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In April of 2022, Florida’s Attorney General, Ashley Moody, filed a product liability lawsuit against multiple manufacturers of Aqueous Film Forming Foam, more commonly known as firefighting foam. AFFF has come under fire for containing highly toxic chemicals, many of which are known carcinogens like PFOAs.
On behalf of the state of Florida, A.G. Moody alleges that companies like DuPont and Tyco fire products are liable for negligence for their failure to warn or fix this hazard. If you have reason to believe that your illness or injury was caused by AFFF containing toxins, you may be eligible to recover damages in an AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit.
The government’s claim against these manufacturers lends individual cases credibility on the issue, which is why Dolman Law Group encourages you to consult an AFFF firefighting foam attorney as soon as possible in order to begin the process of recovering your damages.
What Are the Allegations Against the AFFF Manufacterruers?
Florida is not the first state to take legal action against manufacturers of AFFF firefighting foam. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed an AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit on behalf of the people of Michigan alleging that several large chemical companies intentionally concealed the dangers of their product and allowed it to contaminate the environment, expanding the scope of the danger.
Florida Attorney General Pursues Damages for AFFF Exposure
The crux of the Florida AFFF lawsuit argues that companies like DuPont allegedly had knowledge of the harmful toxins present in their products for decades, but deliberately concealed this information from the public and failed to warn them of the potential effects. Florida’s claim against them seeks to hold them liable for the widespread use of AFFF across Florida in fire stations, airports, and on military bases.
In order to overcome the burden of proof, which in personal injury law is a preponderance of the evidence, the A.G. must demonstrate that the manufacturers owed the public a duty of care and violated that duty by failing to disclose the dangers of their products. She must then show that the manufacturers’ negligence resulted in serious injury and damages.
AFFF Firefighting Foam Contains Toxic Chemicals
AFFF firefighting foam is used to extinguish fires by creating a wet protective film that cools the flames and blocks oxygen from reaching the fuel source. Unfortunately, the chemicals that enable these properties are also incredibly harmful when ingested or inhaled.
And even worse, studies have demonstrated the presence of toxic chemicals, known as Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOAs) or PFOSs, don’t leave your body once you absorb them. The CDC states that these man-made compounds can “affect growth and development, reproduction, and injure the liver”, and they are not biodegradable. These “forever chemicals” have many known health risks.
Due to the presence of these chemicals, Aqueous Film Forming Foam is classified as a toxic substance for the harmful effects it is known to have on the human body. There is convincing evidence that companies like DuPont have known for years that their products contained harmful substances. However, even with the recent attention drawn to this issue by AFFF firefighting foam lawyers, scientists, and activists, AFFF is still in use in some places.
Firefighting Foam (AFFF) is a Known Health Threat
It has become abundantly clear that AFFF exposure can negatively affect your health. While there are many health risks associated with the toxic chemicals found in AFFF firefighting foam, cancer is one of the most common- and one of the most deadly. Research has connected many types of cancer to AFFF exposure, including:
- Testicular Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Colorectal Cancer
- Neuroendocrine Cancer
It can take years of exposure for enough PFOAs to accumulate in your body to cause cancer, but in jobs like firefighting, you may be exposed to it every day for decades. In addition to cancer, AFFF exposure has been linked to a variety of other serious and debilitating health conditions. In combination with one another or with cancer, the consequences may prove fatal.
- Weakened immune system
- Fertility issues and pregnancy-induced hypertension/preeclampsia
- Damage to the liver
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Increased risk of thyroid disease
- Birth defects
- Child developmental issues
- Increased risk of asthma
For a free legal consultation, call 833-552-7274
Who is at Risk for AFFF Firefighting Foam Exposure?
The hazardous chemicals contained in AFFF present a significant health risk to firefighters- especially female firefighters– as well as those who work on military bases, airports, and other job sites where firefighting foam may be used regularly. In some cases, the communities surrounding these types of job sites were also exposed to toxic chemicals through water contamination.
