Expect An AFFF Litigation Wave As Firefighters Confront Cancer Risks and Seek Justice
Exploring the surge of AFFF-related lawsuits by firefighters against manufacturers over cancer links due to PFAS exposure.
Monday, April 15, 2024 - In recent years, a growing body of litigation has emerged concerning the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), particularly among firefighters. Many AFFF lawsuits allege that exposure to PFAS chemicals in AFFF has led to various cancers, including testicular cancer. According to AboutLawsuits.com, AFFF lawsuits have been consolidated into a multi-district litigation (MDL) overseen by the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, addressing claims against major manufacturers like 3M, DuPont, and Tyco Fire Products. Notably, plaintiffs like Gary Flook have come forward, alleging that "as a direct result of being exposed to AFFF chemicals during his time as a firefighter for the Air Force, he developed testicular cancer". The process of these lawsuits often involves bellwether trials, which help gauge potential outcomes of similar cases by presenting certain cases as representatives. As of early 2024, numerous cases are pending, with several focusing specifically on injuries like kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and thyroid disease. Bellwether trials are critical as they provide a barometer for potential settlement amounts and outcomes in subsequent cases. Other plaintiffs include individuals like Michael Johnson and Susan Diaz, who allege that AFFF exposure significantly contributed to their testicular and thyroid cancers, respectively according to an article in AboutLawsuits.com, a leading publication on the topic.
The ongoing legal actions have brought attention to the wider health effects of PFAS exposure, affecting not only firemen but also members of the armed forces and other groups who may be similarly affected. Because PFAS remain in both the environment and the human body, they are sometimes referred to as "forever chemicals" and carry a number of long-term health hazards, such as cancer and other major illnesses. Growing public and governmental concern over the health effects of these chemicals has resulted in legislative measures to regulate the use and cleaning of PFAS compounds. For individuals affected by exposure to AFFF, the legal landscape offers a path to compensation, though navigating it can be complex. Law firms specializing in such cases emphasize the importance of timely action due to statutes of limitation and the necessity of linking medical evidence of cancer to PFAS exposure. With ongoing trials and increasing awareness, affected individuals are encouraged to seek legal counsel to explore their options for recourse and compensation. This complex situation underlines not only the severe impacts on individual lives but also the broader implications for public health policy moving forward. Significant public health issues have been brought to light by the AFFF lawsuits, which have also sparked activism and changes to policy. Proponents like veteran Air Force firefighter Kevin Ferrara and groups like the Environmental Working Group have played a key role in pressuring government agencies and industry to adhere to stricter rules and provide greater transparency. Their initiatives seek to lessen the health hazards linked to PFAS and guarantee that those impacted by these substances get the assistance and justice they need. As these court cases go on, they symbolize not only a struggle for personal justice but also a larger movement in favor of environmental protection and public health advocacy Popular Science reports.
OnderLaw, LLC and The Overholt Law Firm, PC -