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Legally Reviewed by:

Jonathan Rosenfeld
J.D

March 2, 2023

Over $400 Million worth of case results

Awarded The Best Lawyer in 2024 by U.S. News

Nationally Recognized in Legal Community

The chemicals in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) are unsafe and have been proven to cause cancer.

Yet, firefighters, police officers, military personnel, airport workers, and civilian first responders used this material for years without knowing the effects of long-term occupational exposure to firefighting foam.

Were you a firefighter or regularly exposed to AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) and recently diagnosed with kidney, pancreatic, prostate, or testicular cancer?

If so, you may be able to file an AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit against 3M Company (the manufacturer) and other companies that made PFAS-contaminated products (per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances).

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, our personal injury attorneys are legal advocates for those harmed by dangerous chemicals.

You should know that a $1 billion AFFF lawsuit settlement will compensate those affected by these hazardous chemicals.

Contact our product liability attorneys at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation at our law firm. 

All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Firefighting Foam Lawsuit Lawyer

Firefighters use more than just water to put out fuel fires. Sometimes, they will use foam to deprive and suppress a fire of oxygen. It reduces the amount of time and effort to extinguish the fire.

However, while aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) helps firefighters do their job, it puts their safety and everyone else in the surrounding area at risk.

For example, firefighters and others developing cancer might have cases tied to occupational exposure to fire-fighting foam.

As a result, regular occupational exposure to aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) for these individuals and their families has prompted the filing of toxic exposure cases against fire-fighting foam manufacturers.

These cases are based on the side effects they endured after being exposed to AFFF.

Update: Current AFFF Lawsuits

In June and July 2022, 115 new AFFE fire-fighting foam lawsuit cases were filed into the AFFE litigation, bringing the total to nearly 2,700 claims, including prior mass tort cases.

Many new plaintiffs filing claims against chemical companies had lived near federal military bases where the fire suppression foam was used.

Many plaintiffs claim that the base’s use of the foam led to fire-fighting foam PFAS chemicals contaminating the water source, resulting in suffering adverse health problems and a cancer diagnosis.

Where AFFF Products Are Used

According to the US Fire Administration [1], while fire-fighting foam products are used by military and commercial airlines that use jets, they became popular in fire-fighting efforts on aircraft carriers because of their ability to put out fires quickly.

But there are also other areas where you can regularly expect these types of fire-fighting foam products to be used:

  • Fire departments
  • Military bases
  • Chemical plants
  • Offshore oil rigs
  • Gas refineries
  • Bulk fuel storage centers
  • Commercial airlines
  • Bus and truck fleets

Besides these uses, AFFF fire-fighting foams are used in airports and military training exercises.

What Our AFFF Lawyers Know About PFOS and PFOA

PFOA and PFOS are two ‘forever chemicals” linked to illnesses such as thyroid disease, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis [2], testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Many studies have linked these chemicals to potential health risks. However, the government has yet to put any warning or label on AFFF fire-fighting foam-based products.

So far, there is no ban against perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) [3] and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), but there should be.

These chemicals are not just linked to cancer. Recently, researchers have linked these chemicals and “lower birth weight” in babies.

Aqueous Film Forming Foam Cancer Lawyers

Did you or a loved one develop cancer due to AFFF exposure to toxic chemicals that polluted your environment through fire-fighting foam? You can also file an AFFF cancer lawsuit.

Contact the fire-fighting foam attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to learn how you or your family member may be eligible for financial compensation by filing a firefighter foam lawsuit.

The Toxic Chemicals of AFFF Fire-fighting Foam Presents a Danger

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the primary safety issue with fire-fighting foam is using a specific chemical called per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The problem with PFAS chemicals is that it simply does not go away. Instead, it builds up over time wherever it is found.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [4] has documented the harmful effects of this chemical.

PFAS is found in many different places. For example, PFAS has been increasingly found in the water supplies of many cities and municipalities.

Occupational exposure to fire-fighting foam can lead to a pancreatic or prostate cancer diagnosis.

