AFFF & PFAS Lawyers — Firefighting Foam & Forever Chemical Litigation
AFFF firefighting foam has been standard issue for military bases, airports, and fire departments for decades. But evidence increasingly shows that AFFF contains PFAS — ‘forever chemicals’ — that accumulate in the body and are linked to serious disease. Trial Lawyers United represents firefighters, military personnel, residents, and municipal water authorities exposed to PFAS contamination.
What is AFFF and Why Does It Contain PFAS?
Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) is a fire suppressant designed to extinguish flammable liquid fires by creating a protective film on fuel surfaces. AFFF has been the standard suppression agent at military installations, civilian airports, petroleum facilities, and fire training grounds since the 1960s.
PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are the active ingredient in AFFF. These synthetic chemicals are extremely stable and resist heat, oil, and water. But that same persistence means they do not break down in the environment or the human body. PFAS accumulates in blood, organs, and tissues, leading to what health scientists call ‘forever chemicals.’
Timeline: Known Risks, Delayed Warnings
- 1960s–1970s: Military and commercial adoption of AFFF becomes widespread across U.S. bases and airports.
- 1970s: Internal manufacturer studies document PFAS toxicity and potential for bioaccumulation.
- 1998–2002: Dupont knowingly releases PFOA (a PFAS chemical) into drinking water supplies near its manufacturing plant in West Virginia; settles with residents decades later.
- 2009: EPA begins investigating PFAS in drinking water; places voluntary restrictions on AFFF manufacturers.
- 2016: FDA restricts long-chain PFAS in food contact materials; military continues AFFF use.
- 2020–Present: Hundreds of military bases and communities discover PFAS contamination in groundwater and drinking water supplies.
Who May Qualify for an AFFF/PFAS Claim?
- Active-duty military personnel stationed at bases where AFFF was used or where water contamination occurred.
- Military veterans with documented exposure and corresponding medical diagnoses.
- Firefighters and fire academy instructors with career-long AFFF exposure.
- Airport and aviation employees exposed through fire suppression training and emergency response.
- Residents living within a certain distance of military bases, airports, or industrial sites where AFFF was applied.
- Employees and residents near petroleum refineries, chemical plants, and other industrial facilities using AFFF.
- Municipal water authorities whose water supplies were contaminated by AFFF migration.
PFAS-Related Injuries and Illnesses
Epidemiological evidence links PFAS exposure to multiple serious health conditions:
- Kidney cancer: increased incidence among high-exposure populations.
- Testicular cancer: significant association with PFOA exposure.
- Thyroid disease: elevated TSH and thyroid dysfunction.
- Ulcerative colitis: gastrointestinal inflammatory disease linked to high PFAS levels.
- Liver damage: elevated liver enzymes and fibrosis.
- Immune suppression: reduced vaccine efficacy, increased infection risk.
- Hormonal and reproductive disorders: endocrine disruption, reduced fertility, pregnancy complications.
- High cholesterol: PFAS effects on lipid metabolism.
Defendants in AFFF/PFAS Litigation
Multiple manufacturers produced and sold AFFF products, including:
- 3M Company (major AFFF producer; used in Aqueous Film-Forming Foams sold to military and commercial entities).
- DuPont de Nemours and successor companies (produced PFOA and other PFAS for AFFF).
- Chemours Company (spun off from DuPont; continued PFAS production).
- Tyco Fire Products (acquired AFFF product lines; distributed products nationally).
MDL 2873: AFFF Litigation Consolidated in South Carolina
Thousands of AFFF-related cases have been consolidated into Multi-District Litigation (MDL) No. 2873 in the District of South Carolina. This centralized proceeding allows coordinated discovery, expert testimony, and settlement negotiations. Trial Lawyers United actively participates in MDL 2873 to advance plaintiff interests.
Evidence Needed to Support Your Claim
- Documentation of exposure: duty assignments, training records, deployment orders, facility location history.
- Medical records: diagnostic reports, treatment history, laboratory results confirming PFAS-related conditions.
- Water testing data: results showing PFAS contamination in drinking water supplies where you lived or worked.
- Temporal relationship: diagnosis or symptom onset within a reasonable period following significant exposure.
Trial Lawyers United’s Role in AFFF MDL 2873
We investigate exposure pathways, retain toxicologists and epidemiologists to establish causation, and build comprehensive injury profiles. We collaborate with co-counsel to share resources and maximize case value in the MDL context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can file an AFFF/PFAS claim?
Anyone with documented PFAS exposure — whether occupational or environmental — who developed one of the recognized PFAS-related conditions. You must establish temporal proximity between exposure and diagnosis.
What is an MDL and how does it affect my case?
An MDL consolidates similar cases before a single judge for coordinated pretrial activity. Rather than dozens of separate trials, the parties conduct joint discovery and often reach global settlements. Your individual case remains yours; the MDL streamlines the process.
What is the statute of limitations for AFFF claims?
Generally, the statute of limitations begins when you knew (or should have known) that your illness was caused by PFAS exposure. We evaluate tolling doctrines on a case-by-case basis. Contact us to discuss your specific timeline.
What does it cost to hire Trial Lawyers United?
We represent AFFF claimants on a contingency-fee basis: you pay nothing unless we obtain a settlement or judgment on your behalf. Costs (experts, discovery, filing fees) are also advanced by our firm.
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The mass tort litigation described on this website is based on publicly available information about ongoing legal proceedings. Case status, MDL rulings, settlement programs, and qualification criteria are subject to change. The information on this page is current as of the date indicated and may not reflect the most recent developments in the litigation.
Filing a case inquiry or contacting our office does not guarantee that you have a viable claim. All potential claims are subject to individual evaluation, including a review of your exposure history, medical records, and the applicable statute of limitations in your state.
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Time limits apply. Every state sets its own deadline for filing a personal injury or mass tort claim. These deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, vary by state, by the type of claim, and by individual circumstances such as the date of diagnosis or discovery of the injury. Failing to file within the applicable deadline may permanently bar your right to seek compensation. If you believe you have a claim, contact an attorney promptly to determine the filing deadline that applies to your situation.
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