AFFF Firefighting Foam lawsuit Updates
Illinois Firefighter Joins AFFF Lawsuit, Alleging PFAS Exposure Caused Kidney Cancer
A resident of Arcola, Illinois, has filed a lawsuit within the Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) multidistrict litigation (MDL). The plaintiff, a former military and civilian firefighter, alleges that regular exposure to PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam during training and emergency responses caused his kidney cancer. The complaint further states he consumed and used contaminated water supplies while residing and working in Wisconsin, a specifically identified contaminated site. The suit targets corporate defendants responsible for designing, manufacturing, distributing, and supplying the AFFF products and their chemical components. The plaintiff contends these companies knew, or should have known, about the significant health hazards associated with PFAS. These alleged risks include the chemicals' persistence in the environment and human body, and their connection to cancer and other serious health conditions.
Deadline Extended for Tier 2 Group B Discovery Pool Selection in MDL
Judge Gergel has approved the parties' joint motion, extending the deadline to August 4, 2025, for proposing a selection process for additional discovery pool plaintiffs in Tier 2 Group B cases under Case Management Order 26H. This grants additional negotiation time for identifying the next group of cases for intensive discovery. Previously, the Court designated three Group B Tier 2 cases (two involving ulcerative colitis plaintiffs and one involving thyroid disease) and set a June 27, 2025 deadline for recommending how to add further cases. Tier 2 Group B discovery remains scheduled to close on September 12, 2025, absent further court-approved extension.
Strategic Role of Treating Physicians in MDL Trial Testimony
While establishing general causation is essential for surviving summary judgment in class actions and MDLs, trial dynamics shift significantly. Jurors prioritize human narratives and trustworthy witnesses over abstract scientific debate. Treating physicians become pivotal at trial due to their firsthand, non-retained perspective on the plaintiff’s condition. Their authentic testimony—describing observed symptoms, clinical decisions, and disease progression—grounds the plaintiff’s suffering in tangible reality for jurors. Unlike paid experts, treating doctors carry no "hired gun" perception, enhancing their credibility. Effective trial strategy leverages causation experts to meet legal thresholds but relies on treating physicians and pain-and-suffering witnesses to convey the human impact compellingly.
New Bill Seeks Compensation for Firefighters Exposed to PFAS Chemicals
The Firefighter PFAS Injury Compensation Act of 2024, introduced by Senator Cory Booker, aims to provide direct compensation and medical benefits to firefighters exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals, especially from AFFF foam. The bill categorizes eligible health conditions into Tier 1 (e.g., kidney, thyroid, liver cancers) and Tier 2 (e.g., prostate, breast, bladder cancers). Crucially, this proposed federal program offers an independent compensation path, separate from ongoing PFAS lawsuits. However, with new federal spending involved, the bill may struggle to pass in today’s gridlocked Congress—despite bipartisan support and the urgent need to protect those who risk their lives to protect others.
About the AFFF Lawsuit
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.
AFFF is Linked to Various Health Conditions
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.
Who Qualifies for the AFFF Lawsuit?
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:
- Kidney Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Liver Cancer
- Thyroid Disease (Hypo and Hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's Disease)
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.
What is the Focus of the AFFF Lawsuit?
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.
Who is the Lawsuit for?
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.
How Much Compensation Should You Expect?
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:
Significant Settlements and Trials
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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