For many years, firefighters and other first responders relied on aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to control and liquidate fires. Its properties made it the fastest and most convenient fire extinguishing method. However, this substance proved extremely dangerous for people, and many first responders developed various types of cancer.
If you worked with or were exposed to AFFF, consult with the mass tort lawyers at Rueb Stoller Daniel to find out if you may join the pending AFFF fire foam lawsuits.
In this article, we will detail the basics of the lawsuits, some recent updates, and what to do to check if you are eligible to join the litigation.
What Are AFFF Fire Foam Lawsuits About?
Firefighters and other first responders who have been exposed claim that the fire foam contains dangerous chemicals called Perfluoroakyl and Polyfluoroakyl substances (PFAS).
These substances cause various types of cancer, such as:
- Testicular cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Kidney cancer bladder cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Colon cancer
- Liver cancer
- Breast cancer
- Leukemia (blood cancer).
Other conditions developed by people exposed to AFFF fire foam include:
- Thyroid disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Reproductive problems
- Preeclampsia in pregnant women.
The Current Status of AFFF Fire Foam Lawsuits
At present, the litigation in firefighting foam mass tort cases is still pending. This means that plaintiffs can still join the legal action and have their cases centralized in the multidistrict litigation.
So far, there are 8,400 pending cases in MDL 2873 in South Carolina. There has been no bellwether trial so far or any global offer of settlement from the defendants. The defendants are:
- 3M Company
- BASF Corporation
- DuPont
- Tyco Fire Products.
The First AFFF Fire Foam Settlement Was Approved in June
Many potential clients who consult with a mass tort lawyer about joining the AFFF fire foam lawsuits want to know how much they may expect to get. It is too early to make estimates, given that there was no bellwether trial heard in court so far.
However, a recent settlement has been reached, and we will offer the details strictly for information purposes. Actual settlements of individual cases depend on many factors.
Thus, on June 11, 2024, a South Carolina judge gave a provisional approval for a $750 million settlement in a federal claim involving public water systems contamination with PFAS deriving from AFFF fire foam.
While the case has a very specific nature, it is a signal that the defendants may be open to settling more cases, especially after the bellwether trial.
Who Can Join the AFFF Fire Foam Lawsuits?
To join the litigation, you must prove exposure to AFFF fire foam and have developed one of the health conditions presented earlier in this article. From the profiles of plaintiffs that have already joined the litigation, we can state that most of them are:
- Firefighters
- Military personnel
- Airport workers
- Industrial workers in AFFF manufacturing facilities
- People living in areas where AFFF is regularly used.
Let a Mass Tort Lawyer Help You File an AFFF Fire Foam Lawsuit
If you believe you qualify to join the AFFF fire foam litigation, reach out to an experienced mass tort lawyer at Rueb Stoller Daniel. We will analyze your evidence and give you reliable legal advice.
If you have a valid case, we will represent you on a contingency fee basis – we will get our fees when you receive your settlement. You do not have to worry about attending court dates out of state, we will liaise and coordinate with other attorneys, protecting your individual interests.
Do not waste valuable time – call us at 1-866-CALL-RSD to schedule a free case review!
