Firefighting Foam Lawsuit

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) or “firefighting foam” is linked to cancer and health problems for firefighters, military personnel, airport workers, and people who drink groundwater that has been contaminated with toxic PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting firefighting foam induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with cancer or other health problems after being exposed to firefighting foam, Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), or toxic chemicals like PFAS in groundwater, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Toxic Chemical Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE: 40 Wells Near Wisconsin Airport Contaminated With Toxic Firefighting Foam Chemicals

In January 2021, high levels of toxic PFAS chemicals were found in at least 40 wells that provide drinking water for people who live on French Island in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Officials believe the PFAS chemicals came from the La Crosse Regional Airport, which used firefighting foam during trainings and crashes. Click here to read more

Tyco Agrees to $17.5 Million Settlement in Firefighting Foam Lawsuit

In January 2021, Tyco Fire Products agreed to pay a $17.5 million settlement to the people of Peshtigo, Wisconsin. The lawsuit was filed after toxic PFAS chemicals from firefighting foam contaminated groundwater and private wells for at least 270 homes in rural Wisconsin that were located near Tyco’s Fire Training Facility.

How Much Money Are People Getting?

Tyco’s class action settlement pays $15 million for claims like property damage, with an average payout of $60,000-$70,000 per household depending on the level of water contamination.

$2.5 Million for Disease Claims in Firefighting Foam Settlement

Tyco’s class action settlement also pays $2.5 million to people who developed testicular cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, or pre-eclampsia.

What is Firefighting Foam?

Firefighting foam, also known as Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), is highly effective against liquid fuel fires that can’t be put out with water alone. AFFF is particularly effective against jet fuel, which is why it is commonly used by airports and militaries. AFFF also by some industries and civilian firefighters (commonly in training exercises).

What is the Problem?

AFFF foam contains multiple cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens) that are linked to a number of types of cancer, such as testicular cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer and other diseases. It also causes serious environmental pollution that is very difficult to clean up.

Toxic Chemicals in AFFF Foam

AFFF foam contains chemicals that accumulate in the human body and take thousands of years to break down in the environment, which is why they are called “forever chemicals.”

The toxic chemicals in firefighting foam include Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), which are collectively known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

What are PFAS Chemicals?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of water-resistant chemicals that may be found in firefighting foam, nonstick pans, food packaging, and drinking water. They accumulate in the human body (particularly the blood, kidneys and liver) and can be detected in the bloodstream of 99% of Americans.

Firefighting Foam Linked to Environmental Concerns

Environmental concerns about firefighting foam emerged as early as 1974, when the U.S. Navy debated releasing “a large raft of snow-white AFFF floating” into harbors. At the time, thousands of gallons of foam were being dumped in San Diego, California, and Norfolk, Virginia.

What Health Problems Are Linked to Firefighting Foam?

Cancer
Testicular cancer
Kidney cancer
Thyroid disease
Ulcerative colitis
High blood pressure
Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy)
High cholesterol
Liver problems
And more

Types of Cancer Linked to Firefighting Foam

Testicular cancer
Kidney cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Breast Cancer
Liver Cancer
Bladder Cancer
Lymphoma
Leukemia
Tumors

Who Is Most At Risk?

Firefighters
Fire department staff who decontaminate firefighting equipment
Military personnel
Airport workers
Refinery and chemical plant workers
AFFF manufacturers
People who drink groundwater near military bases, airports, firefighting training facilities, etc.
People who clean up chemical spills

Firefighting Foam Lawsuits Centralized in MDL

As of December 2020, more than 900 firefighting foam lawsuits have been centralized in one federal court in South Carolina. The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for physical injuries, medical monitoring, property damage, and other economic losses, as a result of PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam that contaminated drinking water around military bases, airports, and other industrial sites.

The lawsuits have been centralized into a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court for South Carolina. — Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) Products Liability Litigation MDL No. 2873.

Nevada Firefighter Files AFFF Cancer Lawsuit

One lawsuit was filed in June 2020 by a former firefighter in Nevada who blames AFFF foam on his prostate cancer diagnosis in June 2018. He was exposed to the foam as a firefighter at Clark County Fire Station from 1981 through 2003 during routine training.

He was also stationed at an airport where the foam was used even more frequently. Unfortunately, he says he was never warned that the foam contained PFOA and/or PFOS, or that it might cause cancer.

The lawsuit was filed on June 5, 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina — Case No. 2:20-cv-02154-RMG.

Do I have a Firefighting Foam Lawsuit?

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