Fire-fighting Film Forming Foams are Called ‘Forever Chemicals’

There is a good chance that PFAS fire-fighting foam chemicals are found in your drinking water. Either way, the decades-long use of PFAS [5] has subjected many to numerous health risks.

The chemical has earned the nickname ‘the forever chemical” because it has an extremely long half-life. It is made of a bond between carbon and fluorine.

The bond needs to be strong to give PFAS its heat-resistant qualities. The correctly composed fire-fighting foam can help firefighters put out fires.

AFFF Exposure to PFAS Increases the Risk of Cancer

The problem is that these beneficial qualities become dangerous when the ‘forever’ chemicals build up in the firefighters’ bodies exposed to fire-fighting foam regularly or anyone nearby when AFFF [6] has been used.

Here, the issue is that the effects of toxic fire-fighting foams remain for many years, even after the fire is put out. If foams were used on a fire, they still contaminate the soil and seep into the groundwater.

As a result, fire-fighting film-forming foams can harm anyone in the area. In addition, you can live thousands of feet away from an extinguished fire and have a greater risk of getting sick for years.

The General Public Realizes the Danger of this Fire Suppressant

Even though PFAS has been used for decades since the 1940s, the general public is only starting to understand how dangerous these chemicals are when exposed.

The EPA has concluded that PFAS chemicals can lead to kidney damage, immune system impairment, and reproductive issues.

Considering what the EPA has concluded, it is unsurprising that the cancers tied to PFAS exposure have primarily been in the kidneys, testicles, and pancreas.

Specifically, the following impacts on human health have been connected to PFAS exposure:

  • Kidney cancer and neuroendocrine tumors
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Testicular cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Liver cancer [7]
  • Prostate cancer
  • Bladder cancer

In addition, AFFF exposure to PFAS can also cause an increased risk of infertility and damage to the immune system. The effects on the human body are significant and may not even be known entirely.

AFFF Foam Cancer Attorney: Resolving an AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit

The PFAS Family Includes Thousands of Chemicals

Another problem is that some PFAS chemicals are still available in the United States. PFAS is a family of over 4,000 chemicals like perfluoroalkyl, some of which have been banned.

However, new forms of PFAS are no safer than those banned. The danger is even more significant because the damage and effects of the banned dangerous chemicals will remain with us for many years since PFAS does not go away quickly.

The potential universe of plaintiffs in these fire-fighting foam lawsuit cases is broad due to AFFF exposure.

All firefighters, US military members, airport workers, and Federal Aviation Administration workers who worked with an AFFF foam for some time are at risk of developing these types of cancer.

Anyone exposed to AFFF (fire fighting foam) at work or from contaminated drinking water or municipal water supplies could be eligible to recover compensation for your condition.

Airport and military firefighters filed a recent AFFF foam lawsuit after developing ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, or cancer diagnosis, including pancreatic cancer, likely caused by occupational exposure during training exercises.

Environmental Contamination Caused by Firefighter Foam

You may be able to file a lawsuit if you live in a surrounding area and have been exposed to fire-fighting foams in your environment, especially in your groundwater.

For example, if you have lived on US military bases, you may have been exposed to dangerous fuel fires.

The general public has every reason to be angry about illnesses tied to PFAS, especially those caused by fire-fighting foam.

Simply stated, the dangers of fire-fighting foam have been known for decades.

Nevertheless, generations of firefighters were forced out of a job and made to use a dangerous product everyone knew was hazardous.

Exposure to PFAS/AFFF Carcinogens

In addition, people living where these chemicals were used were also exposed to carcinogens that many knew were a risk.

There is evidence that the Department of Defense [8] knew fully well the danger of fire-fighting film-forming foam in the 1970s as a possible human carcinogen.

It means that generations of military firefighters, US military personnel, and their families on military bases were exposed to possible dangers and increased risk of developing severe health problems.

Of course, it is difficult to sue the federal government for a tort, and service members can’t do so.

Nonetheless, exposed US military firefighters may be eligible to join a potential AFFF lawsuit due to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFAS) contamination, leading to adverse health effects.

