Firefighter Foam Cash Settlements: What To Know

AFFF Lawsuit Settlement Amounts: Projections and Estimates for AFFF Settlements

Currently, AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits are in the early stages, so putting an average price on how much settlements can potentially be is difficult.

Projected settlement amounts for individual AFFF foam lawsuits may be between $40,000 and $300,000.

AFFF Lawsuit settlement amounts rely upon the facts of an individual’s case, their damages, and developments in the AFFF litigation.

Please be advised that any projected or estimated settlement amounts mentioned on this page are general estimations and are not guaranteed. These figures are based on similar previous litigations, the nature of injuries sustained, and estimated costs of damages. They are meant to provide a general idea of what settlement ranges could look like and should not be taken as definitive expectations for your case.

Every legal case is unique, with its own specific circumstances that can significantly affect the outcome. This information is not legal advice and does not address the specifics of your situation. To obtain a more accurate understanding of the potential value of your case, it is best to consult directly with a qualified attorney who can provide personalized guidance.

Overview of the Firefighter Foam Cash Settlements

Individuals and local governments are filing AFFF Lawsuits against the manufacturers of toxic firefighting foam.

Citing the development of different health conditions after exposure to firefighter foam and the environmental impacts of PFAS contamination, AFFF Lawsuits advocate for maximum financial compensation to resolve these issues.

Firefighter foam cash settlements are now being sought by individuals and local governments who have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers of the hazardous foam.

Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) has been used since the 1960s to extinguish highly flammable liquid fires started by class B materials such as jet fuel, gasoline, and more.

Individuals working at airports, military bases, chemical plants, and other locations where firefighting foam was widely used have an increased risk of the associated diseases due to occupational exposure.

What is the AFFF MDL?

A panel of federal judges consolidated AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuits into multidistrict litigation (MDL), known as the AFFF Firefighting Foam MDL.

The AFFF MDL is centralized in the US District Court for the District of South Carolina.

Multidistrict litigation (MDL) is a special federal legal procedure designed to speed the process of handling complex litigations by consolidating cases and addressing all pretrial procedures in one court.

When a large number of people who have all been affected by the same thing file individual lawsuits, the federal court system allows for the consolidation of these cases into an MDL to make them easier to manage.

The original lawsuits do not have to be in the same state.

MDLs take cases from multiple federal districts (each state has at least one district), and puts them into one district court.

This single district court, and one judge, then address all the discovery and pretrial procedures that apply to every case – cutting the costs and amount of resources needed, and keeping court rulings consistent with similar cases.

Multidistrict litigation is often grouped together with the term “class action lawsuit”, “AFFF class action lawsuit”, and “AFFF class action MDL”, but this is an entirely different type of litigation.

In multidistrict litigation, a potential settlement would be divided among plaintiffs according to the facts and damages of their individual cases.

A class action lawsuit, on the other hand, divides a settlement evenly among all plaintiffs.

In a class action lawsuit, all plaintiffs will receive the same amount financial compensation regardless of the details of their case or their personal suffering.

AFFF Lawsuits Filed by Municipal Governments

Besides staff members and military personnel, many civilians have suffered from PFAS exposure and developed cancer.

AFFF manufacturers may have supplied firefighting foam to companies and military bases that operated near communities.

Firefighting foam is said to have contaminated local water supplies, affecting individuals, wildlife, property, and more.

Apart from firefighting foam manufacturers, commercial airports, fire departments, military bases, and petroleum plants in the vicinity could have contributed to an area’s contamination.

Cases claiming diseases due to water pollution from AFFF products come from specific communities near the following locations:

• Peterson Air Force Base
• Colorado Springs Municipal Airport
• Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base
• Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster
• Several other locations

Other locations have also been implicated, and the demand for firefighter foam cash settlements continues to grow as more individuals and communities come forward with their claims.

Past AFFF Firefighting Foam Cases

Individual firefighting foam lawsuits have not yet been settled.

However, many AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits for PFAS contamination have been settled.

State of Minnesota v. 3M Company

In 2010, the state of Minnesota filed a lawsuit against the 3M Company.

They settled for $850 million in damages on February 20, 2018.

Minnesota’s attorney general claimed that the state’s water supply and natural resources in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area suffered PFAS contamination due to 3M’s production practices.

About $720 million of the settlement amount will go to projects concerning drinking water and natural resources in the Twin Cities east metropolitan region.

The state will allocate this fund after paying for legal expenses.

Trustees of the funds include the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Public U.S. Water Systems v. Chemours, Corteva, and DuPont

Chemours, Corteva, and DuPont are companies that faced thousands of lawsuits from around the country.

The plaintiffs, public water systems and municipalities across the United States, claimed that the companies were involved in the production of forever chemicals that contaminated the public water systems and led to serious health issues.

In Delaware, the companies reached and agreed to a $50 million settlement.

Nationwide, the total settlement for damages is $1.185 billion, which the companies will contribute to a fund.

Individually, Chemours, Corteva, and DuPont will contribute about $592 million, $193 million, and $400 million respectively.

Residents of Peshtigo, Wisconsin v. Tyco Fire Products, Chemguard, and ChemDesign

Tyco Fire Products, Chemguard, and ChemDesign agreed to compensate the residents of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, in a $17.5-million settlement AFFF class action lawsuit.

The companies involved in the case supplied firefighting foam products to other companies.

Usage of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) in the Peshtigo and Marinette areas led to widespread PFAS contamination.

The multimillion-dollar settlement will cover about 1,100 people who reside in around 270 homes throughout the affected area, plus roughly 100 people who have since relocated.

