Firefighting Foam Lawsuits — AFFF Cancer Lawyers

For decades, firefighters, including military and civilian units, used Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) to suppress fires. AFFF firefighting foam saw use in both actual fires and training exercises across multiple organizations. Unfortunately, many of the chemicals used in AFFF can build up in the body over time and negatively impact overall human health. If you were exposed to these toxic firefighting foam chemicals, they can substantially increase your risk of developing several serious, life-threatening illnesses, including cancer.

If you were diagnosed with cancer or other illness after exposure to the toxic chemicals in firefighting foam, you could file an AFFF lawsuit against negligent manufacturers such as Tyco, 3M, Dupont, and others.

How Our Mass Tort Lawyers are Handling Firefighting Foam Lawsuits

At Dolman Law Group, we want to help Americans who have faced severe illness due to AFFF foam exposure receive the compensation they deserve. Potential firefighting foam exposure victims include airport and military firefighters, as well as local first responders and those living near areas where AFFF foam was used. Our firefighting foam lawyers proudly serve as members of the legal team on over 60 AFFF lawsuits.

If you were exposed to firefighting foam and you are facing a cancer diagnosis related to AFFF exposure, contact the experienced firefighting foam lawsuit attorneys at Dolman Law Group today to learn more about your legal rights.

A Dolman Law Group Attorney Can Help You Successfully File an AFFF Lawsuit

By working with an attorney, many victims find that they can substantially increase the compensation they will receive for their injuries and suffering. An attorney can build a solid lawsuit, gather the information you need to prove your claim, and aggressively pursue the monetary compensation you deserve for your physical and emotional suffering related to your diagnosis.

Video Transcript: Firefighting Foam Lawsuits: Everything You Need to Know About AFFF

Matt Dolman:

In this video, I'm going to discuss the AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit. This is an MDL, a multi-district litigation lawsuit, that... and what MDL, by the way, means is that all the lawsuits in the country are being filed in one federal court, and that's in South Carolina. Stan, what is going on? Explain what does AFFF stand for, first off?

Stan Gipe:

AFFF stands for Aqueous Film Forming Foam. Okay. And it's really a firefighting chemical foam that's really effective. Okay. It's used to fight fires, used to fight fires at a lot of airports and it's got some really good properties to it that made it super effective, which is why it had such widespread use. One of the things that we found out though is that over time, some of the chemicals that make this Aqueous Film Forming Foam so effective are also extremely harmful to people and almost impossible to get rid of and clean up, and have now gained the term, the sort of nomenclature known as "forever chemicals." So, Matt, tell us a little bit, what's a forever chemical? What's that mean?

Matt Dolman:

Yeah. PFAS and PFOS, those are known as forever chemicals, and what that means is, for lack of a better way of saying this, it's almost impossible for them to break down their components. So they last for a long period of time. They have such an insidious effect. And what we're seeing is that it just doesn't just affect the individuals who are using the foam. It gets into the aquifer, which is the water source. So it's affecting individuals who not only lived at these military base because, again, the AFFF firefighting foam, that's used to treat or to contain liquid flammable fires. You're generally seeing those at airports or at military bases. These are not traditionally used by commercial and private firefighters.

So, the issue that we're seeing is these chemicals do not break down. They're incredibly destructive organic chemicals that last for 20, 30, 40 years. And once they get into the aquifer, they're affecting not only individuals at the base, but in all the ancillary regions around that area. So all the surrounding adjacent properties, it gets into the community, so individuals who reside near that military base. These are used all over the country at number of different military bases. And the AFFF is used commonly by firefighters to practice on drills regularly. So they're routinely exposed and it gets into the water source, into the groundwater, and it just has such insidious effects over time.

A number of different cancers are related to AFFF, and these lawsuits are being filed. They're not a significant amount of it. This is not like a commercial product that's being sold over the counter like Zantac. So if you're used to mass tort litigation, you're watching these commercials on TV, you're probably not going to see any AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit commercials. There's just not a whole lot of them, but to those individuals, those veterans, they're family members and private contractors that have suffered, and the individuals living in adjacent properties, the disease are just that they're awful. Stan, what are we seeing?