Firefighting foam attorneys: Exposure to PFAS and AFFF

However, you can file a firefighter foam lawsuit against the AFFF manufacturers of these toxic fire-fighting foam materials/products.

Evidence suggests they may have been aware of PFAS chemicals’ health effects in the 1960s.

Yet, these national foam chemical manufacturers continued to sell fire-fighting film-forming foams containing perfluorooctanoic acid.

Fire-fighting Foam Lawsuit: AFFF MDL Litigation

Many different AFFF lawsuits are currently tied to using toxic fire-fighting foam.

First, AFFF exposed Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in Federal District Court in South Carolina. The pending AFFF class action MDL is Fire-fighting Foam Liability Litigation MDL No. 2873 [9] before Judge Richard Mark Gergel.

Bellwether Cases

In recent news, Judge Gergel set ten bellwether cases involving water providers, moving the cases into the “Tier One” discovery stage that ended in August 2021.

Reports indicate that numerous parties might conduct additional discovery when Tier Two proceedings begin, advancing the AFFF lawsuit cases to trial.

An AFFF exposure MDL is similar to a fire-fighting foam class-action lawsuit. However, unlike an AFFF class-action lawsuit, MDL fire-fighting foam cases are heard individually for trial, usually in federal court.

As of this writing, 753 open AFFF lawsuits are a part of this multi-district litigation in South Carolina for AFFF foam exposure.

Many plaintiffs in these AFFF lawsuits have alleged that their AFFF/PFAS exposure to fire-fighting foam caused them to develop cancer.

Sample cancers in the South Carolina AFFF lawsuit include prostate, pancreatic, testicular, and breast cancer.

Other pending fire-fighting foam lawsuit cases allege blood cancer (leukemia [10], lymphoma).

Potential Defendants

Here are some of the defendants in the AFFF lawsuits that have already been filed:

  • 3M Company [11]
  • Tyco Fire Products
  • Chemguard
  • Buckeye Fire Equipment Company
  • EI DuPont Nemours
  • The Chemours Company
  • Dynax Corporation

New defendants are still being added to these AFFF cancer lawsuits. The map released by the Environmental Working Group identifies additional potential defendants that have caused environmental contamination by using dangerous chemicals.

Currently, the multidistrict litigation is amid discovery.

Recent AFFF Class Action MDL Updates: The Year 2023 in Review

June 5, 2023 – Latest AFFF Lawsuit Update: Trial Delay and Potential Settlement

As the AFFF class action lawsuit progressed, the Plaintiff Leadership Committee filed a joint motion and 3M, the leading defendant, to delay the impending trial. This was due to ongoing negotiations aimed at settling.

The presiding MDL Judge granted a three-week postponement, stirring rumors of a possible $10 billion settlement offer by 3M. Although these developments focus on municipality claims, individual victims’ lawsuits and settlements are expected to follow suit.

June 2, 2023 – A Preliminary PFAS-related Drinking Water Settlement

The Chemours Company, DuPont de Nemours, and Corteva, three prominent companies, reached a preliminary agreement to address PFAS-related drinking water claims.

They proposed to create a $1.185 billion settlement fund, pending the approval of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina.

May 28, 2023 – The High Cost of Cleanup: An AFFF Lawsuit Update

An Environmental Working Group report estimated the cost of cleaning up PFAS contamination from military bases at over $30 billion.

The contamination resulted from the extensive use of AFFF fire-fighting foam in training exercises.

The Department of Defense has allocated only $1.4 billion to cover these costs.

May 24, 2023 – EPA Limits Admitted as Evidence

In a groundbreaking decision, the EPA’s proposed PFAS limits in drinking water were admitted as evidence in the first AFFF lawsuit by the City of Stuart, Florida.

The defendants unsuccessfully argued against the inclusion of these limits.

May 18, 2023 – Exclusion of KFI from Trial

Due to its bankruptcy filing, the upcoming AFFF trial excluded liability claims against Kidde-Fenwal Inc. (KFI), a former manufacturer of PFAS-based fire-fighting foams.

May 12, 2023 – First Test Trial in Class Action MDL

The first test trial in the fire-fighting foam class action MDL spotlighted the City of Stuart v. 3M Co. et al.