What Factors Affect the Strength of AFFF Lawsuits?

Before you file an AFFF lawsuit, it’s crucial that you understand the several factors that may impact your personal injury claims.

As mentioned previously, a potential settlement for the firefighting foam lawsuit relies on the facts and damages of an individual’s case.

Consider working with personal injury lawyers who specialize in firefighting foam cases.

Our attorneys and legal experts can assist plaintiffs in filing individual personal injury claims related to AFFF firefighting foam.

They can provide estimates of the potential outcome of your case by evaluating the primary factors, which usually include the points listed below.

Amount of AFFF Exposure and Firefighter Foam Cash Settlements

The quantity of chemicals you are exposed to may play a crucial role in determining the potential compensation you can seek in a successful AFFF cancer lawsuit.

Firefighters, especially those with military backgrounds stationed at air bases or municipal airports, may have experienced regular exposure to firefighting foam.

Other workers exposed to toxic firefighting foam may not have had as prolonged or consisted exposure to PFAS containing firefighting foam as military personnel or others in routine contact with the chemicals.

Severity of Health Problems and Cancer Diagnosis

Experts have linked AFFF foam exposure to a wide range of health problems and cancers.

Your eligibility for compensation may depend on the type and extent of damages incurred due to the exposure.

Individuals who developed cancer after being exposed to toxic chemicals in firefighting foam may be entitled to more compensation than those who have suffered from health problems labeled as more easily treatable.

Past and Present Medical Expenses

Settlement amounts in AFFF cancer lawsuits may depend on the medical expenses that victims have incurred.

These expenses usually include doctor visits for diagnosis, treatment costs, and multiple sessions.

If you’re not sure if your condition is linked to PFAS exposure from firefighting foam, reach out to an AFFF attorney.

Your firefighting foam lawyers can help you collect and retain evidence that is useful in your firefighting foam lawsuit.

Future Medical Expenses

Cancer treatments take time and often require ongoing medical care for victims to achieve full recovery.

Patients with AFFF-related cancer can factor in potential costs for future treatments.

Your lawyer could also fight to get compensation for future consultations with nutritionists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and physical therapists if the cancer you developed requires more extensive input.

Firefighting foam law firms can leverage their connections to help you calculate how much you can claim.

Firefighting Foam Linked to Cancer and Other Health Problems

Scientific studies have found that aqueous film forming foam that is manufactured with PFAS chemicals may be linked to several types of cancer and other serious health problems.

If you or a loved one developed cancer after being exposed to toxic chemicals in firefighting foam, you may be eligible to file an AFFF Lawsuit.

Contact our AFFF Lawyers for a free consultation.

Below are the different health problems linked to AFFF exposure.

Cancer from AFFF Exposure

Many plaintiffs have made cancer claims due to firefighter foam exposure.

These claims are backed up by scientific studies linking exposure to PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam to particular mechanisms that aid in developing cancer.

Cancer diagnosis related to AFFF exposure may include:

• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Testicular cancer

Thyroid Disease

Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology exploring the effects of PFAS prevalence in firefighter gear reported that thyroid disease and reproductive problems were potential health risks for people who worked with firefighting foam regularly.

Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes

In certain cases, such as the City of Stuart v. 3M Co., et al., residents claimed that firefighting foam contaminated the municipal water supply.

According to the involved lawyers, exposed individuals were prone to cardiovascular disease and diabetes in addition to the various cancers associated with AFFF.

Problems with Fertility and Child Development

The use of PFAS chemicals in certain AFFF formulations has been connected to reproductive and developmental complications.

Prolonged exposure to these substances can have an impact on fertility for both men and women, resulting in reduced sperm quality, hormonal imbalances, or difficulties in getting pregnant.

If exposed during pregnancy, these chemicals have been associated with negative effects on the development of the fetus, such as low birth weight, premature birth, and potential abnormalities in development.

It’s important to note that many states have phased out or significantly reduced the use of AFFF formulations containing PFOA and PFOS to mitigate these risks.

Harm to the Immune System

Exposure to AFFF components, especially PFOA and PFOS, has been associated with changes in the immune system.

These chemicals can affect the functioning of immune cells, weakening immune responses and making individuals more susceptible to infections and diseases.

Long-term exposure to these substances can affect the body’s ability to maintain a balanced and responsive immune system, potentially increasing the risk of autoimmune disorders.

Hire an Experienced Lawyer for the AFFF Exposure Lawsuit

AFFF lawyers can help you file an AFFF exposure lawsuit by analyzing your situation and determining your legal options.

If you plan to take action against companies involved in the AFFF firefighter lawsuit, be sure to consult a reputable firefighting foam law firm.

Since the litigation surrounding AFFF remains ongoing, your lawyers must keep up with the updates to ensure you maximize the cash settlements you can obtain.

Your AFFF Lawyers will help you gather evidence, assess damages, and provide guidance and support throughout the lawsuit.

Successful Firefighting Foam Cancer Lawsuits could potentially secure compensation for the costs of cancer treatments, future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.

TorHoerman Law: Your Firefighting Foam Cancer Lawyers

Our firefighting foam cancer lawyers are speaking to potential clients daily and assessing their eligibility to join the AFFF litigation.

We are accepting firefighting foam lawsuits in all 50 states.

If you or a loved one were exposed to AFFF firefighting foam and subsequently developed cancer or other related health issues, you may be eligible to file an AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file an AFFF Lawsuit instantly.

Firefighting foam exposure has been known to have extremely detrimental effects on the human body.

Legal action is being taken, and our attorneys are helping those exposed to toxic firefighting foams seek justice.

Reach out to us for more information.