Stan Gipe:

Well, we see the number of different diseases and issues that are affecting the firefighters. But I think the one thing that's important that you mentioned is these chemicals being forever chemicals, you can't get rid of them. You can move them around. You can dig them up, you can push them, but you can't get rid of them. And that's where you have the problem is that it's like asbestos, kind of, is that even when you get it, you may know it's there, you may identify it. Getting rid of it's a problem. It's a hazard to clean up. We can find a number of different cancers and other exposure ailments happen even in the cleanup process, aside from the people who were exposed to it. You'll see municipalities, airports, huge different industries have these big claims for cleanup of these chemicals because the task can take tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars, to get them out of the ground. And they're spending the money to do this because they now know these chemicals are so dangerous, have such potential to cause harm, and when they do cause harm, it's significant.

Matt Dolman:

We're seeing two types of AFFF, or for lack of a better way of saying this, the PFOS and PFAS cases being filed. We're seeing them on behalf of municipalities against these manufacturers. So City A, you can just insert name of city, is filing it based on destruction of their water source that they've gone into their water aquifer, or private citizens, individuals or veterans, family members, private contractors, or individuals that live in those areas who were affected. We're handling on behalf of individuals, so these are claims we're handling. This is a multi-district litigation, meaning that all the lawsuits in the country are being filed in one court and that's in South Carolina.

These cases are coming up quickly for what are known as bellwether trials, and a bellwether trial is where the plaintiff and defense bar have come to an agreement that they're going to try a certain amount of cases, usually between eight and 12 cases, based on specific parameters. They'll agree to the issues that they want to see... that's why they call bellwether, what the jury's going to do with these certain fact patterns. And if it goes plaintiff or if it goes defense, that will sway how these cases are going to be negotiated going forward. Or if there's a mid-range, it kind of gives us an idea of what these cases are worth.

We're approaching that area now and what we're going through at this very moment is the Daubert hearings. Those are scientific hearings where we're relating specific diseases to the incident that took place, which in the incident is the use of the AFFF firefighting foam, being able to prove that you were either at the military base or living nearby, and then being able to show that cancer, that disease, that neurological impediment is now related to that the use of AFFF firefighting foam. So certain diseases may pass muster, some there might not be enough scientific evidence based on a peer reviewed medical literature. And that's where we're at right now with the AFFF lawsuit. Any other issues you're seeing, Stan?

Stan Gipe:

No, I think you pretty much hit on most of it. Like we say, the AFFF is more of a condensed group of people because they're not as widely exposed as some of the Campo LeJeune and other mass torts we're working on. But the injuries can be significant and the harm that's caused to people from these chemicals can be extremely significant.

Matt Dolman:

You might be on our website right now or you could be seeing this video on YouTube. If you have any questions and for a free consultation or free case review, you can reach us right away to discuss a firefighting foam lawsuit. Stan, what's the number they can reach us at?

Stan Gipe:

The number they can reach us at is 1-855-332-7274, and anyone who answers the phone there can help you with your class action lawsuit for firefighting foam. You go your AFFF lawsuit, firefighting foam lawsuit, whatever you want to call it, just let them know what you're calling it about and we'll take care of it.

Matt Dolman:

Yep. We have a very robust website that has a lot of information about AFFF. It's www.dolmanlaw.com, D, like in David, O-L-M-A-N-L-A-W .com. I really appreciate your time. And again, if you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to either Stan or myself. Thank you.

Status of The Firefighting Foam Class Action Lawsuit

All pending AFFF foam lawsuits (filed in Federal Court) have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL). Judge Richard M. Gergel in the United States Federal Court for the District of South Carolina is presiding as the judge in charge of the MDL. The purpose of an MDL is to consolidate all federal AFFF lawsuits that may have been filed in different circuits throughout the U.S. and bring them in front of one Judge to increase efficient discovery and pre-trial proceedings.

While some may refer to the proceedings as an AFFF class action lawsuit, it is actually an MDL. In a class action lawsuit, all claimants allege the same or very similar injury. AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits involve a wide array of different cancers and medical issues arising from AFFF exposure. Let's review the technical details involved in the AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit MDL.

First, the Basics. What Is Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)?

