injured? Have you used firefighting foam?

If you're a firefighter, military member, or airport worker who used AFFF firefighting foam and later developed cancer, you may be entitled to compensation. Thousands of lawsuits are being filed against manufacturers who knew about the dangers but failed to warn users.

Call (561) 960-9870 for Your Free Case Evaluation

Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), also known as firefighting foam, is a water-based foam that firefighters use to put out flammable liquid fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, firefighting foams form a "blanket" over liquid fuel that acts as a barrier, preventing flammable vapors from escaping the liquid.

• Used since the 1960s, especially inthe  military and at airports
• Extremely effective at extinguishing jet fuel and petroleum fires
• Contains PFAS chemicals that make it highly effective
• Creates a blanket that cuts off fuel from oxygen while smothering the fire
• Used in about 1,500 DOD facilities and over 6,800 mobile assets worldwide

• Military bases and installations
• Commercial airports (FAA-regulated facilities)
• Fire departments for fuel fire emergencies
• Naval vessels and aircraft carriers
• Industrial facilities with fuel storage
• Training exercises at fire academies

Sources: U.S. Fire Administration, U.S. Government Accountability Office, Department of Defense

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals." According to the EPA and Department of Veterans Affairs, PFAS can be detected in the blood of most people and are synthetic chemicals found in many products.

• They are persistent (do not break down) in the environment
• Remain in the body for years and build up over time
• Can bioaccumulate and cause dangerous health effects
• Do not degrade naturally in the environment

PFAS serve as surfactants that spread the foam to cool and suppress the fire. In the 1970s, the Department of Defense began using AFFF to fight fuel fires. The release of these chemicals into the environment during training and emergency responses is a major source of PFAS contamination of groundwater on military bases.

In April 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency published regulations related to PFAS in drinking water for the first time, establishing individual drinking water limits for five specific PFAS compounds.

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Veterans Affairs

Multiple studies have connected PFAS exposure from AFFF to serious health conditions, particularly various types of cancer.

According to the EPA and medical studies, PFAS exposure may increase the risk of several cancers:

• Testicular cancer - new NIH study shows higher risk among Air Force servicemen
• Kidney cancer - consistently linked in multiple studies
• Prostate cancer - studies show elevated risk
• Liver cancer - associated with PFAS exposure
• Bladder cancer - linked to firefighting foam exposure

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), studies suggest PFAS may be associated with:

• Fertility issues and pregnancy complications
• Decreased immune response
• Changes in liver enzymes
• Increased cholesterol levels
• Liver dysfunction
• Thyroid problems

A study of over 1,000 Air Force servicemen led by scientists from the National Institutes of Health shows that exposure to firefighting foam containing PFAS may be linked to a higher risk of developing testicular cancer.

Sources: Environmental Protection Agency, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, National Institutes of Health

• Air Force firefighters - used AFFF since the 1960s on bases
• Navy personnel - exposed on ships and naval installations
• Army firefighters - used AFFF at military installations
• Marines - exposure at bases and training facilities
• Coast Guard - used AFFF for marine firefighting

• Airport firefighters - The FAA requires AFFF use at regulated airports
• Municipal fire departments - used AFFF for fuel fire emergencies
• Industrial firefighters - at refineries and chemical plants
• Fire academy trainees - exposed during training exercises

• Aircraft maintenance personnel - exposure during hangar fires
• Fuel handling workers at airports and military bases
• Emergency response teams - hazmat and spill response
• Military contractors - working on bases where AFFF was used

• Family members - through contaminated clothing and equipment
• Base residents - drinking water contamination
• Community members - living near contaminated sites

Sources: Department of Defense, Federal Aviation Administration

Firefighters face risks from PFAS exposure beyond just the foam itself.

According to research and fire safety officials:

• Direct foam contact during training and emergency use
• Contaminated firefighting gear - PFAS in protective equipment
• Skin absorption - "We sweat, our pores open up, and forever chemicals can go into our body"
• Inhalation during fires and foam application

• Firefighters are particularly at risk because they are exposed to AFFF during both training and actual fires
• A study of Los Angeles firefighters showed elevated levels of PFOS and other PFAS chemicals
• Firefighting gear itself contains PFAS chemicals for water repellency
• Regular training exercises increased cumulative exposure

Many firefighters report they were never told about health risks:

• "We were still under the perception that firefighting foam was safe."
• No extra precautions were taken to avoid direct contact
• Safety protocols didn't account for PFAS dangers

Sources: Biomonitoring California, CBS News investigations, firefighter testimonials

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 required that DOD discontinue use of AFFF at its installations after October 1, 2024, with waivers possible until October 1, 2026.

