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The ongoing Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Lawsuit focuses on the serious health risks associated with Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). If you have been diagnosed with Testicular Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, Ulcerative Cancer or Liver Caner, you may be eligible for compensation.
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3M has agreed to pay New Jersey $450 million to settle claims over PFAS contamination linked to AFFF firefighting foams. The settlement was reached just before trial, though 3M denies any wrongdoing. The lawsuit, filed in 2019, focused on the Chambers Works facility in Deepwater, New Jersey, where discharges contaminated local waterbodies and supplies. The funds will go to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to address PFAS-related water contamination. Often called "forever chemicals," PFAS are highly persistent in the environment and linked to serious health risks. This settlement marks a significant step in addressing the chemical’s widespread impact.
Five plaintiffs alleging kidney or testicular cancer from decades of PFAS exposure in Pennsylvania drinking water near Willow Grove military sites have moved to consolidate their cases into a single bellwether trial. They argue their claims share identical factors: exposure to the same AFFF firefighting foam, contamination from the same military bases, and legal grounds under Pennsylvania law. Alternatively, they propose grouping cases by cancer type (three kidney cancer, two testicular) to streamline proceedings. Consolidation would reduce duplicative litigation, lower costs, and provide consistent jury rulings on liability and causation. Precedent supports merging such cases, with tailored procedures mitigating jury confusion. While consolidation strengthens plaintiffs’ narrative by highlighting repeated harm, the court’s focus remains on efficiency under Rule 42—given overlapping evidence, experts, and legal issues. A decision is pending.
The MDL judge issued Case Management Order 26H, updating the schedule for Group B personal injury bellwether cases involving ulcerative colitis claims. Three new plaintiffs were added to the discovery pool, with Tier 1 discovery scheduled from April 7, 2025, to August 11, 2025. By July 21, 2025, the parties must propose a selection process for advancing at least one new plaintiff to Tier 2. Discovery for existing Tier 2 plaintiffs remains set to close by September 12, 2025. The parties will provide a discovery update at the August 8, 2025, status conference before moving into expert discovery.
The judge overseeing the AFFF MDL has scheduled a Science Day for June 20, 2025, following the regular MDL status conference in Charleston, South Carolina. The session will focus on liver and thyroid cancer—two of the most frequently alleged conditions in the litigation. Each side may present four expert witnesses (two per cancer type) to explain relevant scientific issues directly to the Court. While the presentations will be off the record and not subject to cross-examination, they may significantly influence the judge’s understanding of causation and affect future rulings on the admissibility of expert testimony.
You may have heard about the AFFF foam lawsuit that has reached headlines. AFFF, or aqueous film-forming foam, is widely used by fire departments, military service, and Navy personnel, and in other various industries for its effectiveness in extinguishing fuel fires. There have been recent concerns about a possible link between AFFF exposure and various dangerous health conditions, including life-threatening cancers. It's important to understand how you may qualify for the AFFF lawsuit if the product has harmed you or a loved one and you would like to participate in the class action lawsuit.
Several serious health issues have already been associated with AFFF exposure. Among these concerns is the connection to certain types of cancer. AFFF exposure, particularly to its main component, PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), has been linked to an increased risk of developing cancers such as kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and others. Research has increasingly focused on how PFAS contribute to these illnesses, due to their resilience to naturally break down in the environment and the human body.
There are specific criteria you must meet to potentially qualify for the AFFF lawsuit. These requirements include:
1) Occupational Requirement: You must have been a civilian, Navy, or military firefighter, or you must have been exposed to or used AFFF on the job or during training. All Navy personnel are considered military firefighters for the purposes of this lawsuit.
2) Timing of Diagnosis: Your diagnosis must have occurred at least six months after your initial AFFF exposure.
3) You must have been diagnosed with one of the following health conditions:
If you do not have a valid cancer diagnosis from your doctor but have been experiencing health issues due to AFFF exposure, you may still be able to be included in the AFFF lawsuit. Additionally, you must not currently be represented by an attorney for AFFF exposure symptoms to partake in the AFFF lawsuit.
If you meet the above requirements, you may be entitled to compensation. We encourage you to seek legal advice to determine your eligibility. Various factors impact eligibility, and all cases are unique.
AFFF lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of AFFF foam across the United States. Plaintiffs allege that AFFF exposure has caused them to develop serious health conditions, including various types of cancer. The lawsuit claims that the manufacturers, including 3M, DuPont, Chemours, and others, knew about the health risks associated with the forever chemicals in AFFF but failed to adequately warn users. These companies are accused of concealing the potential dangers, not maintaining strict safety standards, and failing to reformulate their products to make them safer for consumers and the environment.
The AFFF lawsuit is intended for individuals who have been exposed to AFFF foam and have subsequently been diagnosed with a pre-qualifying illness. This includes civilian, Navy, and military firefighters who have used AFFF in the line of duty, as well as other personnel who were exposed to the foam during training or industrial use. The AFFF lawsuit aims to provide a path to justice and compensation for those affected by the harmful chemicals in the product, supporting them in their fight against the health issues they have endured due to their exposure.
Determining the exact settlement amounts in the AFFF foam lawsuit can be challenging due to the unique factors involved in each case. However, there have been some significant case settlements that forecast individual compensations:
Municipal Water Treatment Cases: In December 2023, 3M and DuPont agreed to a $10.3 billion settlement to resolve cases related to PFAS contamination from AFFF. The City of Stuart reached a tentative settlement with 3M for $10 billion over water contamination claims. This settlement aims to address the extensive environmental damage and health risks caused by PFAS chemicals found in AFFF. This settlement is still pending final approval.
Johnson Controls Settlement: In January 2021, Johnson Controls paid $17.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit involving about 1,200 Wisconsin residents affected by PFAS contamination from AFFF.
While exact amounts can vary, the settlements in the AFFF lawsuit are expected to be substantial, reflecting the serious health risks and extensive AFFF exposure symptoms suffered by many plaintiffs. If you or a loved one were exposed to AFFF and developed health issues, we can get you in contact with an attorney in our network who may be able to help you understand your potential compensation and the steps needed to join the litigation.
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