Aqueous Film Forming Foam, or AFFF, helps form a protective blanket that smothers fire when water alone cannot put it out. It includes perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemical substances, or PFAS, which help extinguish the fire. In some products, these chemicals still appear in firefighting foams, despite the known cancer risks.

When developed, Aqueous Film Forming Foam helped suppress fires faster than other available methods. Many installations still use it for that purpose. Unfortunately, the risks may outweigh the potential usefulness, especially if the chemicals leech into groundwater or run off into nearby land, where they can seep into groundwater, causing serious hazards for local area residents.

The Department of Defense utilizes firefighting foam due to the fact that on ships and on aircraft, the close proximity of people, fuel, and munitions can be especially dangerous. AFFF firefighting foam works quickly by spreading out over the surface of the fuel, depriving the fire of oxygen, and quickly extinguishing even large fires. The foam also prevents the hot fuel from reigniting. So far, only AFFF that contains fluorine chemicals called per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are capable of putting out dangerous fuel fires fast and keeping them out.

Exposure to AFFF Firefighting Foam

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (known as PFAS) are long-lasting toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. There are two PFAS chemicals or compounds found in firefighting foam; perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). PFAS compounds are known as "forever chemicals" due to how slowly they break down in both the environment and the human body over time. When an individual is exposed to PFAS compounds over an extended period of time, the chemicals will accumulate in the body. The buildup of forever chemicals in the human body has been linked to testicular cancer, bladder, and kidney cancer along with thyroid disease. We have seen recent scientific literature linking toxic firefighting foam to prostate cancer 

The AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit MDL

March 3, 2023 – the United States Air Force to discontinue fire suppression systems that use AFFF

In response to the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, the Department of the Air Force aims to be the first military department to discontinue the use of fire suppressants containing PFAS chemicals. According to the NDAA, all DoD installations must phase out AFFF by October 2024. Research and testing are still underway to determine adequate replacements and solutions for aqueous film-forming foam. However, meanwhile, we can expect that many more individuals will be exposed to firefighting foam.

February 9, 2023 – Illinois files a statewide lawsuit against manufacturers of AFFF

Illinois is the sixth-largest state in the United States and home to some of the nation's largest natural water reservoirs. The state filed a lawsuit against manufacturers of firefighting foam, arguing that it presents a risk of drinking water contamination. This claim may be an attempt to avoid having the lawsuit consolidated into the AFFF MDL in South Carolina in order to seek a quicker resolution. The motion named defendants 3M, Dyneon, L.L.C., DuPont, and several other distributors and manufacturers.

January 11, 2023 - New study highlights the danger for firefighters

A new study published in Occupational Medicine found that firefighters are four times more likely than the general population to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and three times more likely to be diagnosed with leukemia.

November 26, 2022 - AFFF settlement discussions

Judge Gergel has appointed retired Judge Layn Phillips to facilitate global settlement talks between plaintiffs and the numerous defendant manufacturers of firefighting foam. There is presently over 3300 pending AFFF lawsuits in the AFFF MDL. Settlement talks will be complicated by the different interests of individual plaintiffs and the municipalities who also serve as individual plaintiffs. Keep in mind, the very first firefighting foam bellwether trial was brought by the City of Stuart, Florida.

October 22, 2022 - First AFFF lawsuit bellwether trial selected 

AFFF MDL Judge Richard Gergel has selected his first bellwether trial which is the City of Stuart v. 3M Company, et al., scheduled for June 5, 2023. We believe settlement discussions will begin heating up as the first trial grows closer. Keep in mind there are two categories of AFFF cases. One batch is individual claims and the other lawsuits are brought on behalf of municipalities for damage to property and the water source.

September 26, 2022 - 3M's government contractor defense fails

Judge Gergel rejected 3M's government contractor defense. 3M had sought summary judgment based on manufacturing AFFF firefighting foam under a government contract. However, 3M'S failure to inform the government of known dangers concerning firefighting foam served as their undoing. Judge Gergel opined that 3M withheld information about potential health risks for individuals exposed to AFFF including an increased risk for testicular cancer, kidney cancer and prostate cancer. The environmental protection agency considers AFFF foam a very dangerous health risk.  A large number of AFFF lawsuits would have been barred had Judge Gergel granted 3M the aforementioned motion for summary judgment. 3M is the largest defendant in the firefighting foam lawsuit. 3M was well aware of thousands of complaints that AFFF exposure is linked to multiple cancers.

