AFFF Lawsuit Attorney

AFF Lawsuit Lawyers Explain AFFF and Its Risks

AFFF, or Aqueous Film-Forming Foam, is a type of firefighting foam widely used since the 1960s to combat fires involving flammable liquids, such as oil, gasoline, and jet fuel. The foam works by creating a blanket over the surface of the burning liquid, smothering the fire and preventing reignition.

One of the key ingredients in AFFF is a group of synthetic chemicals known as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals are incredibly stable and persistent in the environment, meaning they do not break down. This persistence, combined with their widespread use, has led to growing concerns about the potential health risks associated with PFAS exposure.

The presence of PFAS in AFFF has come under scrutiny in recent years as evidence has emerged linking these chemicals to a range of serious AFFF-related symptoms and health problems. As a result, many governments and organizations have taken steps to phase out the use of AFFF-containing PFAS and address these chemicals’ environmental and health impacts.

Health Risks Associated With AFFF Exposure

Exposure to AFFF-containing PFAS chemicals has been linked to a wide range of serious health risks. Some of the most significant health risks of AFFF exposure include types of cancers like kidney, testicular, liver, and thyroid. Other potential health effects of AFFF exposure include thyroid disease and ulcerative colitis.

The body of evidence linking PFAS chemicals to these serious health problems has raised significant concerns about the long-term impacts of AFFF use on the health of firefighters, military personnel, and communities near sites where the foam has been used. In addition to AFFF lawsuits on behalf of military and civilian firefighters, PFAS lawsuit lawyers are pursuing claims for clients affected forever by chemicals in contaminated water.

Who Can File a Claim for AFFF Exposure?

Anyone exposed to AFFF and the toxic PFAS chemicals it contains may be eligible to pursue an AFFF lawsuit. In particular, military and civilian firefighters may qualify to pursue a claim. Note: all Navy personnel are considered firefighters.

These groups are at a higher risk of exposure due to their direct contact with AFFF. Non-firefighters may qualify to pursue an AFFF lawsuit if they were exposed to AFFF on several occasions.

However, it is crucial to recognize that PFAS chemicals can persist in the environment and spread through water, potentially affecting a wider population beyond these high-risk groups. Those affected by PFAS in their community’s drinking water may pursue a PFAS lawsuit.

The Legal Basis for AFFF Lawsuits

The legal basis for AFFF lawsuits stems from the allegations that AFFF and PFAS chemical manufacturers have long been aware of the potential health risks associated with these products.

Evidence suggests that some manufacturers may have known about the harmful effects of PFAS for decades but continued to produce and market AFFF without disclosing these risks to the public, the military, or firefighters. This alleged knowledge and failure to act responsibly form the foundation for legal action against these companies.

AFFF exposure liability typically involves several legal theories, including product liability, negligence, strict liability, and breach of warranty:

• Under product liability law, manufacturers can be held accountable for designing, manufacturing, or selling a defective product that harms users.
• Negligence claims assert that the manufacturers failed to exercise reasonable care in ensuring the safety of their products and warning users of potential risks.
• Strict liability holds manufacturers responsible for damages caused by their products, regardless of fault or intent.
• Finally, breach of warranty claims argues that the manufacturers violated express or implied warranties regarding the safety and fitness of their products.

By pursuing these legal theories, AFFF lawsuit lawyers seek to hold manufacturers accountable for the harm caused by their products and secure compensation for the victims of AFFF exposure. Call us today to get started on the road to justice and learn how our co-counsel partners can help.

The AFFF Lawsuit Landscape

The AFFF lawsuit landscape is complex and constantly evolving. When dangerous products harm individuals, various types of legal actions may be pursued. These lawsuits can be categorized into three main types: individual lawsuits, class action lawsuits, and multidistrict litigation (MDL):

• Individual lawsuits are filed by a single person or family seeking compensation for the specific damages they have suffered due to AFFF exposure.
• Class action lawsuits involve a group of plaintiffs with similar claims against the same defendant or group of defendants, intending to obtain relief for the entire class.
• Multidistrict litigation (MDL) is a federal legal procedure that consolidates similar cases from different jurisdictions into a single court for pre-trial proceedings. This streamlines the legal process and promotes consistency in rulings.

