Firefighting Foam and AFFF Lawsuits

AFFF firefighting foam has been a standard issue for military and civilian firefighters for 50 years. It's highly effective at putting out fires involving gasoline, oil and jet fuel. But AFFF contains PFAS - toxic "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment or the human body. With repeated exposure over time, PFAS chemicals accumulate and can cause serious health effects.

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Various cancers have been linked to PFAS chemicals in animals and humans. Studies of firefighters show higher rates of cancer compared to the general population. Firefighters with the most exposure to burning petrochemicals and PFAS firefighting foams have the greatest cancer risk.

Thousands of current and former firefighters have filed lawsuits after being diagnosed with cancer linked to AFFF firefighting foams. Defendants include foam manufacturers like 3M, Tyco, Chemguard, and National Foam. 

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These lawsuits allege that AFFF manufacturers knew or should have known PFAS chemicals were toxic - yet continued to produce them without appropriate warnings. This willful disregard for human health has led firefighters and their families to develop cancers later in life.

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If you or a loved one has cancer after working as a firefighter using AFFF foam, you may have a case. The first step is to consult with qualified lung cancer lawyers about your legal options.

Pursuing a toxic tort lawsuit against large corporations requires extensive legal experience. Lung cancer lawyers know how to build strong cases by:

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• Investigating PFAS exposure during your firefighting career
• Linking this exposure to your cancer diagnosis
• Proving negligence by foam manufacturers
• Navigating complex litigation across multiple defendants
• Securing expert testimony from doctors and scientists
• Maximizing compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain/suffering

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An experienced lung cancer law firm has the resources and knowledge to give your case the best chance of a favorable outcome. This includes getting your case in front of the right judges when diverse defendants try to move cases out of plaintiff-friendly courts.

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When dealing with serious health issues like lung cancer, the last thing you need is a legal team that doesn’t know what they’re doing. Get the support you deserve from qualified lung cancer lawyers at Braver Law.

If you or a loved one has lung cancer after firefighting, the lung cancer lawyers at Braver Law are here to help. We are compassionate advocates for firefighters and their families. Our firm has decades of experience holding corporations accountable and securing justice for clients.

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We offer free case evaluations, so you can discuss your specific situation with our attorneys at no cost. We fight for maximum compensation while minimizing stress and hassle for clients. And we are not afraid to take cases all the way to verdict if that’s what it takes.

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Don’t go through this alone - contact the lung cancer lawyers at Braver Law to explore your legal options. Justice delayed is justice denied. Take action now by calling 800-672-7181 or filling out our online case review form. Our team is standing by to provide the support you need during this difficult time.

AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) contains PFAS “forever chemicals” that are toxic and persist in the human body and environment. PFAS chemicals bind to proteins in the blood, accumulating over time with repeated exposures. This build-up can lead to adverse health effects like cancer.

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Studies show links between PFAS chemicals and testicular, kidney, prostate and bladder cancer. Firefighters exposed to AFFF have higher rates of cancer than the general population. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies PFAS as a possible human carcinogen.

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Other AFFF health effects include liver damage, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, pregnancy complications and weakened immunity. Currently, there are no enforceable federal limits on PFAS in drinking water and food packaging.

Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is a fire suppressant that both cools fuel fires and forms an oxygen-excluding barrier over flammable liquids. AFFF foams have been a standard issue for military and civilian firefighters since the 1970s.

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AFFF is highly effective at extinguishing fires involving petroleum products like gasoline, oil and jet fuel. It prevents re-ignition better than water alone. Just 3% AFFF diluted with water can suppress hydrocarbon fuel fires in less than 60 seconds.

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However, the fluorosurfactants that give AFFF its firefighting properties contain PFAS chemicals. PFAS resist heat, oil, stains and water - but also accumulate in the human body and environment. AFFF manufacturers have phased out longer-chain PFAS, but short-chain PFAS may also pose risks.

Certain occupations have higher exposure to AFFF firefighting foams and elevated cancer risk, including:

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• Military Firefighters - Military bases routinely used AFFF for live fire drills and to extinguish aircraft fires. Veterans had prolonged exposure without adequate protective gear.
• Firefighters Stationed at Airports - Civilian firefighters working at major airports used large amounts of AFFF to meet FAA requirements for drills and real aircraft fires.
• Navy Shipyard Workers - Those who maintained vessels may have inhaled AFFF vapors and had direct contact with AFFF-contaminated seawater.
• Air Force Aerial Refuelers - Some developed cancers after flying through AFFF spray from fighter jets doing touch-and-go landing drills.

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These high-risk professions had greater contact with AFFF over longer periods. Studies show elevated rates of cancer compared to the general public.

To be eligible for an AFFF cancer lawsuit, you or a loved one must:

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• Have worked in an occupation with AFFF exposure like military firefighting. This includes training exercises and drills.
• Have been diagnosed with cancer associated with PFAS exposure - such as:

Category A Injuries

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• Kidney Cancer
• Testicular Cancer

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Category B Injuries

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• Liver Cancer
• Thyroid Cancer
• Thyroid Disease
• Ulcerative Colitis

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Be able to provide evidence linking cancer diagnosis to AFFF exposure during service. This can include service records, testimony from fellow veterans, scientific studies, etc.

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Immediate family members may also pursue wrongful death claims if a firefighter passed away from an illness caused by AFFF exposure. An experienced AFFF lawyer can help determine if you qualify during a free case review.

AFFF lawsuits seek compensation from manufacturers who knowingly produced toxic firefighting foam despite evidence of health hazards. These cases allege:

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• Failure to warn about AFFF dangers
• Design defect of AFFF products
• Negligence in AFFF formulation and testing

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Your AFFF lawyer will build a strong case proving these claims based on your specific circumstances. This can involve extensive research into your PFAS exposure and cancer diagnosis.

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If a settlement cannot be reached, your case may go to trial by jury or judge. The verdict will determine if manufacturers are liable for damages. Many factors affect the settlement or award amount. An AFFF lawyer maximizes compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering.

If you have cancer from toxic firefighting foam, the AFFF lawsuit attorneys at Braver Law can help. Our decades of experience with PFAS litigation get results. We have the resources and knowledge to build strong cases while treating clients like family.

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Braver Law will take on AFFF lawsuits across the country. We fight aggressively while minimizing hassle and stress for clients. And we work on contingency, so no fees unless we win compensation.

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To explore your options in a free consultation, contact the AFFF lawsuit lawyers at Braver Law today.