What Medical Evidence Is Necessary to Support Your PFAS Lawsuit?  

To support a PFAS case in New York, medical evidence must demonstrate a clear link between exposure to PFAS chemicals and the health conditions suffered by the plaintiff. This includes detailed records documenting diagnoses of illnesses commonly associated with PFAS exposure, such as certain cancers, thyroid disorders, or immune system impairments. Blood tests showing elevated PFAS levels and expert medical opinions connecting those levels to the plaintiff’s health issues are also crucial.  

The legal team at Douglas & London will thoroughly investigate your PFAS claim, subpoena documents if necessary, take sworn statements called depositions, and help you collect all the medical evidence, environmental research, and expert testimony you need to prove your claim in court. Call today to schedule a free consultation. 

What are PFAS? 

Approximately 15,000 synthetic chemicals fall under the PFAS classification. Since the 1940s, PFAS has been used in the U.S. for many purposes. This includes products used for common household purposes, such as: 

  • Cleaning products 
  • Non-stick cookware 
  • Personal care products, such as nail polish and shampoos  
  • Stain-resistant coatings on carpeting, furniture, clothing, and fabrics  
  • Water-resistant fabrics  

As The New York Times reports, PFAS “quickly became a mainstay in DuPont’s Teflon non-stick pans and 3 M’s Scotchgard fabric protector.” Due to their hazardous nature, many PFAS have been discontinued. The FDA has been active in reducing PFAS exposure. For example, in April 2024, it announced that PFAS used in grease-proof paper for food products was no longer sold.  

Building a Strong Toxic Exposure Case 

Building a strong toxic exposure case means gathering as much evidence as possible, which includes the following:  

Medical Records 

Medical evidence is crucial in a PFAS contamination case because it establishes the link between exposure to PFAS chemicals and the plaintiff’s health conditions. Medical records, blood tests, and expert opinions demonstrate causation and the extent of harm, which are essential for proving liability and securing compensation.  

The more detailed the information in your medical records, the better to substantiate your case, including: 

  1. Medical History and Diagnoses: Documentation of health conditions commonly linked to PFAS exposure, such as kidney or testicular cancer, thyroid disease, or immune system disorders. 
  1. Blood Tests: Lab results showing elevated PFAS levels serve as direct evidence of exposure. 
  1. Treatment Records: Records of medical treatments, surgeries, or ongoing therapies related to the diagnosed conditions. 
  1. Physician’s Notes: Statements from treating physicians detailing the potential connection between PFAS exposure and the plaintiff’s illness. 
  1. Hospital Records: Admission and discharge summaries for any hospitalizations related to PFAS-related illnesses. 
  1. Prescriptions: Records of medications prescribed to manage PFAS-related health issues. 

Employment Records 

Many people were exposed to PFAS in the course of their employment. For example, one common PFAS, Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), was used as a fire suppressant to battle fires at military bases, civilian airports, industrial facilities, aboard ships, and oil refineries. AFFF is among the prime PFAS water contaminants.  

If you worked at such a facility and were exposed to PFAS, you must provide documentation of the specific period in which you were employed. Those working in occupations such as military or civilian firefighters or chemical manufacturers are especially vulnerable.  

Contaminated Drinking Water 

When PFAS seeps into the groundwater, contamination tends to spread rapidly due to the chemicals’ high solubility and resistance to breaking down, allowing them to migrate easily through soil and water systems. The majority of those involved in PFAS lawsuits developed their diseases after long-term toxic drinking water consumption.  

If you believe that consuming contaminated drinking water caused your PFAS contamination and subsequent illness, you must provide evidence that PFAS was discovered in your drinking water source. If you lived near a military base, chemical manufacturing site, airport, or other area where PFAS were widely used, these contaminants would likely have leached into the groundwater.   

Challenges in PFAS Cases  

Because it takes years from the exposure date for a person to develop cancer or other PFAS-related conditions, proving that PFAS exposure caused your illness is often challenging. Many of the cancers suspected to result from PFAS exposure are relatively common, including those of the breast, prostate, and thyroid.   

Obtaining employment verification may not prove easy if the employer has ceased operations and the exposure took place long ago. Past income tax filings may authenticate the employment records and timeframe.  

The amount of compensation an individual may receive in a PFAS lawsuit depends on factors ranging from illness severity to length of exposure. The experience of your toxic exposure attorneys also plays a critical role in the outcome.   

How Douglas & London Can Help 

At Douglas & London, our track record of helping clients suffering from toxic exposure-related issues is well-documented. For example, we played a key role in the DuPont C-8 litigation, with partner Gary J. Douglas serving as lead trial counsel and securing verdicts from three separate juries for $1.6 million, $5.6 million, and $12.5 million. Firm partner Michael A. London served as co-lead counsel for the entire litigation and held the position of lead negotiator of the $670.6 million settlement. 

We can help collect the evidence needed to substantiate your claim, such as environmental testing results for your drinking water source. We will also hire expert medical witnesses to review and evaluate your claim.   

Schedule a Free Consultation 

If you or a family member was diagnosed with a serious illness from PFAS contamination, you need an experienced toxic exposure attorney at Douglas & London. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. Because we work on a contingency basis, you pay no legal fees unless you receive compensation.