What To Do If You’ve Been Exposed to AFFF?
Imagine a threat so insidious that it creeps into your life without warning, wreaking havoc on your health. AFFF, once hailed as a hero for combating fire, now poses a serious risk to those who have come in contact with it, especially firefighters.
If you suspect AFFF exposure-related health issues, seek immediate medical evaluation, collect evidence of your exposure to the toxic chemicals, and consult an AFFF lawyer for legal guidance.
What Is Firefighting Foam?
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) is a widely used fire suppressant agent that extinguishes fires caused by flammable liquids in various settings such as firefighting vehicles, training facilities, and fire suppression systems (aboard ships and shore facilities). However, the presence of per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in AFFF has raised concerns regarding its toxicity.
Composition of AFFF and the Presence of PFAS
AFFF comprises hydrocarbon-based surfactants, such as sodium alkyl sulfate, fluorosurfactants, and PFAS chemicals. Some common PFAS chemicals in AFFF include perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), also known as forever chemicals.
Why Is AFFF Firefighting Foam Toxic?
The toxic nature of AFFF stems from the PFAS chemicals it contains. According to Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS exposure poses significant risks to human health. What makes them especially dangerous is their ability to persist in the environment, wildlife, waterways, and even the human body. The strong carbon-fluorine bonds in PFAS prevent them from breaking down easily, resulting in long-term contamination and potential harm.
Link to Cancer and Health Issues
PFAS exposure is strongly linked to various health risks, including cancer. The toxic nature of PFAS substances raises significant concerns regarding the potential risks faced by individuals exposed to firefighting foam. Health issues associated with PFAS include:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Breast cancer
- Blood cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Liver cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Leukemia
- Thyroid disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
What Steps Should I Take After Being Exposed to Firefighting Foam?
If you have been exposed to toxic AFFF firefighting foam, take the following steps to protect your rights and file a firefighting foam lawsuit.
Gather Medical Records
Collect your medical records, which may include your cancer diagnosis, the timing of the diagnosis, and notes from your doctor regarding the severity of your symptoms and the impact on your daily life. These records should also contain medical treatments you have undergone, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery.
Document Medical Bills
Keeping a comprehensive record of all medical bills related to AFFF exposure is crucial. This may include expenses for tests, follow-up visits, cancer treatments, and procedures, as well as any required durable medical equipment or in-home care costs. By maintaining such records, you can accurately assess the financial impact of your medical expenses and have clear documentation of all the incurred costs.
Preserve Evidence of PFAS Exposure
Ensure to keep a detailed record of important information about your PFAS exposure, including where and how it happened. Whether you are a firefighter, serving in the Navy, or working at an airport, document all the details of your exposure. In addition, if the exposure is due to contaminated groundwater over a long period, then work closely with an experienced firefighting foam lawyer to strengthen your case.
Connect With Experienced Firefighting Foam Attorneys
When dealing with an AFFF lawsuit, it is vital to seek the expertise of a specialized lawyer in this field. Uptown Injury has a proven track record of success in handling various toxic tort cases, including occupational exposure and personal injury claims related to firefighting foam. Our firefighting foam cancer lawyers will identify the responsible parties, accurately assess your damages and guide you through the entire legal process.
Why You Deserve Compensation for AFFF-Related Damages?
When you bravely serve as a firefighter or military personnel, your utmost commitment is to protect and save lives. However, this noble duty may have exposed you to PFAS chemicals, affecting your health and well-being. The following are some reasons that support your compensation for AFFF-related damages:
Putting Your Life at Risk
As a firefighter, you bravely face dangerous situations to protect others, whether you serve in the Navy, at airports, or elsewhere. You often encounter high levels of toxic chemicals during your dedicated efforts to save lives.
Manufacturer’s Negligence
Unfortunately, the companies manufacturing AFFF firefighting foam have failed to prioritize consumer safety. They neglected to implement appropriate safety measures and provided insufficient protection. As a consequence, the well-being of firefighters and civilians who come into contact with PFAS chemicals is compromised.
The Devastating Impact of Cancer Diagnosis
A cancer diagnosis has the potential to significantly alter one’s life, imposing serious restrictions and challenges. Moreover, when cancer goes undetected or reaches its advanced stages, both the physical and financial consequences can be devastating. It may even result in the loss of life.