Oftentimes the people most at risk for exposure to AFFF were already subject to a host of other hazards on the job, but the difference is that they are informed of the risks they can expect to encounter in their occupation which allows them to prevent or reduce the chance of harm.
For example, a firefighter logically expects to encounter flames on the job, hence why they wear protective gear and carry an oxygen mask. By failing to warn people of the dangers of using AFFF, manufacturers defrauded the public out of the opportunity to protect themselves from the cancer-causing chemicals in AFFF firefighting foam.
What Damages Can I Recover in an AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit?
Knowing what damages to claim in an AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit can be difficult if you don’t have experience sifting through detailed medical records, complex legal jargon, and a thorough understanding of the options available to you. In most cases, victims of negligence are eligible for both economic and non-economic damages provided that they can demonstrate their damages are related to their injuries.
In the case of someone who has developed cancer after serving as a firefighter for 35 years, their economic expenses would likely include medical bills for chemotherapy and radiation or lost wages for days taken off work to seek treatment. Non-economic expenses might look like a loss of quality of life if they were no longer able to engage in a favorite hobby or play with their grandchildren.
Examples of Damages in an AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit:
- Medical bills
- Lab Tests
- Ambulance Rides
- Surgeries
- Hospital Stays
- Medication
- Home Healthcare Services
- Physical or Occupational Therapy
- Job-related losses
- Lost Wages
- Lost Earning Potential
- Costs of Job Retraining
- Missed Promotions
- Inability to Continue Career
- Wrongful death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of parental guidance
- Pain and Suffering
- Permanent Disability
Why Should I Hire an AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawyer?
While the state of Florida works to hold these negligent companies accountable for producing toxic firefighting foam, many families are still suffering from the burden of medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. In order to recover the cost of your damages, you may be considering filing a firefighting foam lawsuit.
You should be aware that an AFFF firefighting foam class-action lawsuit is being brought against negligent chemical companies for their role in exposing the public to hazardous chemicals like PFOAs. Having your own AFFF firefighting foam lawyer means that you will have a personal advocate when damages are being discussed.
A firefighting foam lawyer can also help you file the appropriate paperwork by critical deadlines, manage bill collectors, calculate the value of your damages, and represent you in negotiations and in court. You can also take advantage of their knowledge and resources to give your AFFF claim the best chance of success.
How Can Dolman Law Group Help Me With My AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit?
Dolman Law Group has been working tirelessly to support those who have developed cancer and other serious health conditions as a result of the toxic chemicals present in AFFF firefighting foam. We know how intimidating it can be to initiate legal action against a company with vast resources and a team of lawyers, which is why we would like to help you even the playing field.
Not only do we have the necessary expertise in AFFF firefighting foam litigation to take on powerful and well-connected companies, but we have the dedication and work ethic required to go after the full value of your damages.
Our clients rely on us to craft a compelling claim for damages, anticipate the defendant’s tactics to evade liability, and perform a variety of tasks that range from administrative assignments to strategic negotiating. Dolman Law Group consistently delivers beyond expectations, as you can read for yourself in testimonies from former clients.
Contact Dolman Law Group for Help With Your AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit
It’s not uncommon for firefighters and other people who were exposed to dangerous PFOAs in AFFF firefighting foam to feel betrayed by manufacturers who knew the risk and failed to act. While you were contending with cancer or serious health issues, lost wages, pain, and staggering medical bills, they were turning a profit.
You need a law firm with a proven track record of settling for maximum compensation to handle your AFFF firefighting lawsuit. Our team is tenacious in the pursuit of the damages you are entitled to, even if that means escalating your AFFF firefighting lawsuit to trial for a fair settlement.
If you have developed a serious health condition like cancer or lost a loved one due to AFFF firefighting foam exposure, you need a firefighting foam cancer attorney you can trust to represent you while you focus on recovery. You can contact Dolman Law Group anytime by phone at 866-458-3982 or through our website.
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