September 20, 2021- 2,700 AFFF lawsuits pending against several common defendants

As of September 20, 2021, there are nearly 2,700 AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits pending before Judge Gergel in the United States Federal Court for the District of South Carolina. The official title is The Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Product Liability Litigation, MDL-2873. As AFFF lawyers, we see several common defendants, and we can separate the AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits into several categories. Current AFFF lawsuits are pending against 3M, TYCO Fire Product, Dupont, Buckeye Fire Equipment, and Chemguard Inc., among others.

September 6, 2021 - the first bellwether AFFF lawsuit is scheduled

Judge Gergel issued a case management order last month indicating that the first AFFF firefighting foam bellwether trial would take place in April 2023. The specific AFFF foam lawsuit to be tried will be selected this December.

September 29, 2018 - the creation of an MDL to consolidate each AFFF lawsuit for pre-trial procedures

A multidistrict litigation (MDL) was created for the AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits. The Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has consolidated all firefighting foam lawsuits that were filed and are pending in Federal Court. A total of just over 80 AFFF lawsuits were consolidated before Judge Richard M. Gergel at this time.

These lawsuits share similar issues of both law and facts surrounding the use of firefighting foam and the toxic chemicals in AFFF. We expect the number of AFFF firefighting foam cancer lawsuits to increase exponentially over the next year. Keep in mind that nearly 20% of firefighters consistently exposed to AFFF firefighting foam are diagnosed with cancer at some point. Kidney and testicular cancer seem to be the most common diagnosis. However, there are a wide variety of medical issues and different types of cancers related to AFFF exposure.

AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit Defendants—The Manufacturers

The experienced firefighting foam cancer lawyers at Dolman Law Group are presently investigating claims against the following AFFF manufacturers:

• 3M Company
• Tyco Fire Products
• Chemguard
• Kidde Fire Fighting
• Buckeye Fire Equipment
• Dupont
• Chubb Fire
• The Chemours Company

Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive. We will investigate claims against any of the existing firefighting foam manufacturers. If you or a loved one was employed as a firefighter and later developed cancer, please reach out to our firefighting foam cancer lawyers and schedule a free consultation and case review.

Firefighting Foam Lawsuits—PFAS in AFFF Makes the Foam Toxic

Unfortunately, the same attributes that make PFAS desirable in small spaces or dangerous circumstances also make them incredibly dangerous for humans. These fire suppression chemicals heighten the risk of cancer in people who face exposure to them, especially people who face considerable exposure over a long time.

What Problems Can the Dangerous Chemicals in AFFF Foam Cause and How?

Fire suppression chemicals can bind with proteins in the blood, where they can remain long-term. These chemicals cannot biodegrade and may take thousands of years to eliminate from groundwater and soil. Aqueous film forming foam exposure leaves many firefighters with high levels of up to nine different fluorinate compounds in their blood.

These compounds can all substantially increase the risk of cancer, including:

• Kidney cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Liver cancer
• Breast cancer
• Lymphoma
• Leukemia
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
• Ovarian cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Bladder cancer

Firefighters are exposed to forever chemicals in several ways: through breathing, skin contact and oral ingestion, which may prove difficult to avoid when fighting fires directly.

Today's firefighters have stringent safety regulations in place to help decrease exposure and effects of potential exposure to forever chemicals, including wearing protective gear before using those fire suppression systems that contain PFAS, showering as soon as possible, and wiping down the skin after suspected exposure.

Firefighters have also moved to replace their existing systems with fluorine-free fire suppression options.Unfortunately, despite the known dangers, some firefighters continue to come into contact with PFAS through fire suppression systems. While these chemicals may, in the short term, help fight fires, they can also cause serious harm to the firefighters who help suppress those fires.

High-Risk Professions for AFFF Firefighting Foam Exposure

Most individuals who come into contact with high levels of AFFF work as firefighters in some capacity. Many firefighters do not receive warnings about the potential dangers associated with AFFF use, or exposure to PFAS. They receive training in the use of specific procedures that help suppress fires without adequate warning of how exposure to firefighting foam could hurt them later in life.

