Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), a type of firefighting foam, has been used by firefighters in both military and civilian units to suppress fires for decades. It has been used both in training and practice for firefighters across the country for years due to its effectiveness.
Sadly, chemicals contained in firefighting foam may increase the risk of different types of cancer, resulting in firefighting foam lawsuits. Thousands of AFFF lawsuits have been filed – including both firefighter cancer lawsuits and water contamination lawsuits – and are being pursued against manufacturers of firefighting foam.
People diagnosed with testicular cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, or other types of cancer following exposure to PFAS chemicals in AFFF are seeking justice through legal action.
PFAS chemicals are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.”
Some PFAS can accumulate and stay in the human body for a long time, and long-term exposure to PFAS causes a buildup in the body that has the potential to result in negative health effects, according to the U.S. Fire Administration of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
If you or a loved one were exposed to this foam, particularly if you were a firefighter, and later developed cancer, you may be entitled to compensation from an AFFF lawsuit. Please don’t delay in contacting the committed team of attorneys at Phillips Law Group for a review of your case.
You can contact our team by filling out the form on this page, or by calling us at (602) 222-2222. Please don’t hesitate to call and see how we can help you or your loved one secure justice!
Since the 1970s, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has used firefighting foam, called Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), in training exercises and situations with real fires in the Navy and other branches of the military.
By the 1980s, studies on the chemicals used in the firefighting foam found that it could pose serious environmental and health risks to those who were exposed. Yet despite the warnings, the manufacturers of the foam, as well as the DoD, continued to use the product to fight fires, putting civilian and military firefighters at risk.
If you or a loved one have been exposed to this firefighting foam and were diagnosed with cancer, such as breast cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate or testicular cancer, you may be eligible to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages. There are more than 1,700 lawsuits over this dangerous chemical, including a class action that settled for $17.5 million.
At Phillips Law Group we have obtained hundreds of millions in compensation for our clients. PartnerJeff Phillipshas served as lead counsel in more than 40 jury trials and works closely with other lawyers throughout the nation to help those who have been harmed by defective products.
The initial consultation is free and there are no fees while working on your case. Our attorneys do not get paid unless you do.
Call today to schedule a free consultation: 602-222-2222
Am I Eligible for Compensation?
If you were diagnosed with an illness that has been linked to AFFF exposure or lost someone due to an illness caused by AFFF, you may be eligible for compensation.
People who have been exposed to AFFF, whether directly with the foam or from water contaminated with it, have developed cancers such as:
- Kidney
- Pancreatic
- Testicular
- Prostate
- Leukemia
- Breast
- Ovarian
- Bladder
- Non-Hodgkin’s and other lymphomas
More studies have found a link between AFFF and the following illnesses:
- Kidney damage
- Multiple myeloma
There are many questions our attorneys may have for you as we look to determine if you may have a valid claim. For example:
- How were you exposed to AFFF firefighting foam?
- Did you work in a high-risk job, such as an airport or military firefighter?
- When were you diagnosed with an AFFF-related illness?
If the person who was directly affected is not healthy enough to file suit, a direct family member, such as a spouse or child, may be able to file a lawsuit on their behalf.
Direct family members may also have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a loved one who passed due to an injury or illness caused by the negligence of another.
While each case is different, it is generally true that those who hire attorneys recover more compensation compared to those who do not. Phillips Law Group’s attorneys have decades of combined experience and are prepared to manage the legal process on your behalf.
Call us Today at 602-222-2222 . No Upfront Fees or Obligations.
Who is Most at Risk for Exposure?
People who are most at risk of exposure to AFFF are those who work, or worked, as firefighters. This includes military and civilian firefighters, particularly those who worked at airports, as the foam was favored for putting out jet fuel fires. The Federal Aviation Administration required airports to use foam that contained PFAS until 2018, in accordance with U.S. Navy regulations.
Those who live on or near military bases may also be at a higher risk of exposure due to AFFF getting into the water system in many of these communities. Others who may be at risk of exposure include airport and chemical plant workers.
How Much is an AFFF Lawsuit Worth?
It is difficult to determine how much a case may be worth without knowing all the facts, so it would be in your best interest to discuss your claim with one of our licensed attorneys to determine how much you may be able to recover.
Johnson Controls, one of the manufacturers of the AFFF foam, agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit for $17.5 million in June 2021. The settlement applied to 300 homes with approximately 1,200 residents in Marinette/Peshtigo. The plaintiffs had claimed chemicals in the firefighting foam contaminated drinking water.
Other manufacturer liability claims with similar facts generally result in recovery for medical bills, lost wages, loss of consortium, pain and suffering and other damages. You may also be able to recover compensation for these and other damages if your attorney can validate your case.
We can discuss the value of your potential case in a free consultation. If we validate your claim and you hire our firm, our goal will be to recover maximum compensation for past and future damages. We know how important compensation can be after suffering a serious injury or being diagnosed with a serious illness.
What is AFFF?
In 1966, the Navy granted a patent for a firefighting foam called Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), a man-made fire suppressant used to put out liquid fires, like fuel fires. The foam is commonly used in shipboard and shore facility fire suppression systems, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation. It can also be found in firefighting vehicles and at fire training facilities.
AFFF contains several toxic chemicals, such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that make it extremely difficult to break down, creating serious environmental and health risks.
Studies conducted by branches of the armed forces, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have shown that AFFF was positively linked to serious illnesses and diseases and recommended that the Department of Defense find an alternative to AFFF.
In 2001, DoD and EPA officials held a meeting to discuss the military’s use of PFAS and AFFF where EPA scientists recommended the phasing out of the chemicals. It was not until 2016 that the DoD directed branches of the military to prevent uncontrolled environmental releases of AFFF with proper disposal.
Have Any AFFF Lawsuits Been Filed?
Several lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of the AFFF foam, including a class-action lawsuit filed inFebruary 2020 by the National Rural Water Association (NRWA)claims that the manufacturers were aware that AFFF and PFAS chemicals are toxic to animals and humans, are not biodegradable, and can easily move through soil and groundwater, yet continued to make and market the chemicals.
Other lawsuits filed against 3M, DuPont Co., and many others claim companies knew the risks yet continued to put firefighting foam on the market.
The $17.5 million settlement agreed to by Johnson Controls is the first to come from multidistrict litigation (MDL) being managed in South Carolina. As of October 15, 2021, there were 1,710 actions pending in this MDL. There are 10 bellwether cases selected for this MDL and they are getting closer to trial.
The cases in this MDL are against dozens of defendants who either manufactured or distributed AFFF and its constituent chemicals.
Let Us Review Your Claim, Call Today
If you think you or your loved one’s cancer was caused by exposure to AFFF, it would be in your best interest to get into contact with one of our attorneys so we may be able to review your claim.
We do not charge anything up front and only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf. Our consultation is also free with no obligation to take any legal action.
Our firm has recovered millions in damages for countless injury victims for nearly three decades.
Local. Licensed. Lawyers. Call today: 602-222-2222