Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) is used as a fire suppressant to put out Class B fires. Water alone isn’t enough to extinguish fires caused by some flammable liquids like gasoline or oil. To assist in snuffing out these kinds of blazes, firefighters have for decades now been using AFFF because it covers the liquid flame in a film and smothers the fire.
The film essentially acts as an obstruction that hinders oxygen from getting into contact with the flammable liquid, thereby stopping any chance of reignition. AFFF firefighting foam has been used in both training exercises and actual fires across various organizations. Sadly, most of the chemical constituents in AFFF can accrue inside the body as time lapses and negatively affect human health.
AFFF consist of several toxic chemicals, and prolonged exposure to these firefighting foam chemicals significantly increases your chances of developing an array of serious, deadly ailments, including cancer. If you or somebody close to you has been diagnosed with any form of cancer or illness after being exposed to AFFF firefighting foam, you can pursue reimbursement for damages suffered.
Get in touch with Rueb Stoller Daniel now to find out how our AFFF lawsuit attorneys can assist you file your personal injury claim against negligent manufacturers. When you enlist us, you can expect personalized guidance, client-based legal support, and aggressive advocacy throughout the legal proceedings.
Contact us today at 1-866-CALL-RSD to book a FREE, no-obligation initial consultation and case review!
What Is AFFF?
For over half a century now, aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) has been widely used to put out dangerous, combustible liquid fires like fuel fires and certain chemical fires. Although it may be effective at snuffing out these kinds of fires, AFFF can be very dangerous to animals, humans, and the ecosystem.
AFFF consists of multiple toxic chemicals, including hydrocarbon-based and fluorinated surfactants, which scientific studies have proven to be carcinogenic. Fluorinated surfactants fall under a class of chemical substances referred to as polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.
Since the human body cannot break them down, PFAS are referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ because they remain in the body permanently. PFAS is the main constituent of many AFFF firefighting foams. Following a report released by the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS tend to accrue in the body over time – as well as in the environment. Subsequently, this can result in a slew of environmental dangers and ailments.
Which Illnesses Have Been Linked to AFFF?
There are two PFAS compounds or chemicals in firefighting foam: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can see them accumulate in the body to dangerous levels and have been linked to many illnesses including:
- Kidney Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hashimoto’s Disease
- Graves’ Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Bladder Cancer
- Blood Cancers (leukemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma)
- Breast Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
If you or somebody you love has been diagnosed with any of the aforementioned forms of cancer, or if a loved one has succumbed as a result of complications resulting from these kinds of cancer after AFFF exposure, you could be eligible to seek legal redress. Our AFFF lawsuit attorneys at Rueb Stoller Daniel can help you in filing a mass litigation claim.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Exposed to AFFF?
If you or somebody close to you has contracted a form of cancer after exposure to firefighting form, consulting with a physician for a thorough assessment is key. After getting examined, you should get in touch with one of our seasoned firefighting foam attorneys at Rueb Stoller Daniel.
We provide complimentary consultations to persons who feel they may qualify to pursue reimbursement through a class-action lawsuit. During the complimentary case review, we will:
- Guide you through your viable legal options
- Evaluate your case and clarify any questions you may have concerning the case
- Discuss the likelihood of joining the class-action suit against negligent manufacturers
A lawyer can assist investigate your claim and gather the evidence you need to prove your case. If you worked in the Navy or airport as a firefighter, those documents would also indicate when you were possibly exposed. A lawyer can assist review what chemicals were used in your workplace and pinpoint scenarios where you may have been directly exposed.
We offer our consultation services on a contingency basis and there’s no obligation to enlist us afterwards. If you choose to move forward with us as your legal counsel, we will offer our services on a contingency fee plan.
How Do AFFF Lawsuits Work?
To prove the validity of your AFFF lawsuit, you’ll want a personal injury lawyer by your side to explain your legal rights and provide you with proper information on what you will need to provide including:
- Medical records. Your medical documents will have your diagnosis and when it was carried out, notes from your physician about the seriousness of your symptoms, and the facets of your life that have been affected. These records will also provide information regarding any cancer treatments required, including surgical treatment, radiation, and chemotherapy.
- Medical bills. Your medical costs will assist form the basis of your AFFF exposure lawsuit. Gather all medical costs associated with your cancer diagnosis, including costs of examinations, follow-ups, cancer treatments, and any operations conducted. You may also put in expenses for any medical equipment used during your ailment or for long-term in-home care.
- Evidence of your AFFF exposure. Where and in what context did you get AFFF exposure? Were you a firefighter at a local fire station, in an airport, or on a Navy base? Did you suffer exposure to AFFF chemicals in groundwater that you drank or was the exposure over time? A committed AFFF foam lawyer at Rueb Stoller Daniel can assist you figure all this out and gather the necessary evidence proving your AFFF exposure.
Do I Qualify for the AFFF Foam Lawsuits?
We are presently taking on new clients pursuing AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits. At the law offices of Rueb Stoller Daniel, for plaintiffs to qualify, they must meet these two criteria:
AFFF Exposure: Some individuals working in certain fields are more at risk of exposure to these dangerous chemicals found in AFFF firefighting foam. Eligible plaintiffs must definitively prove that they were frequently exposed to PFAS from handling AFFF firefighting foam while on the clock (e.g., airport worker, firefighter, etc.) or from contaminated groundwater
Cancer Diagnosis: Plaintiffs who definitively show that they faced exposure to AFFF for prolonged durations will also have to indicate that they were diagnosed with one or more of the cancers affiliated with PFAS: bladder, liver, pancreatic, prostate, testicular, ovarian, kidney, etc.
Contact Rueb Stoller Daniel to Learn If You Can Pursue a Aqueous Film-Forming Foam Claim
Many victims exposed to AFFF are filing class-action suits against companies who made and sold the foam, claiming that they were aware of the potential health concerns but sold them anyway. The claims argue that the manufacturers should be held culpable for the harm caused by AFFF firefighting foam.
If you believe that you or somebody close to you is dealing with a health complication resulting from aqueous film-forming foam exposure, you could have grounds to seek reimbursement. The damages you obtain can assist you get medical care or pay existing health care expenses.
Call Rueb Stoller Daniel today at 1-866-CALL-RSD to find out whether you are eligible to file an aqueous film-forming foam lawsuit.