Use by the Navy

AFFF usage in the Navy began in the 1960s. Not only did Navy workers use AFFF to suppress actual fires, but it also used the chemicals as part of training exercises designed to teach the appropriate responses to those fires.

The Navy heavily favored the use of these chemicals due to their ability to smother jet fuel fires, which could quickly rage out of control without fire suppression help. Currently, the US Navy has moved to transition away from chemicals that contain PFAS. Unfortunately, the Navy continues to use many of these chemicals while looking for effective solutions.

Airport Workers

Until 2018, when information about the potential cancerous impact of AFFF firefighting foam exposure came to light, many airports required the use of AFFF in their fire suppression systems. Many workers in those airports, especially emergency responders and those who helped clean up after those fires, likely were exposed to toxic firefighting foam.

AFFF Firefighting Foam Exposure in Groundwater and Drinking Water

AFFF does not degrade substantially on its own and may take thousands of years to disappear from local areas. In areas where it was used, it may leech into the ground and local groundwater. In some cases, that may lead to local citizens facing exposure to those harmful chemicals.

These chemicals may remain particularly high around Navy bases or in areas where firefighters train regularly. Private citizens who believe they may face cancer due to exposure to chemicals from AFFF should consult their doctors and talk to a lawyer to learn more about their rights and the harm caused by those chemicals.

Filing an AFFF Lawsuit: Who Bears Liability for Injuries?

Many of the companies using AFFF, including local fire departments, may have had little to no idea of the potential side effects of those chemicals.

The companies producing those fire suppression systems, on the other hand, have, in some cases, known about the dangers for decades. Despite that knowledge, however, these individuals took no steps to protect the public, including the firefighters who put their lives on the line to help suppress those fires and save both people and property.

At Dolman Law Group, we want to pursue compensation for victims who faced serious diagnoses and symptoms as a result of their AFFF exposure. We are looking at claims, evaluating the challenges faced by individuals who have dealt with those diagnoses, and going after the companies that produced and distributed AFFF for fire suppression. Contact us for a free consultation to see if you may be eligible to take part in the firefighting foam lawsuit settlement.

The Dangers of PFAS in AFFF Firefighting Foam

PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have gained attention in recent years after they were labeled “forever chemicals” due to their inability to break down. If PFAS ever breaks down, it can take years.

There is substantial scientific evidence linking PFAS exposure to kidney cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, ovarian or endometrial cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, leukemia, and testicular cancer. Further, PFAS exposure via AFFF firefighting foam has been linked to thyroid issues and changes to one's immune system.

PFAS chemicals usually get into the soil and eventually contaminate the water supply of a local area. Again, PFAS chemicals simply do not break down over time. In turn, PFAS contamination has proven to be extremely expensive for a municipality to remediate. Individuals who live in the immediate area are often exposed to these toxic chemicals and known carcinogens regularly as they drink and bathe in contaminated water.

The environmental protection agency (EPA) has released a study indicating that nearly 900 uses of AFFF products or spills containing AFFF firefighting foam have entered various U.S. waterways. In fact, 897 instances of forever chemicals seeping into our water sources have been documented by the E.P.A. There is no telling how widespread the contamination of our water sources by dangerous chemicals and known carcinogens is.

Other Health Problems Related to AFFF Exposure

In addition to the multiple types of cancer we listed earlier, here are some other potential diseases your doctors might believe show exposure to AFFF, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:

• Asthma
• Fertility issues
• Increased cholesterol
• Thyroid disease
• Kidney disease
• Crohn's disease
• Liver disease
• Neurological disease
• Changes in fetal development
• Changes in child development
• Pregnancy-induced hypertension

Understand that without the discovery of the cancers listed earlier, you will not be able to receive a personal injury award related to your AFFF exposure. The illnesses and diseases listed here are potential side effects of exposure.

If you believe you have AFFF exposure, you will want to mention this to your doctor, so they can be on the lookout for these cancers and diseases.

