Who Should File an AFFF Lawsuit? - Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), often referred to as “firefighting foam,” is a substance that has long been used to extinguish petroleum or oil-based fires.
Many military personnel, firefighters, and airport employees have been exposed to AFFF for years. In the past, The EPA, CDC, and American Cancer Society have warned people about the link between AFFF and various cancers.
People who were affected by AFFF and then later developed cancer may be eligible for money from the primary makers of AFFF–3M and DuPont. There are many thousands of AFFF lawsuits pending, many of which were recently combined into a federal multi-district lawsuit. Who can be the first to file an AFFF lawsuit? What is the best way to prepare before taking legal action?
What is AFFF?
Aqueous foam that forms films is a kind of firefighting foam specifically designed to put out fuel-based fires that don’t respond well to water- or water-based firefighting products. AFFF is a chemical mixture known as polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) chemicals. These chemicals aren’t biodegradable and can accumulate in the body in time. The PFAS chemicals have been linked to a variety of kinds of cancer.
The AFFF Lawsuit
The connection between AFFF and cancer was discovered. Many who sustained AFFF exposure and then had cancer filed suit against 3M, DuPont, and other companies that make firefighting foam in federal and state courts. The lawsuits involving firefighting foam for cancer asserted that the makers knew for a long time that AFFF was a risk for users; however, they did not warn businesses and consumers about the dangers or advise them to take steps when using AFFF.
The federal lawsuits are now consolidated into a single Multi-District Litigation (MDL).
Typically, plaintiffs who are awarded settlement funds in the AFFF settlement would comprise:
- The people who were exposed to foam to fight fires for a time of time
- People whose cancer or another health condition hindered them from working or caused them to incur substantial medical expenses
- Patients with a severe and difficult-to-treat form of cancer, such as
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Prostate cancer
Occupations That Have Been Exposed to AFFF
People who have been exposed the AFFF for a prolonged period are at greater risk than other people of developing cancers caused by PFAS. But, some jobs carry a higher risk of developing cancer due to AFFF exposure. They include:
- Military Personnel (both active and former members and former members)
- The people who worked at the military base as a contractor
- Civilian firefighters, as well as Military firefighters
- Airport workers
- Chemical industry employees
- Workers on the oil rigs and petroleum processing workers
While “firefighting foam” or “firefighting foam” is often used with AFFF, the Military has the most significant exposure to AFFF. People in Middle Eastern areas are especially likely to have been exposed to AFFF. In addition, those working on offshore platforms or near industrial sites with oil-based fires may be exposed to the chemical compounds in the foam used to fight fires.
How the The Justice Now Can Help
The The Justice Now has a nationwide reputation for handling toxic tort cases and AFFF lawsuits. The experts of the Justice Now are there to help you navigate this ever-changing lawsuit and provide you with the direction and guidance you require to ensure that your case is dealt with professionally. Please fill out the form to set up a complimentary consultation, and one of our highly experienced lawyers will contact you.
Frequently Asked Questions: AFFFs
Is AFFF Toxic?
- AFFF isn’t a danger by itself; in other words, anyone who’s experienced exposure to AFFF at least once won’t immediately experience its negative adverse effects. However, it is known that the PFOS and PFAS present in AFFF can cause cancer with prolonged exposure.
What Are the Health Effects of PFAS?
- Alongside increasing the chance of developing pancreatic, kidney, breast, prostate, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers, PFAS could increase the likelihood of developing blood and circulatory system cancers such as leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It can increase the risk of liver diseases such as cirrhosis. Because the liver’s primary function is to remove waste from the body, it can accumulate more PFAS than other organs.
Are PFAS Still Used?
- Certain types of PFAS have been eliminated because of health concerns for humans. But, several PFAS are utilized in a range of consumer items, such as packaging for food in plastic containers to cookware and pots.
What Should You Do if Your AFFF Exposure Caused Illness?
- At the The Justice Now, we have earned a reputation nationwide for handling toxic tort cases such as those in the AFFF lawsuit. Our lawyers are ready to guide you through these complex procedures and offer the advice you need to ensure your claim is promptly and professionally managed. For a free consultation with an expert from our team, please fill out the questionnaire on our Contact Us page, and one of our experts will contact you shortly.
