Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) are a highly controversial group of manmade chemicals that have come under scrutiny due to their widespread contamination of water supplies. PFAS are responsible for a variety of adverse health outcomes, including cancer. The manufacturers that create PFAS and PFAS-containing products such as AFFF firefighting foam have been accused of failing to warn regulatory agencies or the public about the potential harm that their PFAS-laden products could cause. Three major chemical manufacturers have agreed to settle in a multidistrict litigation which will provide financial relief for communities that have been harmed by PFAS-contaminated water.
If you or a loved one has developed cancer or other serious health issues as a result of using polluted water contaminated by a PFAS manufacturer, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, loss of quality of life, and other damages. The PFAS water contamination attorneys of Dolman Law Group are available for a free consultation to discuss how this news may impact your claim, help you file a personal injury claim, and determine what your damages may be worth.
Massive Settlement Represents a Victory for PFAS-Contaminated Communities
As the destructive capability of PFAS has gained attention in the public consciousness, there has been a wave of claims against manufacturers of products containing PFAS. A number of those are AFFF water contamination lawsuits. Plaintiffs claim that manufacturers such as DuPont created PFAS chemicals that would end up being leached into many local water supplies.
In a major win for communities impacted by PFAS-polluted water, three major chemical manufacturers have decided to settle with plaintiffs such as the California Water Service for their role in contaminating public water systems. Government-owned systems are excluded from this 1.18 billion dollar settlement agreement. Chemours is contributing half of the total settlement, which amounts to 592 million dollars. DuPont and Corteva are dividing the remainder, with DuPont paying out 400 million dollars and Corteva contributing 193 million dollars.
Other PFAS manufacturers, including 3M and Chemguard, are still facing product liability lawsuits from plaintiffs accusing them of negligence resulting in their PFAS-related cancer. This settlement comes in the context of new evidence that DuPont was aware that PFAS could accumulate in the body and cause cancer for multiple decades. Additionally, the EPA is creating new guidelines for safe PFAS levels in drinking water, which could potentially expand their liability, so they have additional motivation to settle.
Forever Chemicals in AFFF Firefighting Foam Poison Water Supplies
Researchers continue to discover evidence that per- and polyfluorinated substances, known as forever chemicals, are not only more widespread than previously thought but also more damaging. Once PFAS are absorbed, ingested, or inhaled, they remain in the human body for decades or more because their carbon-fluorine bond is incredibly difficult to break. Until quite recently, there were limited regulations of PFAS related to AFFF.
After a person reaches a certain level of exposure, such as drinking and bathing in contaminated water daily, PFAS can cause serious and life-threatening conditions. Thus far, the scientific community has identified the following conditions as being related to PFAS exposure:
- High cholesterol
- Decreased immune response
- Liver damage
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid issues
- Low birth weight
- Birth defects
- Pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure in pregnant women
The potential impact of unchecked water contamination can be seen in the Camp Lejeune claims, where decades of neglect have caused cancer, organ damage, and birth defects in military members and their families who came into contact with water that had been saturated with PFAS and other toxic chemicals. Due to the magnitude of contamination in many cases, the clean-up is incredibly expensive and time-consuming, leaving communities exposed to the risk of PFAS even after the source of the contamination has been dealt with.
Why Should I Choose Dolman Law Group to Represent Me?
While the news of the settlement represents a significant step in holding major chemical manufacturers accountable for their negligence, the work is far from done. At Dolman Law Group, we are committed to equipping plaintiffs who have been harmed by chemical manufacturers’ negligence with the resources and knowledge they need to recover the compensation they deserve.
The AFFF water contamination attorneys of Dolman Law Group will utilize our legal insight to negotiate a settlement that acknowledges the value of your damages. You can count on us to be thorough, attentive, and respectful. We have been at the forefront of this issue, supporting injured plaintiffs and their families as they navigate the personal injury claims process with great success.
Our experience negotiating mass tort claims makes our team the clear choice for negotiating complex product liability lawsuits, such as the AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits. The product liability attorneys of Dolman Law Group will work tirelessly to establish liability and demonstrate the value of your damages. We are capable advocates who will use our decades of combined experience to maximize your compensation while you focus on recovering from your injuries and caring for your family.
Contact Dolman Law Group for Help With Your AFFF or PFAS Lawsuit
At Dolman Law Group, we believe that negligence should not go unchecked, particularly when massive companies are aware of the dangers of their products and deliberately hide that information from the public. Our team is ready to champion your product liability claim against negligent AFFF manufacturers to secure a settlement that compensates you for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
In the event that it is necessary for us to take your claim to trial to recover a fair sum, we won’t hesitate to do so. The personal injury attorneys of Dolman Law Group are relentless negotiators, and we will dedicate ourselves to maximizing your compensation in an AFFF lawsuit.
Residents who have developed cancer or other serious health conditions as a result of using PFAS-contaminated water should consider filing a product liability claim to recover the compensation they are owed. We encourage you to contact one of our AFFF firefighting foam lawyers for additional information on how you can join the AFFF water contamination lawsuits, how the personal injury claims process works, and what your individual claim is worth.