If you developed cancer after exposure to the dangerous chemicals in firefighting foam, you should contact Mass Tort Alliance immediately to learn about your legal options. You may be entitled to financial compensation from the manufacturer for the harm you suffered. We can review your case and put you in touch with an attorney that can represent you. You deserve to seek justice for your devastating diagnosis and the resulting expenses.
We have the experience and resources to connect you with a qualified and dedicated lawyer who can handle the legal aspects of your case while you treat your disease. You won’t be alone during this traumatic time in your life. You will have a compassionate legal team on your side that will provide the support and guidance you need.
Firefighting foam has been an effective tool for extinguishing fires. Unfortunately, it also contains toxic substances that have been found to increase the risk of cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, and testicular cancer. The manufacturing companies were aware of the dangers while they were selling the foam but failed to notify users of the potential adverse effects. You have an opportunity to file a lawsuit against them and recover the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is a fire-suppressing foam mainly used by firefighters. It first hit the market in the 1960s and has been popular among industries where there are highly flammable materials. The foam works by creating a blanket of aqueous film that can cover and extinguish petroleum and jet fuel fires.
The most common places people use AFF are:
The foam contains toxic chemicals that can affect a person’s health if they’re exposed to it. Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are the two substances that make the firefighting foam so effective. However, they don’t dilute, degrade, or disappear. Instead, they remain where they are placed and can travel through the soil, contaminating both the soil and drinking water. If someone inhales these substances, they remain in the body and lead to health problems.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified PFOA and PFAS as being possibly carcinogenic to humans. That means they pose a risk to anyone that comes in contact with them.
Studies show an increased risk of various medical conditions and diseases from exposure to the toxic chemicals in firefighting foam. They include:
There’s also a risk of developing some form of cancer, such as:
If you have cancer or another illness and believe it’s because you used firefighting foam, you should immediately reach out to Mass Tort Alliance. The sooner you find a lawyer to take on your case, the sooner you can seek the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Multiple companies have been facing lawsuits for their role in exposing individuals to dangerous chemicals. They knew about the risks but continued to manufacture and supply firefighting foam to different industries worldwide. They should have warned the public about the harm their product could cause but chose to place profit over safety.
The different companies you could file a firefighting foam lawsuit against include:
You should hold the manufacturer accountable for what they’ve done, so no one else has to suffer. PFAS and PFOA don’t only increase a person’s risk for cancer but also wreak havoc on the environment. These chemicals can make their way into drinking water, food, and even into homeowners’ backyards. People who have never used firefighting foam could suffer the adverse side effects if they live near an airport, military base, or another area that uses AFFF.
If you want to file a lawsuit, there’s a procedure you must follow. One of the most important aspects of a case like this is the deadline. You must follow the civil statute of limitations if you want to sue the manufacturer for compensation for your losses. A statute of limitations is a timeframe for filing a lawsuit. If you don’t file by the time the statute expires, you could lose your right to hold these AFFF companies accountable for the suffering you endured.
Whether you choose to file an insurance claim or lawsuit, there are multiple losses you can seek compensation for. These losses might be economic, emotional, or physical. They can also include all past and future losses you suffered or will suffer as a result of your exposure to PFAS and PFOA.
Examples include:
Your lawyer will review all the details of your case to determine the financial award you should receive for your total losses. You should not be left with any expenses or costs to pay out-of-pocket. The at-fault manufacturer and their insurance company should be the ones responsible for your medical bills and other losses. Various factors could contribute to the monetary value of your case, such as:
These are just some of the contributing factors your legal team may consider when they’re calculating your losses and coming up with the correct number to demand from the at-fault manufacturer. Generally, the worse the impact of a dangerous product, the higher the amount of compensation a person should receive.
Firefighters and military bases began using AFFF to fight fires that were challenging to extinguish. By the end of the 1960s, studies found possible health issues connected to PFAS exposure, including problems with the adrenal glands, liver, and other organs.
More research determined PFAS could stay in the blood of an animal and human long-term, causing consistent exposure to the toxic chemical. Despite these findings, manufacturing companies chose to keep selling their product and didn’t provide warning labels, so users were unaware of the risks they were exposed to.
The Air Force performed a study on animals to learn about the dangers AFFF could pose on the environment and humans exposed to the dangerous substances. In an internal report published in 1985, the Navy discussed the toxic effects.
The Army believed the chemicals in firefighting foam were so toxic that they pleaded with Fort Carson not to use it anymore. One of the manufacturers of AFFF, Dupont, knew that testicular cancer could develop from using their product but didn’t inform the Environmental Protection Agency.
Additional studies determined more side effects could result from exposure to PFAS in firefighting foam. Researchers noted an increased risk of cancer, impacts to the liver and thyroid, and hormonal changes. They also found a probable link to testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and other cancer types.
Emory University scientists found a three-fold increased risk of mesothelioma in Dupont workers exposed to C8, another dangerous chemical in the firefighting foam. They also discovered a two-fold increased risk of different forms of cancer, including kidney cancer.
Many cases are pending in the courts, but some have already reached settlements.
DuPont and Chemours settled for $670.7 million in 3,550 lawsuits for environmental pollution of PFOA.
A man with testicular cancer claimed his drinking water became contaminated with PFOA and was awarded $50 million by the jury to be paid by DuPont.
Our staff members will be there to help you in your fight for justice. We believe individuals and families affected by firefighting foam should secure the compensation they need to compensate for their losses.
Our call center is open 24/7, so we don’t miss your call.
We make our intake process easy, so you can begin your case with a qualified lawyer immediately.
You will receive the one-on-one attention you deserve from a knowledgeable and dedicated professional.
We will evaluate your case for free and determine if you’re eligible for a lawsuit.
At Mass Tort Alliance, we want to help you achieve your legal goals. You will have a compassionate team in your corner that will advocate for your rights. You can depend on your attorney to fight by your side until the very end.
Contact us today and let us help you on the road to recovery.