The city water authority alleged that PFAS from the defendants’ fire-fighting foam contaminated the city’s water supply.

May 9, 2023 – Trial Exhibits Submitted: An AFFF Lawsuit Update

With the opening bellwether trial approaching, the defense submitted its final List of Trial Exhibits, its trial brief, and a list of deposition designations.

May 7, 2023 – Trial Objections

As the first bellwether lawsuit progressed toward trial, several objections were raised concerning the trial exhibits, resulting in a hearing to address these disputes.

May 2, 2023 – PFAS Presence in Firefighter Equipment

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) revealed that all examined fire-fighting textiles contained PFAS.

This crucial data will inform the development of safer gear and contribute to understanding the risk of cancer for firefighters.

May 1, 2023 – Trial Preparations

The judge ordered the submission of depositions and a list of evidence for the impending trial, demonstrating the escalating preparations for the case.

April 20, 2023 – Launch of the National Firefighter Registry (NFR)

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) kickstarted the NFR for Cancer, encouraging all American firefighters to participate.

The NFR, part of President Joe Biden’s “Cancer Moonshot” initiative, aims to monitor and analyze cancer rates among firefighters, which are higher than in the general population.

The inception of this registry reflects the shifting perception of AFFF cancer risks from a mere hypothesis to an accepted fact.

April 19, 2023 – A Reduction in New AFFF Fire-fighting Foam Lawsuit Cases

In the past month, the AFFF fire-fighting foam class action lawsuit saw an addition of 115 new cases, pushing the total to 4,173.

This marked a noticeable decrease compared to the previous monthly average of 300 new cases. Speculation about an impending settlement could explain the slowdown.

March 30, 2023 – Thoughts on AFFF Motions in Limine: An AFFF Lawsuit Update

Ahead of the bellwether AFFF trial, various AFFF motions in limine were filed, prompting widespread discussion.

March 19, 2023 – Firefighters’ Union Sues NFPA

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) lodged a lawsuit against the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in Massachusetts.

The IAFF accused the NFPA of enforcing a testing standard necessitating the use of PFAS in fire-fighting gear, despite known health risks.

The suit targets NFPA for not withdrawing this dangerous test from its standard procedures.

March 16, 2023 – A Surge in New Cases

Over the past month, the AFFF class action MDL grew by 354 cases, exceeding the 4,000-case threshold.

This increase could signify lawyers’ anticipation of a settlement and their efforts to file cases before it occurs.

March 7, 2023 – A New Individual Lawsuit: An AFFF Lawsuit Update

A new individual lawsuit was filed against 3M by a Texas man, a former US Marine Corps firefighter who developed cancer after exposure to fluorochemical products.

This fire-fighting foam cancer case development underlines the ongoing individual consequences of AFFF exposure.

AFFF MDL Monthly Case Volume

February 17, 2023: Since January 15, 317 new firefighter foam lawsuits were added to the MDL, bringing the total number of pending cases up to 3,704.

The monthly average of new cases for this fire-fighting foam MDL in 2022 was 175, so this month was almost double that.

We don’t know how many new municipal water contamination cases are versus personal injury claims.

Critical Rulings on Daubert Motions: An AFFF Lawsuit Update

February 13, 2022: The AFFF MDL Judge is set to make critical rulings on Daubert motions challenging the admissibility of scientific evidence in the City of Stuart v. 3M Co. et al. (the first bellwether trial set for June).

The City of Stuart [12] is a water supply contamination case, not a personal injury case involving claims that exposure to AFFF caused cancer.

However, the Daubert rulings on causation evidence in the City of Stuart will still have some applicability to what scientific evidence will be allowed in AFFF cancer cases.

The AFFF fire-fighting foam cases will participate in a separate bellwether trial program after the water supply trials.

Statute of Limitations and Discovery Rule for the AFFF MDL Lawsuit

February 3, 2023: Many victims do not contact us because they believe the statute of limitation deadline to file a lawsuit bars their claim.

