Firefighting Foam Lawsuits

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Lawyers

Military Justice Attorneys is investigating claims from active-duty service members, veterans, civilians, and first responders who’ve suffered injuries or illnesses caused by exposure to Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF).

Known commonly as firefighting or firefighter foam, AFFF has been linked to various types of cancers, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, and devastating consequences for victims and families. If you or someone you love were diagnosed with cancer or another condition linked to AFFF, you may be entitled to compensation.

Military Justice Attorneys is a veteran-owned and operated law firm with a reputation of fighting for those who fight for others. Whether your exposure to firefighting foam occurred during your service for our country, your community, or a private company, we want to help.

Our firm proudly serves clients worldwide. Call (843) 773-5501 or contact us online to request a FREE consultation.

What is Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)?

Aqueous Film Forming Foam is one of several types of firefighting foams used for fire suppression. As a low-expansion foam that can quickly cover large areas, AFFF was used widely in civilian and industrial applications for decades, and by the Department of Defense since at least the 1970s.

 Prior to being phased out just a few years ago, AFFFs were also commonly used in training and emergency response events at military bases, chemical plants, refineries, shipyards, and airports because of their ability to smother liquid-based jet fuel and petroleum fires.

While aqueous film forming foams are an effective means of fire suppression, they often contained surfactants that posed known hazards to people and the environment. Among the most concerning are perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), two artificial chemical compounds classified as per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).

Who Faces Health Risks From Firefighting Foam?

Because PFAS chemicals are found in numerous products, as well as our environment and food supply, the CDC notes that most people in the U.S. are exposed to some levels of PFAS. However, some groups of people may face greater risks of adverse health effects due to higher PFAS exposure levels.

People with higher PFAS exposure risks related to AFFF include:

• Firefighters and trainees
• Military service members and military firefighters
• Industrial and chemical plant workers
• Airport emergency responders
• People who live near facilities that make PFAS-based foam 
• Other emergency, hazmat, and fire suppression responders

Firefighting foam lawsuits are strongly associated with firefighters and chemical manufacturing workers who frequently used or handled PFAS-based foams in the course of their employment, but they are not the only victims. 

Over the course of decades, Aqueous Film Forming Foams were used widely by all branches of the U.S. military. Military firefighters and other service members would use these foams both in training and active duty, as well as on military bases, air bases, and vessels. 

If you or someone you love were diagnosed with cancer or another condition, a history of exposure to firefighter foam may provide the basis for a civil claim and compensation. Our firefighting foam attorneys at Military Justice Attorneys,can review your exposure history and evaluate your options during a complimentary consultation. 

Health Conditions Linked to AFFF 

Based on studies examining exposure and disease prevalence among firefighters, service members, and others exposed to these foams, there are now growing links between PFAS-based firefighter foams and various cancers and other chronic conditions.

Some of the cancers associated with AFFF exposure include:

• Kidney cancer 
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Testicular cancer
• Liver cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Prostate cancer in men under 50

AFFF exposure has also been linked to:

• Ulcerative colitis
• Thyroid disease / hypothyroidism

Firefighting Foam MDL Looks to Hold Manufacturers Accountable

Considering the growing connection between Aqueous Film Forming Foams and adverse health effects, a growing number of victims have come forward to file lawsuits against AFFF manufacturers, the largest of which include companies such as 3M, Chemgard, and Dupont. 

Many of these lawsuits, which accuse the companies of exposing workers, service members, and others to dangerous chemicals despite knowing about the risks, have been consolidated before a single court through what’s known as multi-district litigation (MDL). 

MDLs help streamline the lawsuit process and, unlike class actions, allow victims to retain individual claims and recover compensation that reflects their unique damages. 

The AFFF MDL is ongoing and will soon initiate bellwether trials that put individual cases forward to gauge the viability of claims and guide negotiations for global settlements. Our team at Military Justice Attorneys is available to explain how the MDL process works, whether you can take part in filing a firefighting foam lawsuit, and what to expect as the litigation moves forward. 

Can I File a Firefighting Foam Lawsuit?

Filing a civil lawsuit after suffering preventable injuries gives victims a chance to take on powerful corporations and recover compensation for their damages. This can include compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.

You may have grounds to pursue an AFFF lawsuit if:

• You were exposed to Aqueous Film Forming Foam or other PFAS-based firefighting foams as a public or private firefighter, chemical or industrial worker, military service member, or civilian; and
• You were diagnosed with a condition that has been linked to AFFF exposure, such as kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease/hypothyroidism, ulcerative colitis, liver cancer, and thyroid cancer. or
• Your loved died from cancer of another health condition related to their AFFF exposure. 

Whether you’re eligible to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit over firefighting foam depends on many factors, including your past exposure, employment or military service history, ability to provide documentation, and the type of cancer or health condition involved. 

Our attorneys are actively speaking with service members, first responders, and civilians across the country about their eligibility, and can help discuss your options when you contact us. 

How We Can Help

Military Justice Attorneys is an award-winning firm with a dedicated focus on fighting for active-duty service members, veterans, and emergency responders. As passionate advocates with over 75 years of combined experience, we’re available to help firefighting foam victims nationwide in the fight for justice.

We’re prepared to deliver comprehensive support for your AFFF claim. This includes help with:

• Evaluating your eligibility
• Gathering evidence and documentation to prove your exposure history
• Consulting with medical experts who provide important testimony about your cancer or condition and its connection to PFAS-based foam exposure
• Filing all forms and legal work in an accurate and timely fashion
• Providing updates about the status of the AFFF litigation and what you can expect as the case moves forward
• Negotiating settlements or, when necessary, preparing for trial

Call For a FREE Consultation: (843) 773-5501

If you have questions about a potential firefighting foam lawsuit and your legal options, our team at Military Justice Attorneys is standing by to help. We serve clients nationwide, offer FREE and confidential case evaluations, and handle cases on contingency, which means there are no costs to hire our firm and no fee unless we win. 

To request your FREE and confidential consultation, call (843) 773-5501 or contact us online to speak with a lawyer.