Firefighter Foam Cash Settlements | Compensation for Injuries

What is a Firefighting Foam Settlement?

For more than 50 years, firefighting foam, known as aqueous film-forming foam or AFFF, has been used at airports and on military bases across the United States.

However, firefighting foam contains dangerous PFAS, which don’t break down over time. PFAS can accumulate for years or even decades in the human body, leading to cancer and other severe health problems.

To seek compensation for their injuries, many firefighters have chosen to file AFFF cancer lawsuits over their occupational exposure to PFAS. Successful Aqueous Film Forming Foam lawsuit result in the following types of compensation:

• AFFF lawsuit settlement – Compensation negotiated by the injured party and agreed to by the defendants without the case going to court.
• AFFF verdict – If the parties fail to reach a settlement, the case will go to trial. During the trial, both sides present their case, and a judge and jury decide the outcome in a verdict.

Firefighting Foam Litigation Status

In December 2022 alone, at least 100 new AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits were added to the class action MDL, bringing the total number of cases in the litigation to nearly 3,500. These cases are a mix of individual personal injury lawsuits filed on behalf of former firefighters and veterans with cancer and municipal water contamination lawsuits brought by local water authorities.

The first bellwether trial is set for June 2023; however, this is in a municipal water contamination case, not a personal injury case.

How Does AFFF Work?

AFFF foams are composed of a thin aqueous film that spreads rapidly above the fuel surface, separating the fuel from the oxygen supply. In contrast, alcohol-resistant foams (AR-AFFF and AR-F3) form a polymer layer to extinguish class B polar solvent fires. This prevents foam destruction by the fuels.

What is Replacing AFFF?

GreenFire Firefighting Foam, or GFFF, is a fluorine-free foam replacement for AFFF and the leading foam that is safe for firefighters. GFFF is a class B foam that is non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.

See all related toxic tort cases we’ve covered.

Is AFFF Foam Still Used?

While the amount of AFFF firefighting foam at petroleum facilities has been greatly reduced in recent years, large quantities of the product remain at airports and military installations across the U.S., which are still required by federal standards to use AFFF.

FAQs

1. How Does the Amount of Compensation in Firefighter Foam Cases Vary?

Compensation amounts vary based on factors such as the severity of health issues, medical costs, lost wages, and the degree of liability or negligence proven in the case.

2. What Evidence Is Needed to Support a Firefighter Foam Exposure Claim?

Evidence needed includes medical records showing health issues, documentation of foam exposure, employment records, and proof of the link between foam use and health conditions.

3. Can Individuals Who Used Firefighter Foam Years Ago Still File for Compensation?

Yes, individuals can file claims for firefighter foam exposure even if it occurred years ago, depending on statutes of limitations and whether they can prove ongoing health effects from the exposure.

Get a Free Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

The Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new legal challenges in all 50 states.

If you or a loved one was injured by PFAS contamination, you should contact our law firm immediately for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.