Therefore, by initiating AFFF claims, you’re not only seeking justice for your suffering and compensation for your medical expenses but also holding manufacturers and distributors accountable for their negligence.
How Can a Lawyer Help You in AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuits?
Obtaining damages for the harm caused by exposure to firefighting foam requires the expertise of a lawyer proficient in mass tort lawsuits. A skilled attorney can effectively secure a just outcome and increase your chances of receiving maximum compensation.
Efficient Handling of Legal Processes
Going through the legal process, especially with tricky AFFF cases, can be hard and stressful. But a good firefighting foam lawyer can make things easier. They take care of all the important papers for your lawsuit, negotiate with the defendant’s attorneys and provide representation in court.
Collect Evidence
Your firefighting foam lawyer won’t just handle the paperwork. They will also do the hard work of digging deep to find more proof that could be key to winning your case. Their careful work makes sure your AFFF lawsuit stands on strong facts, raising the likelihood of a favorable outcome. This level of dedication can give you confidence and help you fight for justice.
Settlement Negotiations
Your lawyer will take legal action against one or more manufacturers or suppliers that caused your exposure to AFFF. Depending on the situation, this could involve working out a deal with those at fault or taking your case to a judge to decide. Ultimately, the goal is to get you the money you should have from the company at fault.
What Is the Potential Settlement Amount for AFFF Lawsuits?
Based on our analysis, the average settlement amount for an AFFF lawsuit could be over $150,000, and the average jury verdict could exceed $1,000,000.
Right now, the manufacturers of the firefighting foam, also known as Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), aren’t keen on settling. But, when we try to guess how much an AFFF lawsuit might settle for, a lot of things matter, such as the severity of the injury, the strength of evidence, and several other factors.
Consult Uptown Injury to File an AFFF Cancer Lawsuit
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an illness and suspect AFFF firefighting foam as the cause, it is recommended to act quickly and seek legal help.
At Uptown Injury, our team of seasoned AFFF lawyers is standing by, ready to fight for you. We understand the complexities of these cases and are committed to guiding you through the legal process with unwavering dedication. In addition, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay a dime unless we win your case.
Our experienced attorneys are here to offer a FREE consultation on your case. Reach out to our attorney at 855-233-8728.
FAQs
How Does Firefighting Foam Pose Health Risks?
Toxic firefighting foam, containing forever chemicals (PFAS), actively links to various health risks. These risks include chronic diseases such as testicular cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid disease, and other severe medical conditions.
How Are Military Firefighters Exposed to PFAS Contamination?
Military firefighters are exposed to PFAS primarily through the use of AFFF firefighting foams, particularly aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), in training and fire suppression. This exposure can occur directly through skin contact, inhalation, or indirectly via contaminated water or soil on military bases
Who Can File an AFFF Lawsuit?
Individuals with direct exposure to AFFF, such as military firefighters, airport personnel, or residents who live in areas where firefight foam is regularly used and have suffered serious health issues, may be eligible to file a firefighting foam lawsuit.
What Role Does a Firefighting Foam Lawyer Play in AFFF Lawsuits?
A firefighting foam lawyer is an expert in handling lawsuits related to AFFF and is specifically experienced in toxic tort cases. They possess the knowledge and skills to guide you through the legal process, assess the merits of your claim, collect relevant evidence, and advocate on your behalf to pursue compensation for the damages caused by AFFF exposure.
Can I file an Individual AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit or as Part of a Group?
Yes, AFFF foam lawsuits can be filed individually and as part of a group, such as an AFFF class action lawsuit or firefighting foam MDL. The decision to file individually or as part of a group depends on various factors. These factors may include the circumstances of your case and the legal strategies recommended by your firefighting foam attorney.Yes, AFFF foam lawsuits can be filed individually and as part of a group, such as an AFFF class action lawsuit or firefighting foam MDL. The decision to file individually or as part of a group depends on various factors. These factors may include the circumstances of your case and the legal strategies recommended by your firefighting foam attorney.
How Much Compensation Can I Seek With the Help of an AFFF Lawyer?
With the assistance of an AFFF lawyer, you can seek compensation for various damages resulting from exposure to AFFF, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related losses. However, the amount of compensation you receive will depend on the overall strength of your claim.