Proving the Validity of an AFFF Lawsuit

To prove the elements of an AFFF lawsuit, work closely with a personal injury attorney who can explain more about your legal rights and what information you will need to provide, including the following:

• Medical records. Your medical records will establish your diagnosis and when it took place. Your medical records may include notes from your doctor about the severity of your symptoms, including how they impact many areas of your life. Your medical records will also include information about the treatments you needed as you dealt with your cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation, or surgical treatment.
• Medical bills. Your medical bills will help form the foundation of your AFFF exposure personal injury claim. Collect all medical bills related to your cancer diagnosis and treatment, including bills for tests, follow-up visits with your doctor, cancer treatments, and bills for any procedures you had performed. Keep track of all of your medical bills throughout your treatment. Your attorney may also urge you to include bills for any durable medical equipment you used during your illness and bills for in-home care, if needed, throughout your treatments.
• Evidence of your AFFF exposure. Where did you face AFFF exposure? In what context? Did you work as a firefighter, either in a fire department, on a Navy base, or in an airport? Did you face AFFF exposure due to chemicals in groundwater that you consumed or were exposed to over time? A dedicated AFFF foam attorney can help you collect evidence of your AFFF exposure, including how often you may have faced exposure due to your personal experience.

If You Cannot Offer Proof of Exposure

Employment records can help show that you worked as a firefighter. If you worked as a volunteer firefighter, your volunteer records could also show when you may have faced exposure. An attorney can help investigate your claim and provide the proof that you may need. If you worked at an airport or in the Navy as a firefighter, those records would also show when you may have faced exposure.

An attorney can help assess what chemicals your workplace used and review any cases in which you may have faced direct exposure.

Obtaining Compensation Through an AFFF Lawsuit: The Compensation You Deserve

Following exposure to PFAS and a cancer diagnosis related to that exposure, contact an experienced personal injury attorney with AFFF experience as soon as possible. Our firefighting foam attorneys can help provide an overview of the specific compensation you deserve and who may be responsible for paying compensation. Most personal injury claims, including AFFF litigation due to exposure to carcinogens, include the same basic elements.

Medical Bills

Your medical bills form a vital part of any personal injury claim—and following a cancer diagnosis, those bills can add up fast. Many cancer patients face long hospitalizations and require multiple procedures to treat their cancer. You may have to undergo surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Some doctors recommend expensive immunotherapy to help advance the treatment of cancer or palliative care to ease your symptoms.

Lost Wages

Following a cancer diagnosis, some patients have to leave work temporarily. While some patients can work part-time while going through cancer treatments, others may find it impossible to manage their treatments while still doing full-time work. Some employers will allow you to shift to part-time work during your treatments; however, you may miss a substantial amount of your normal wages during those periods.

Pain and Suffering

Cancer patients go through a great deal of suffering during their treatments. Not only can many types of cancer cause considerable suffering on their own, but the treatments can also cause additional suffering for the victim. Many victims also suffer as they miss out on much-anticipated activities, relationships, and events due to weakness from cancer or cancer treatments.

Talk to an attorney about how to include the pain and suffering you faced due to your diagnosis as part of your lawsuit.

Why Seek Compensation for AFFF-Related Damages?

As a firefighter, you likely took your job to protect the people around you: to fight fires, stop property damage, and save lives. If you worked as a Navy or airport firefighter, you may have found yourself exposed to high levels of those chemicals regularly as you worked to save lives and decrease potential dangers.

The companies that produced those chemicals, however, did not take the necessary steps to protect you.

With proper protective gear and safety measures in place, including limiting the movements of AFFF materials to protect groundwater and keep residents safe, AFFF can still see regular use. In dangerous environments, the hazards presented by fires could outweigh the possible dangers of AFFF exposure. Unfortunately, the companies that manufacture it did not take the steps necessary to protect firefighters or private citizens who came into contact with those chemicals.

You suffered serious illness as a result of your AFFF exposure. In many patients, a cancer diagnosis can change and limit the rest of their lives. If cancer reaches an advanced stage before diagnosis, it can lead to death. You deserve compensation for the losses you faced. Contact Dolman Law Group to learn more about your legal right to compensation through the global firefighting foam settlement.