They correctly assume that the statute of limitations for filing an AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) lawsuit is typically 2-3 years from the date of injury in most states.

But most states have a discovery rule critical to extending the deadline to file an AFFF lawsuit.

What is the discovery rule? It is an exception to the statute of limitations that delays its running until the plaintiff knows, or through the exercise of reasonable diligence, should have known, of both the injury and its cause.

In other words, the time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit does not start until the plaintiff becomes aware of the injury and its connection to the defendant’s negligence.

The statute of limitations and discovery rule are complicated, with scores of exceptions. But many victims looking to file an AFFF lawsuit call us believing they likely do not have a claim in 2023 when they do.

An AFFF MDL Motion for Dismissal Filed by Some Defendants

January 24, 2023: Earlier this month, we told you about a motion for dismissal (summary judgment) filed by some defendants in the upcoming AFFF trial.

Some defendants claimed no expert testimony linked their chemicals to the water in that case. Of course, the plaintiffs responded with expert testimony that does just that.

Growth of the Litigation in the AFFF Class Action Lawsuit

January 18, 2023: Over the last few months, the AFFF fire-fighting foam class action MDL has been averaging over 100 new cases each month.

In the previous month, however, only 49 new cases were transferred into the fire-fighting foam MDL, bringing the total case count to 3,387.

Is the growth of litigation slowing? That is one theory. But few fire-fighting foam lawsuits get filed during the holidays, so it is likely just a seasonal slowdown.

We will get a better look at where we are trending next month.

Firefighters 60% More Likely to Die of Cancer

January 12, 2023: A new study in the Journal of Occupational Medicine [13] reports that firefighters are 60% more likely to die of cancer than the general population.

The death rate for prostate cancer was four times higher, leukemia was three times higher, and kidney cancer was double the rate in the overall population.

The researchers made the obvious point that carcinogenic chemicals in AFFF may be a primary contributing factor.

Defendants File Summary Judgment Motions to Get Themselves Out of the First Bellwether AFFF Trial

January 7, 2023: A group of three defendants (Tyco, BASF, and Chemguard Inc.) recently filed Summary Judgment motions seeking to get themselves out of the first bellwether AFFF trial (the City of Stuart v. 3M Co et al.) before it goes to trial in May 2023.

All three motions argue that insufficient evidence shows that their AFFF products were the source of the water contamination in the Stuart municipal water supply.

In support of this argument, each of the motions points out that none of the plaintiff’s expert witnesses specifically named any of the defendants’ products.

There are a lot of defendants in these AFFF fire-fighting foam cases; some will get out on summary judgment before trial.

Understanding the Global Firefighter Foam Settlement and Its Impact on Pending AFFF Lawsuits

In May 2022, five companies agreed to pay a $17.5 million global settlement to resolve AFFF fire-fighting foam contamination claims.

The companies that supplied AFFF fire-fighting foam involved in the settlement were Chemours, 3M, Tyco Fire Products, National Foam, and Buckeye Fire Equipment.

The settlement will be distributed among states, cities, and other governmental entities affected by AFFF contamination.

This AFFF settlement is separate from pending lawsuits filed by individuals and personal injury claims related to AFFF/PFAS exposure.

Impact on Pending AFFF Fire-fighting Foam Lawsuits

While the global settlement doesn’t resolve personal injury claims or individual AFFF fire-fighting foam lawsuits, it could significantly impact future AFFF litigation.

The AFFF settlement provides a benchmark for the financial responsibility of manufacturers for AFFF/PFAS contamination, which can be used in negotiations for settlements in future cases.

Increased Risk of Fire-fighting Foam PFAS Exposure

The settlement highlights the serious concerns regarding using PFAS chemicals in AFFF fire-fighting foam, which has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and other health problems.

PFAS chemicals are a group of man-made chemicals that are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the human body. PFAS exposure to hazardous chemicals has been linked to various health problems, including cancer, immune system dysfunction, and developmental issues.

The Importance of Working with AFFF Lawyers

As a result, individuals exposed to AFFF and suffering health problems may be entitled to compensation through an AFFF lawsuit.

