PFAS Lawsuit FAQs

Who Can File a PFAS Lawsuit?

You may be eligible for a PFAS lawsuit if you can answer “yes” to the following:

Were You Exposed to PFAS?

Manufacturers use PFAS, also called “forever chemicals,” to make many common household products, including nonstick cookware, grease-resistant food packaging, water and fire-resistant fabrics, carpets and upholstery, and firefighting foam.

These hazardous chemicals do not degrade and remain in the environment for decades (in some cases indefinitely). People become exposed through contact with products containing PFAS and with PFAS that have migrated into the soil, groundwater, and drinking water during production.

If you drank PFAS-contaminated water (or lived or worked in an area with contaminated water), you may qualify for a PFAS lawsuit.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PFAS exposure can occur through:

• Drinking PFAS-contaminated water from private or municipal water wells
• Swallowing or breathing PFAS-contaminated soil or dust
• Swallowing or breathing residue or dust from products containing PFAS
• Eating food packaged in materials containing PFAS
• Eating vegetables, meat, or dairy produced near entities using or manufacturing PFAS
• Eating fish caught in PFAS-contaminated water

An attorney can help you determine whether you qualify.

Do You Have a Health Condition Caused by PFAS?

You may join a PFAS legal action if you or your loved one received a diagnosis of an illness or condition caused by PFAS. According to Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, research links PFAS to the following medical problems:

• Kidney cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Liver damage
• Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis)

Studies show that PFAS can also harm infants in the womb. Babies exposed to PFAS during gestation can have health issues after birth, including low birth weight, early onset puberty, and decreased response to vaccines.

Do You Have Damages?

To sue for PFAS exposure, you must have proof that your medical problem caused financial damages and pain and suffering.

What Is the Average PFAS Lawsuit Settlement?

PFAS lawsuit compensation can vary widely based on factors unique to each claim, so there is no “average” PFAS lawsuit settlement. Your recoverable damages will depend on your age, current wages, the severity of your medical condition, health care costs, and more.

However, in general, PFAS injury compensation may include:

• Current and future medical expenses. You can pursue the cost of necessary medical treatment, including diagnostic testing, chemotherapy and radiation, medical procedures, hospitalizations, medications, medical devices and equipment, physical therapy, nursing services, and ongoing care.
• Lost income. You can pursue lost wages and employment benefits, lost future earnings, and lost earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering. You can recover monetary awards for mental anguish, emotional distress, chronic and severe pain, disabling and permanent injuries, loss of enjoyment, and reduced quality of life.
• Punitive damages. The court may order defendants to pay punitive damages to plaintiffs in cases involving intentional wrongdoing or gross misconduct. While these damages are rare, courts may award them in some instances.

What Options Do I Have to Sue for PFAS Contamination?

DuPont, 3M, and The Chemours Company are just a few of the major manufacturers named in thousands of PFAS lawsuits. Because many plaintiffs have accused these companies of similar harm, the courts have combined cases into multidistrict litigation (MDLs).

Mass tort lawsuits allow the courts to streamline and expedite the legal process but still rule on cases individually. Unlike in a class action lawsuit where the court makes one ruling, plaintiffs can seek individual settlements based on their actual damages.

MDLs can also benefit plaintiffs by reducing their costs and legal burdens. Mass torts also allow plaintiffs to band together to take on wealthy and powerful defendants.

What Is the PFAS Lawsuit Statute of Limitations?

You must pursue your case before your state’s statute of limitations for product liability expires. Depending on where you live, you could have as little as one year or as long as six to file a lawsuit, though most states allow two years. If the deadline passes, the court will likely refuse your case, even if you have a solid claim.

Our law firm partners can help you determine the deadline in your state and manage it on your behalf.

Do I Need a PFAS Lawsuit Lawyer?

Without a doubt, the companies you will face in a PFAS lawsuit will have teams of lawyers behind them. You deserve someone to represent you and your best interests. Working with a PFAS lawsuit lawyer can give you an ally who can protect your rights, build your case, and fight for full and fair compensation. An attorney can:

• Answer your questions about mass tort litigation
• Help you join an MDL and file your case before your state’s statute of limitations expires
• Identify and calculate your losses
• Prepare and file paperwork
• Track and manage deadlines
• Handle case-related phone calls, emails, and meetings, and make appearances for you when possible
• Investigate your claim and gather evidence, including medical records, medical and scientific research, and expert testimony
• Prove your financial damages using bills, pay stubs, and estimates
• Negotiate the compensation you need
• Represent you at trial if necessary
• Provide you with frequent and timely case updates