AFFF Lawsuit Settlement Amounts—What Can Victims Expect

For starters, the manufacturers of AFFF are not quite ready to settle. Bellwether trials are now being set, with the first trial to occur in April 2023. A bellwether case enables both sides to see how a jury may evaluate similar cases within the AFFF MDL. However, once several bellwether trials have reached jury verdicts; we anticipate one side will commence discussions of a potential AFFF settlement to eliminate the potential exposure of numerous lawsuits going one way or the other.

We anticipate the AFFF lawsuit settlement to be based on several categories concerning the type of cancer and the severity of such. While it is still too early to make accurate predictions as to settlement value, we can speculate based on how prior mass tort cases have been resolved. We believe the average AFFF lawsuit settlement value will exceed $150,000.00. Further, it is our opinion that the average jury verdict can exceed $1,000,000.00. However, only a small portion of mass tort cases are tried before a jury due to the risk and costs associated with such.

How a Firefighting Foam Attorney Can Help

Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you seek the compensation you deserve for any type of personal injury claim, including claims related to a cancer diagnosis for AFFF exposure. An attorney can:

• Help you better understand your legal right to compensation. How much compensation do you really deserve after a cancer diagnosis? Should you participate in a class action lawsuit or pursue compensation on your own? What should you do if the company that manufactured AFFF offers you a settlement you do not agree meets your needs? An attorney can provide valuable advice that can help you make decisions that will protect your financial future and rights following serious health-related challenges related to AFFF exposure.
• Fight for you. You need an attorney to help fight for the compensation you deserve. Often, companies respond more to attorneys than they do to private individuals notifying them about a problem. Not only that, but an attorney can also help take your claim to court, if needed, and fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve. An attorney can also help you decide when to accept a settlement offer and how that may impact your financial future.
• Provide peace of mind and decrease stress throughout the process. With a cancer diagnosis, you have more than enough things to worry about already. An attorney can help provide peace of mind as you move through a lawsuit after your diagnosis. You can leave the legal process in your attorney's hands rather than needing to focus on those elements for yourself. Many patients find that working closely with an experienced personal injury attorney frees them up to deal with their recovery and the related challenges rather than having to focus on legal issues.

FAQs Concerning AFFF Lawsuits

If you have questions about an individual claim, contact Dolman Law Group as soon as possible. We can connect you with an experienced attorney who can help answer your questions and give you a better understanding of the compensation you deserve for the losses and expenses you suffered due to your cancer diagnosis.

Here, we attempt to answer some of the most commonly asked questions related to AFFF exposure lawsuits.

Do You Need an Attorney to File an AFFF Lawsuit After a Cancer Diagnosis?

As a firefighter, you may have put your life and health on the line to help save the people around you or to decrease the risk of extreme property damage. You did not expect the danger to sneak up on you. 

Based on experience with other claims related to AFFF exposure and its damage, our experienced firefighting foam lawyers have an intimate understanding of these cases. This can include deciphering complex medical diagnoses, tracking exposure rates, and determining the liable party. Personal injury attorneys who have no experience with these kinds of cases may struggle to fully understand the medical issues involved, as well as the technology behind the chemistry.

Trust our team to understand your case fully. We know how frustrating it can be to face a situation like this, and we take pride in helping victims of AFFF exposure receive the compensation they deserve. We are presently representing a number of professional volunteer and military firefighters.

Dolman Law Group is ready to hear your story and see if we can help you by pursuing an AFFF foam lawsuit on your behalf or on behalf of a loved one. Contact us today to learn more about your right to compensation following a cancer diagnosis. Our AFFF lawsuit attorneys will seek to recover the financial compensation you deserve.

Why Dolman Law Group

Dolman Law Group is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm. Our personal injury lawyers have in excess of 130+ years of combined experience. We have recovered over $225 million on behalf of serious injury victims. Further, we have the financial resources to handle a wide array of firefighting foam cases. In fact, our lawyers are experienced in handling product liability cases in both state and federal courts.

If you or a loved one have developed cancer following exposure to AFFF firefighting foam, please call us for a free consultation today at 866-416-1344 or fill out a contact form online.

The Dolman Law Group works with local counsel in any jurisdiction outside Florida for the purpose of filing lawsuits in jurisdictions wherein we are not licensed. Thus, we will follow each State's ethical rules to ensure a local attorney is involved.