Recent studies have shown that firefighters who worked with aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, face an increased risk of developing kidney cancer, testicular cancer, pancreatic cancer, or other types of cancer due to the toxic chemicals found in firefighting foam.
These revelations about the link between firefighting foam and cancer have prompted thousands of lawsuits against companies that manufacture AFFF from firefighters who became sick after exposure to these products.
Civilian, airport, Navy, and Air Force firefighters who worked with AFFF and have been diagnosed with cancer or other illnesses linked to fire foam may be eligible to file a lawsuit and receive compensation for their illnesses.
AFFF Firefighting Foam Linked to Increased Cancer Risk
AFFF was widely used at airports, in the military, and by civilian firefighters for decades to put out fires involving gasoline, jet fuel, or other flammable liquids.
Chemicals in firefighting foam known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are able to extinguish fires caused by combustible liquids by coating them and depriving the fire of oxygen.
However, exposure to PFAS – also known as “forever chemicals” – has also been linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including kidney cancer, multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, renal cancer, testicular cancer, and uterine or endometrial cancer, as well as thyroid disease and ulcerative colitis.
Firefighters who worked with AFFF and have been diagnosed with one of these diseases may qualify to file a lawsuit against the companies that manufacture firefighting foam.
Lawsuits Filed Against Manufacturers of AFFF Firefighting Foam
Since the link between AFFF and an increased cancer risk was made public, hundreds of firefighters have come forward to file lawsuits against the companies whose products may have caused them to develop kidney cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, or other types of cancers.
Lawsuits filed against 3M, DuPont, and other manufacturers of firefighting foam have revealed that these companies knew about the cancer risks associated with the chemicals in AFFF for decades, but failed to warn firefighters about the dangers to which they were being exposed.
Individuals who may qualify to file an AFFF lawsuit include civilian firefighters, firefighter trainees, Navy firefighters, Air Force firefighters, and firefighters who worked at airports or the aviation industry and have been diagnosed with cancer.
Companies such as Chemours, DuPont and Corteva have already been forced to pay billions of dollars in settlements over allegations that the ”forever chemicals” in AFFF caused groundwater contamination that poisoned public water systems across the U.S.
Firefighters With Cancer From AFFF May Qualify to File a Lawsuit
If you or a loved one worked as a civilian, airport, Navy, or Air Force firefighter where AFFF was used and have been diagnosed with kidney cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, or other cancers linked to firefighting foam, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and receive compensation for your illness.
The first step in filing your claim is to contact a lawyer with experience in handling cases involving product liability and toxic torts litigation. An experienced attorney can advise you regarding your legal rights and guide you through the initial steps involved in taking legal action.
After helping you to determine whether you or your loved one meet the criteria to file an AFFF lawsuit, your attorney can help you gather any medical records or other evidence that are necessary to prove your claim, and help you begin the process of taking legal action to help you receive the settlement that you deserve.
