Firefighters are heroes who risk their lives to protect people and property from fires. They use various tools and equipment to perform their duties, including firefighting foam, which is a substance that can suppress fires that are not easily extinguished by water alone. However, this foam contains chemicals that can pose serious health risks to those who are exposed to it, as well as to the environment. In this blog post, we will explain what firefighting foam is, why it is harmful, and how you can join the AFFF mass tort lawsuit if you have suffered from its effects.
What Is Firefighting Foam and How Does It Work?
Firefighting foam, also known as Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), is a product that creates a film of water and surfactants over the surface of a fire, cutting off the oxygen supply and smothering the flames. AFFF was developed in the 1960s and has been widely used by the U.S. Navy, the Air Force, and civilian fire departments to combat fires involving flammable liquids, such as jet fuel, gasoline, and oil.
AFFF works by forming a barrier between the fuel and the air, preventing the fire from spreading or reigniting. AFFF also cools down the fuel and reduces the amount of smoke and toxic gases produced by the fire. AFFF is effective in extinguishing Class B fires, which are fires that involve flammable or combustible liquids.
What Are the Dangers of Firefighting Foam?
While firefighting foam may be useful in putting out fires, it also contains chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment. AFFF contains chemicals called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are synthetic compounds that are resistant to heat, water, and oil. PFAS are also known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment or in the human body.
PFAS can contaminate groundwater, soil, and drinking water sources near the sites where AFFF was used or stored. PFAS can also accumulate in the blood, organs, and tissues of people who are exposed to them through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact.
PFAS have been linked to various health problems, such as cancer, thyroid disease, liver damage, immune system disorders, reproductive issues, and developmental defects. According to a study by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), firefighters who used AFFF had higher levels of PFAS in their blood than the general population. Moreover, some communities near military bases or airports where AFFF was used have reported higher rates of cancer and other illnesses among their residents.
How Can You Join the AFFF Mass Tort Lawsuit?
The AFFF mass tort lawsuit is a legal action that involves thousands of plaintiffs who have filed individual lawsuits against the manufacturers of firefighting foam, such as 3M, DuPont, Tyco, Chemguard, and others. These plaintiffs allege that these companies knew or should have known about the dangers of PFAS in their products, but failed to warn the users or the public about them. They also claim that these companies concealed or misrepresented scientific evidence about the health risks of PFAS and continued to market and sell their products despite knowing their harmful effects.
The AFFF mass tort lawsuit is not a class action lawsuit, which means that each plaintiff has their own case and can seek their own compensation based on their specific injuries and damages. However, these cases are consolidated in a multidistrict litigation (MDL), which is a procedure that allows similar lawsuits to be transferred to one federal court for pretrial proceedings. The MDL for the AFFF mass tort lawsuit is located in the District of South Carolina under Judge Richard M. Gergel.
The plaintiffs in the AFFF mass tort lawsuit include firefighters who used firefighting foam in their work or training; military personnel who were exposed to firefighting foam on bases or during operations; and residents who lived near sites where firefighting foam was used or stored and whose water sources were contaminated by PFAS. These plaintiffs seek compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, punitive damages, and more.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with cancer or another illness after being exposed to firefighting foam or PFAS-contaminated water, you may be eligible to join the AFFF mass tort lawsuit and pursue justice and compensation from the liable manufacturers. However, you need to act fast because there are statutes of limitations that limit the time you have to file a claim.
To join the AFFF mass tort lawsuit, you need to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you gather evidence of your exposure and injury; file your lawsuit in the appropriate court; negotiate with the defendants or their insurance companies; and represent you in court if necessary. A personal injury lawyer can also advise you on your legal rights and options; protect you from any attempts to undermine your claim; and fight for your best interests throughout the legal process.
If you are looking for a qualified personal injury lawyer who can handle your AFFF mass tort lawsuit case with skill and compassion, look no further than our team at Mass Tort Intake Center. We have extensive experience in handling mass tort cases involving defective products, environmental contamination, and personal injury. We have the resources, the knowledge, and the dedication to help you achieve a favorable outcome for your AFFF mass tort lawsuit claim.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our AFFF mass tort lawsuit attorneys. We will review your case, answer your questions, and explain how we can help you. There is no obligation and no fee unless we win your case. Don’t wait any longer. Fill out the form to get your free claim review now.