AFFF lawyers have experience handling cases related to AFFF contamination and can help individuals understand their legal options.

AFFF fire-fighting foam lawsuits are complex and involve many technical details, so working with a fire-fighting foam law firm with experience in this area is vital.

Experienced AFFF lawyers can help individuals navigate the legal process and work to get them the compensation they deserve.

While the global fire-fighting foam settlement does not resolve any individual AFFF foam lawsuits, it is a significant step towards holding AFFF manufacturers responsible for the harm caused by AFFF/PFAS contamination.

It highlights the importance of addressing the serious health risks associated with PFAS chemicals.

It reinforces the need for individuals exposed to AFFF to seek legal assistance from experienced fire-fighting foam cancer lawyers.

Cities and Municipalities Filing AFFF Fire-fighting Foam Lawsuits

In addition, other fire-fighting foam lawsuits are being filed. For example, states and municipalities have begun filing fire-fighting foam cancer lawsuits against the makers of AFFF fire-fighting foam due to groundwater contamination, which destroys their drinking water supplies.

The City of Melbourne [14], Florida, and its airport became one of the most recent plaintiffs filing AFFF lawsuits against fire-fighting foam makers for the environmental damage and the cleanup costs they have been forced to bear.

The Michigan Attorney General [15] has also filed a consumer protection AFFF lawsuit for consumers who sold these dangerous products. Nearly three dozen companies are being accused of concealing the dangers of these products from the public.

More AFFF fire-fighting foam lawsuits are likely coming as more cities and states realize the environmental mess they have been left with and their citizens’ risks.

AFFF Fire-fighting Foam Lawsuits: Fire-fighting Foam Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

The AFFF litigation involves many different types of fire-fighting foam cancer injuries, including:

  • Mesothelioma
  • Lung Cancer
  • Brain Tumors
  • Skin Cancer
  • Lymphomas
  • Leukemia
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Kidney Cancer
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Testicular Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Stomach Cancer
  • Colon Cancer
  • Rectal Cancer [16]
  • Uterine Cancer
  • Cervical Cancer
  • Breast Cancer
  • Laryngeal Cancer
  • Thyroid Cancer
  • Eye Cancer
  • Liver Cancer
  • Gallbladder Cancer
  • Bone Cancer
  • Head/Neck Cancer
  • Soft Tissue Sarcomas

In addition to the number of plaintiffs involved, there are also multiple defendants, including asbestos companies like:

  • Johns Manville
  • Owens Corning
  • GAF Corporation
  • Unarco Industries
  • Armstrong World Industries
  • Pittsburgh Corning Corp.
  • Fibreboard Corporation
  • Nicolet Industries Inc.
  • H.K. Porter Co.
  • W.R. Grace & Co.
  • Raymark Industries
  • Keene Building Products
  • Garlock
  • Rock Wool Manufacturing
  • Turner Construction Company
  • Lummus Asbestos Abatement
  • Combustion Engineering
  • Babcock & Wilcox

This complex litigation involves hundreds of thousands of plaintiffs alleging they developed cancer due to PFAS/AFFF product exposure. Plaintiffs allege that AFFF products caused them to develop cancer over decades while working.

Some plaintiffs claim they have developed cancer symptoms before working around AFFF products.

AFFF lawsuit claims have been filed against specific third parties, including distributors and retailers who sold AFFF products to end users.

These third-party defendants include Sika North America, Inc., Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., J.W. Childers Associates, Inc., PPG Industries, Inc., Celanese Ltd., and others.

AFFF Foam Lawsuit Litigation

As noted above, AFFF litigation is unique because it includes many cancers. Approximately 2,500 plaintiffs claim to have developed mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers cause scarring inside the lungs.

This scarring blocks airflow and causes breathing problems. Mesotheliomas usually takes about ten years to become apparent.

Once diagnosed, patients face a life expectancy of fewer than five years.

Approximately 4,300 plaintiffs claim to have developed lung cancer due to their exposure. Lung cancer occurs when asbestos fibers cause scar tissue inside the lungs. Scar tissue interferes with oxygen exchange and eventually leads to death.

