AFFF Exposure Liability

Who Can Be Held Liable for AFFF Exposure?

Several parties can potentially be held liable for cancer caused by AFFF exposure and other serious medical conditions, depending on the specific circumstances of your case. Companies that may be the subject of AFFF lawsuits include:

• 3M
• Dupont
• Tyco/Chemguard
• Kidde

The U.S. government may also be liable for AFFF-related injuries. If you’ve been harmed by AFFF exposure, consulting with an attorney can help identify liable parties in your specific situation. Click here to learn more about the symptoms of AFFF exposure.

Establishing Liability in AFFF Cases

Manufacturer liability is often a primary focus in AFFF lawsuits. One central claim is failure to warn, where plaintiffs argue that manufacturers knew or should have known about the dangers of AFFF but failed to inform users or the public adequately. This can include:

• Insufficient labeling
• Downplaying risks in marketing materials
• Withholding information about potential health hazards

Defective product claims are another avenue, asserting that AFFF was inherently dangerous due to its PFAS content, making it unreasonably hazardous for its intended use despite its effectiveness in firefighting.

User liability can also come into play, particularly for large-scale users like government agencies. This might involve claims that these entities continued to use AFFF despite growing evidence of its risks, failed to properly train personnel in safe handling procedures, or didn’t take adequate measures to prevent harm.

Proving Causation

A significant challenge in AFFF cases is proving causation. While growing scientific evidence links PFAS exposure to various health issues, establishing a direct causal link between a specific individual’s AFFF exposure and their health condition can be complex.

Despite these challenges, the growing body of scientific research on PFAS health effects strengthens the ability to establish causation in many cases. Generally, plaintiffs in AFFF lawsuits include civilian and military firefighters and non-firefighters who were exposed to AFFF on several occasions.

Why Victims of AFFF Exposure Deserve Compensation From Liable Parties

Victims of health conditions linked to AFFF exposure deserve compensation for several compelling reasons:

• Severity of health impacts: AFFF exposure has been associated with serious health conditions that can be life-altering or even life-threatening, often requiring extensive medical treatment, reducing quality of life, and potentially shortening life expectancy.
• Lack of knowledge of risk: In many cases, individuals exposed to AFFF were not adequately informed about the potential risks associated with the chemicals it contains. This is particularly true for occupational exposures.
• Corporate responsibility: Evidence suggests that some manufacturers were aware of the potential dangers of PFAS chemicals in AFFF but failed to warn users or the public adequately. Compensation serves as a form of accountability for these actions.
• Environmental damage: AFFF contamination has led to widespread environmental pollution, affecting water sources. Compensation can help fund necessary remediation efforts.
• Prevention of future harm: Lawsuits and compensation claims can incentivize companies to develop safer alternatives and implement better safety measures, potentially preventing future exposures.
• Support for affected families: Health conditions resulting from AFFF exposure don’t just affect the individual; they impact entire families. Compensation can provide crucial financial support for families dealing with the consequences of these illnesses.
• Recognition of suffering: Compensation serves as an acknowledgment of the pain, suffering, and life disruptions that victims have endured due to AFFF-related health issues.

Ultimately, compensation for AFFF exposure victims is about justice, accountability, and providing necessary support to those whose lives have been significantly impacted by these chemicals.