Who Is Liable for AFFF Exposure?

Firefighters using foam on a fire

Firefighters use aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) to quench fires that are fueled by flammable liquids, such as jet fuel.  For more than 50 years, AFFF manufacturers have added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to AFFFs to lower surface tension– even though they knew that repeated exposure to PFAS could cause cancer. Military personnel, firefighters, and other hazardous material handlers who are now suffering from PFA-induced cancer are currently investigating who is liable.   

If you worked with AFFs and have been diagnosed with cancer related to PFAS exposure, call Douglas & London in New York. Speak with a toxic exposure attorney about your opportunity to file an AFFF lawsuit to recover damages from your illness. The companies that produced AFFFs with carcinogenic components may be liable for your medical costs and expenses and other related damages.  

When Will a Manufacturer Be Liable for Toxic Exposure to AFFFs?

A party who has suffered harm following exposure to a toxic substance must show:

  • That the substance was, in fact, dangerous
  • That the aggrieved party was exposed to it
  • That exposure to the substance was the direct and proximate cause of the harm.

It is beyond doubt that repeated exposure to PFAS leads to a buildup of fluorine and other substances, resulting in thyroid disease and testicular, kidney, bladder, and other cancers. Further, a majority of firefighters and other personnel in the military, municipal fire departments, and private industry used AFFFs that contained PFAS for many years with no awareness of the risks to which they were exposed.

 An AFFF lawyer from Douglas & London will review your work and health history to confirm your right to sue one of the many AFFF manufacturers– that withheld critical information about the dangers of PFAS from you and your employer. 

What Are the Health Effects?

Toxicologists are continuing to study the health effects of AFFF exposure and PFA exposure, and the list of illnesses associated with that exposure is not yet conclusive. Currently, research suggests that firefighters and other persons who suffered regular exposure to PFAS over a long period are more susceptible to:

  • Kidney cancer
  • Testicular cancer
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Thyroid disease
  • Liver cancer
  • Ulcerative colitis

Persons who worked with AFFFs and PFAS and suffer from any of these ailments should consult with their physicians. They should also discuss their options to file an AFFF lawsuit with a knowledgeable and experienced toxic tort lawyer. This is important– particularly if these individuals have no other exposures to carcinogens or no family history, or other known risks.

The statutes of limitations for filing a toxic tort lawsuit generally begin to run when you are first diagnosed or become aware of your illness. If you delay your lawsuit past the applicable statute of limitations, you may lose your opportunity to collect the damages you deserve from the liable party. Contact a qualified lawyer as soon as you can to avoid this problem.

Filing a Lawsuit and Liability for AFFF Exposure

The toxic exposure lawyers at Douglas & London in New York are actively investigating the liability of the many companies that produced AFFFs that included PFAS. We are accepting clients from across the United States– who are suffering the repercussions of years of exposure to PFAS. This is especially true if those individuals were never alerted to the risks they were assuming in handling these hazardous and carcinogenic substances.

Contact Us for a Free AFFF Consultation

Please see our website or call Douglas & London directly if you believe that your cancer or other health problems result from your exposure to AFFFs and PFAS. Your employer will likely not be liable for your damages. However, the companies that produced these substances with full knowledge of their dangerous propensities may well be liable for at least a portion of the excess health costs and other damages you experienced due to your illness.   

Additional Resources:

  1. www.fema.gov: The Hidden Dangers in Firefighting Foam. https://www.usfa.fema.gov/training/coffee_break/021120.html
  2. www.va.gov: PFAS – Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/PFAS.asp