About 200 plaintiffs claim to have developed brain tumors due to their asbestos exposure. [17] Brain tumors are childhood’s most common solid tumor development and account for nearly half of all pediatric malignancies.

They usually affect children under age 15.

FAQs About AFFF Fire-fighting Foam Dangers

Our personal injury law firm understands that many families have questions about filing an AFFF lawsuit after being harmed by products containing dangerous aqueous film-forming foam or developing kidney cancer or other life-threatening medical conditions.

A fire-fighting foam attorney from our team has answered some of those questions below.

Contact our AFFF fire-fighting foam lawsuit law firm at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) for additional information.

Is AFFF Foam Toxic?

Studies have shown that AFFF firefighting film-forming foams were toxic, caused health issues, and developed some form of cancer. The worst part is that this has long been known even though these products were used for years afterward.

Studies have shown that firefighters exposed to firefighting foam have higher toxins in their bloodstream. However, our experienced firefighting foam lawyers are still learning the impact of these health risks.

OSHA considers AFFF foam hazardous because it can cause eye and skin irritation.

What Is in Firefighting Foam?

While firefighting foam is marketed as a “simple” mix of water, foam concentrate, and air, the truth is that the contents may be far more dangerous.

The danger comes from the possible presence of two different PFOA and PFOS compounds. These are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)[18] and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).

These toxic chemicals stay in the body indefinitely because they cannot go away chemically. Instead, they only build up in the body over time, wreaking havoc and causing severe conditions, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancer.

What Percentage of Finished Foam Is Water?

While a large percentage of firefighting foam is water, it does not remove the hazards people face when exposed to the foam.

About 94% of firefighting foam is mixed with water, and 6% of fire suppression foam is concentrated. The problem is that the foam concentrate contains hazardous substances not neutralized by the water.

Is Class A Foam Toxic?

Class A fire suppression foam is more than just toxic. If you ingest it, you die.

Exposure to AFFF foam irritates the eyes and skin, which is why OSHA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) characterize it as hazardous.

The dangers of AFFF firefighting foam are long-term effects on people exposed to it for a prolonged period.

Does Firefighting Foam Cause Cancer?

Polyfluoroalkyl substance PFAS is known as the “forever chemical,” and it stays in the body. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) can be a possible carcinogen when buildup occurs.

There have been cases of testicular, kidney, and bladder cancer linked to firefighting film-forming foams, which is why plaintiffs have been suing the makers of these products.

Firefighting foam cancer attorney: Representing AFFF Firefighting Foam MDL Cases

AFFF Fire-fighting Foam Lawyers for You & Your Family

To file your AFFF/PFAS exposure lawsuit, you will need an attorney to help draft your claim and present the evidence. There are numerous stages of a product liability lawsuit.

It can take several years of effort by your experienced fire-fighting foam lawyers to get your financial compensation, assuming that you are successful in the case.

You may be able to seek compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses. In addition, if your loved one developed cancer and died after being exposed to fire-fighting foam, you may also be eligible to file an AFFF lawsuit.

Contact the personal injury lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC today to learn more about your legal rights and how you can file an AFFF cancer lawsuit related to AFFF exposure.

Free Case Evaluation for AFFF Firefighter Foam Lawsuit

Our law firm offers each prospective client a free consultation, and you owe us no out-of-pocket expenses for your AFFF foam cancer lawsuit.

You can call our law firm anytime or complete the contact form and provide us with your phone number or email address, and our fire-fighting foam lawyers will contact you.

Our fire-fighting foam cancer lawyers are only paid after we have engaged in an attorney-client relationship and if you successfully recover compensation for the harm you have suffered.

Resources: [1] USFA, [2] NIH, [3] CDC, [4] EPA, [5] PFAS, [6] AFFF, [7] C&EN, [8] Department of Defense, [9] UsCourts, [10] Ils.gov, [11] Reuters, [12] WPTV, [13] Journal of Occupational Medicine, [14] FloridaToday.com, [15] Michigan Attorney General, [16] NIH, [17] PubMed, [18] CDC

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