure can also result from drinking contaminated water or eating food grown in contaminated areas. The AFFF chemicals are known to contaminate the soil, groundwater, and air in locations where AFFF has been used to fight fires, or manufactured/stored.

The following are the medical conditions possibly associated with exposure to AFFF as listed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

• Child development issues
• Fetal damage
• Cholesterol increases
• Asthma
• Fertility problems
• Liver disease
• Thyroid disease
• Immune system changes
• Low birth weight
• Pregnancy-induced pre-eclampsia and hypertension

The specific condition will largely depend on the individual, the length of exposure, and the concentration of the AFFF.

As noted earlier, AFFF contains perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), or PFAS. These chemicals are known carcinogens, and they stay in the body for a long time, often for the rest of their lives. Some of the malignancies currently identified to be linked to AFFF include the following:

• Leukemia
• Bladder cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Lymphoma
• Breast cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Testicular cancer

Some of these cancers can be treated if caught early enough. However, many do not have a good prognosis. Additionally, some serious side effects come with cancer treatment, from radiation therapy to surgery, and chemotherapy.

Patients may also need to take considerable time out of work for treatment, and some might not have the ability to work at all during the treatment period. This can potentially cause financial hardships and the lives of their loved ones are changed forever.

Am I Eligible to File for an AFFF Lawsuit?

To be eligible to file an AFFF lawsuit, you need to meet certain criteria. Just because you have a qualifying disease doesn’t automatically make you entitled to financial compensation. The following are some of the key eligibility requirements to be eligible to file a claim:

• You used AFFF regularly on the job after 1960
• You have a valid diagnosis related to AFFF exposure
• You were discharged from the military other than dishonorably

Keep in mind that there’s no family history exclusion if you’re suffering from a qualifying disease, and minors can’t qualify for compensation. Only firefighters who worked with AFFF foam can. No statute of limitations applies to AFFF lawsuits, except for wrongful death claims, where the statute of limitations will be based on the state the victims reside in.

To file an AFFF lawsuit, you will need to work with an experienced lawyer to ensure you get a favorable outcome. AFFF lawsuit attorneys will typically assess the following elements before establishing eligibility to file a claim:

• Occupational or environmental exposure to AFFF
• The available evidence to support your claim
• Cancer diagnosis or other related health issues
• The nature and severity of your related damages

Gardi, Haught, Fischer, & Bhosale LTD is currently representing military members, firefighters, and civilians who are suffering from cancer or other qualifying conditions due to exposure to AFFF. If you do qualify, you may be eligible to be compensated for personal injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages you may have suffered.

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How Much Will the AFFF Settlement Be?

In the past, AFFF lawsuits have been settled for millions of dollars, but the amount you ultimately receive will depend on the strength of your claim. The following are the factors that will determine the settlement amount you may receive in an AFFF lawsuit:

• Cancer diagnosis records
• Level and amount of exposure to AFFF firefighting foam
• Cost of treatment and other medical expenses
• Nature and amount of other compensatory or punitive damages
• The amount of available evidence to support your claim

Since every individual who has been exposed to AFFF has a different experience and suffers from different medical concerns, it’s hard to say exactly how much your AFFF settlement amount will be, especially without first learning about your case.

Reach out to our AFFF lawsuit attorneys today to schedule a free consultation. This way, we can gather more information about your case, which will help us make an educated estimate of the potential value of your AFFF claim.

Who are the AFFF Manufacturers & Defendants

Our team is currently investigating claims involving the following AFFF manufacturers:

• 3M Company
• Chemguard
• Tyco Fire Products
• Chemours Company
• Dupont
• Buckeye Fire Equipment
• Kidde Fire Fighting

If you or a loved one developed cancer following exposure to AFFF foam, you could be eligible for compensation. The team at Gardi, Haught, Fischer, & Bhosale LTD has what it takes to assess your case and provide you with the legal assistance you need.

We can acquire your medical and employment history records needed to file a successful claim against the responsible manufacturers on your behalf, and even use them to support VA disability claims for qualifying veterans.

Once we establish that you’re eligible to file a claim for AFFF exposure, we’ll promptly start investigating your claim and file it as soon as possible. We understand that some victims need the extra money to fund their treatment.

Contact one of our highly experienced AFFF lawyers at (847) 944-9400 for comprehensive legal guidance and assistance for AFFF lawsuits.

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