• DOD has developed specifications for fluorine-free foam alternatives
• Initial estimates for transition costs exceed $2.1 billion
• Military departments have developed implementation plans and schedules

• Thirty-four states have introduced policies to ban or limit AFFF use
• Ohio is the first state committed to destroying all existing AFFF supplies
• Multiple states restrict AFFF use to emergency situations only

The EPA now regulates PFAS in drinking water and requires public water systems to monitor and reduce PFAS concentrations where levels exceed new standards.

Sources: National Defense Authorization Act, U.S. Government Accountability Office, Environmental Protection Agency

Lawsuits allege that AFFF manufacturers knew about PFAS health risks for decades, but:

• Failed to warn users about cancer risks
• Continued marketing AFFF as safe
• Hid scientific evidence of health dangers
• Prioritized profits over public safety

• Fluorine-free foams existed but weren't promoted
• Federal regulations required PFAS-containing foams
• Manufacturers could have developed safer alternatives sooner

• AFFF use contaminated groundwater at hundreds of military bases
• Communities near bases have contaminated drinking water
• Cleanup costs are estimated in the billions

• PFAS remain in the body for years
• Cancer diagnoses continue among exposed individuals
• Medical monitoring and treatment costs are substantial

You may qualify if you meet these criteria:

Exposure Requirements:

• Military service - served at bases where AFFF was used
• Firefighting career - civilian or military firefighter
• Airport employment - worked at airports using AFFF
• Industrial work - facilities that use AFFF for fuel fires
• Training participation - attended fire academies using AFFF
• Base residence - lived on or near military installations

Medical Requirements:

• Cancer diagnosis - particularly kidney, testicular, prostate, liver, or bladder cancer
• Medical documentation - pathology reports confirming diagnosis
• Timeline connection - cancer developed after the AFFF exposure period
• Physician confirmation - a medical professional has diagnosed cancer

Exposure Timeline:

• Long-term exposure - months or years of AFFF contact
• Regular use - routine training or emergency response
• High-concentration exposure - direct contact with foam

Important:

Even if you're not certain about exact exposure details, contact an attorney for evaluation. Medical and employment records can help establish exposure history.

Economic Damages:

• Medical expenses - cancer treatment costs, surgery, chemotherapy
• Lost wages - time off work for treatment and recovery
• Future medical costs - ongoing cancer treatment and monitoring
• Disability benefits - if unable to return to work
• Travel expenses - for specialized cancer treatment

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering - physical and emotional distress from cancer
• Loss of enjoyment of life - impact on daily activities and relationships
• Emotional distress - anxiety, depression, fear of cancer recurrence
• Loss of consortium - impact on marriage and family relationships

Punitive Damages:

• It may be available if manufacturers acted with gross negligence
• Designed to punish wrongdoing and deter future misconduct
• Based on evidence of corporate knowledge and cover-up

Special Considerations:

• Medical monitoring - ongoing cancer screening for exposed individuals
• Wrongful death - compensation for families who lost loved ones to AFFF-related cancer

Multi-District Litigation (MDL):

Most AFFF lawsuits have been consolidated in federal court in South Carolina for coordinated discovery while preserving individual rights to compensation.

Bellwether Trials:

Select cases will go to trial first to help establish settlement values and legal precedents for the broader litigation.

Individual Case Evaluation:

Despite coordination, each person's case is evaluated based on:

• Specific type and extent of exposure
• Type of cancer and prognosis
• Individual medical expenses and damages
• Impact on career and family life

Ongoing Discovery:

Attorneys are uncovering internal company documents that may show manufacturers' knowledge of AFFF dangers and decisions to hide health risks.

• Military service records showing assignment to bases using AFFF
• Employment history with fire departments or airports
• Training certificates from fire academies
• Work assignments involving AFFF use
• Witness statements from colleagues

• Cancer diagnosis and pathology reports
• Medical treatment records and oncology reports
• Imaging studies (CT scans, MRIs, PET scans)
• Physician statements connecting cancer to occupational exposure

• Service dates at installations using AFFF
• Employment periods in high-exposure jobs
• Date of cancer diagnosis relative to the exposure period

Our attorneys can help obtain military and employment records and work with medical professionals to establish the connection between AFFF exposure and your cancer diagnosis.

We understand the complexity of litigation against major chemical manufacturers and have the resources to fight large corporations.

We respect your service to our country and community, and we're committed to holding companies accountable for harming those who protect us.

You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you, and we advance all case costs.

We work with medical professionals, occupational health specialists, and investigators to build the strongest possible case.

While your case is part of coordinated litigation, you receive individual attention and regular updates on your specific case.

Military members, firefighters, and airport workers who used AFFF trusted that their equipment was safe. Chemical manufacturers betrayed that trust by hiding the dangers of PFAS chemicals for decades. If you developed cancer after AFFF exposure, you deserve justice and compensation. 

Free Consultation Available 24/7 | Call Us Today!

No Recovery, No Fee | Free Case Evaluation