As of 2023, numerous AFFF lawsuits are still pending in courts across the country, with many more expected to be filed as awareness of the issue grows.

Recent AFF Lawsuits and Settlements

Several notable AFFF lawsuits and settlements have emerged in recent years, drawing widespread public attention to the scale and severity of the AFFF exposure problem. These successful claims against AFFF manufacturers include:

• In 2018, 3M, a major manufacturer of AFFF, agreed to pay $850 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the State of Minnesota for environmental damage caused by PFAS contamination.
• In 2021, a group of AFFF manufacturers, including Corteva, DuPont, and Chemours, agreed to pay $10.3 billion to settle a class action lawsuit brought by communities across the United States affected by PFAS contamination in their drinking water.

As more people harmed by AFFF exposure become aware of their right to file a compensation claim, we can expect more lawsuits in the future. These lawsuits will likely involve a wide range of plaintiffs, from firefighters and military personnel to residents of communities near contaminated sites.

Damages Your AFFF Lawsuit Attorney Can Seek in Your Lawsuit

If you have been harmed by exposure to Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) and decide to file a lawsuit, you may be able to claim various types of damages, depending on the specific circumstances of your case. Damages are the monetary compensation awarded to plaintiffs to help make them whole for the losses they have suffered.

In an AFFF lawsuit, your attorney may seek the following types of damages:

Economic damages: These are the quantifiable financial losses you have incurred as a result of your AFFF exposure and related health problems. Economic damages may include:

• Medical expenses (past and future) for treatment, medication, hospitalization, and therapy
• Lost wages and benefits due to missed work or reduced earning capacity
• Out-of-pocket expenses related to your health problems, such as travel costs for medical appointments

Non-economic damages: These are the intangible losses you have suffered as a result of your AFFF exposure and related health problems. Non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium (for spouses)

The specific damages you can claim in your AFFF lawsuit will depend on the unique facts of your case and the laws of the state in which you file your claim. An experienced AFFF lawsuit attorney from our partner law firms can help you assess the full extent of your damages and work to secure the maximum compensation possible for your losses.

It’s important to note that while some damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages, can be relatively easy to quantify, others, such as pain and suffering, can be more challenging. Your attorney will use various methods to help determine the appropriate amount of damages to seek in your case.

How an AFFF Lawsuit Lawyer Can Help

An AFFF lawsuit lawyer can play a crucial role in helping victims of AFFF exposure seek justice and compensation for the damages they have suffered. One of the most important tasks our partner attorneys will perform on your behalf is investigating and gathering evidence to prove your claim. This can include medical records, expert witness testimony, and documentation of AFFF exposure.

By conducting thorough investigations and gathering crucial evidence, such as medical records, exposure history, and expert witness testimony, AFFF lawsuit lawyers from our partner firms build strong cases on behalf of their clients. They assess each client’s unique situation to determine their eligibility for an AFFF lawsuit and guide them through the process of filing a complaint and navigating the complex legal system.

Your attorney will work tirelessly to advocate for your rights and interests throughout the litigation process. Ultimately, an AFFF lawsuit lawyer’s goal is to secure fair compensation for your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, future earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Why Choose AFFF Lawyers From Our Partner Law Firms?

The Goldwater Law Firm and its partner firms have the resources to take on large corporations and their legal teams, leveling the playing field for our clients. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that AFFF exposure can take on individuals and their families, and all the attorneys at our partner firms are committed to providing personalized attention and support throughout the legal process.

Our partner law firms operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not face any upfront costs when you choose to work with our AFFF attorneys. Your attorney only receives an attorney fee if they successfully secure compensation on your behalf, ensuring that you can pursue justice without added financial strain.

When you choose to work with AFFF lawyers through the Goldwater Law Firm’s partner firms, you can trust that you have a dedicated and experienced legal team on your side, committed to fighting for compensation and justice. We believe in holding manufacturers accountable when their products harm civilian and military firefighters, and we are here to guide you through every step of the process.