AFFF Firefighter Foam Lawsuit
A nationwide lawsuit by firefighters, military members, and others harmed by toxic 'forever chemicals' in firefighting foam.
AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) is a firefighting foam used since the 1960s to put out fuel fires at military bases, airports, and refineries. AFFF contains PFAS — sometimes called 'forever chemicals' — which build up in the body and the environment and have been linked to cancers, immune problems, thyroid disease, and elevated cholesterol. Thousands of firefighters, military members, airport workers, and people who lived near bases or training sites where AFFF was used or where PFAS contaminated drinking water have filed lawsuits. Most cases are consolidated in a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the District of South Carolina. Common qualifying cancers include kidney, testicular, bladder, prostate, pancreatic, leukemia, lymphoma, and others. Water-contamination cases are also being filed by water utilities and people whose drinking water tested high for PFAS. Settlements have begun for water utility cases; personal injury bellwether trials are still being scheduled.
In real life
- A retired military firefighter with kidney cancer files into the AFFF MDL.
- An airport firefighter diagnosed with testicular cancer joins the litigation.
- A homeowner whose well tested high for PFAS near a former Air Force base files a personal injury claim.
Also known as
Frequently asked questions about AFFF Firefighter Foam Lawsuit
Who can file?+
People exposed to AFFF (firefighters, military, airport workers) or to PFAS-contaminated water who later developed qualifying conditions.
What conditions qualify?+
Common qualifying conditions include kidney, testicular, bladder, prostate, and pancreatic cancers, plus certain leukemias and lymphomas.
Where are the cases?+
Most are consolidated in MDL 2873 in the District of South Carolina.
Have any settlements happened?+
Yes — large water-utility settlements have been announced. Personal injury cases are still proceeding.
Source: atsdr.cdc.gov