For Immediate Release
June 2, 2023
B
ig news today for Firefighters who developed cancer after exposure to PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and are now in the AFFF Firefighter foam litigation as well as others who are pursuing PFAS lawsuits. Reuters repoted that several corporate Defendants have announced a settlement of the PFA lawsuits filed by various U.S. cities alleging that the PFAS manufactured or released by them polluted American drinking water sources across the United States. 3M has agreed to pay 10 billion dollars to the Cities while 3 other companies–Dupont de Nemours, Inc., Chemours, Co., and Corteva, Inc.–have agreed to pay 1.19 billion. The basis of the PFAS lawsuits is that the PFAS have to be filtered out of the water and due to changing federal laws many water treatment plants and facilities have to be retrofitted and redesigned to filter out the required amount of PFAS from the water.
PFAS in Our Water, Land, and Bodies
PFAs (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl, substances) have been dubbed “forever chemicals” because they are manmade chemicals found in many products (particularly those requiring waterproofing) that never break down once created. As they are released into our land and water resources by dumping, burning, or spraying, they pollute whatever they come into contact with. As we consume them in our drinking water, they build up in our system over time because they never go away. At certain levels, they are known carcinogens.
PFAS Lawsuits Due to Firefighter Foam Exposure
Firefighters face greater exposure to PFAs because not only is it in the water they drink, it is in the firefighter foam, the materials that make up their flame-retardant suits, and in the powder that is mixed by firefighters to make the AFFF foam. Cancer was the cause of death for 66% of career firefighter line-of-duty deaths between 2002 and 2019. This number is far higher than the rest of the population. In addition, when tested, firefighters often show 10x times the amount of PFAS in their system as anyone else in the U.S. population.
Significance of this PFAS Lawsuit Settlement
This PFAS lawsuit settlement is important because this case was largely viewed as the first Bellwether trial for the PFAS lawsuits filed by various classes and groups of individuals who have been exposed to PFAS in a variety of ways. The trial was set to start on June 5th, 2023. It is also important because settlement talks have been underway in the AFFF cancer litigation. Tens of thousands of plaintiffs in the firefighter foam litigation have been keeping a watchful eye on the outcome of this particular PFAS lawsuit.
Now is the Time to File Your AFFF Cancer Claim if You are a Firefighter Who Developed a Qualifying Cancer or PFAS Lawsuit
If you are a firefighter who developed qualifying cancer after working with AFFF foam, now is the time to get tested and get your claim submitted since settlement talks are already underway. Talk to an AFFF cancer lawsuit lawyer today to learn your rights. Call 713-932-0777 to get connected and get a free consultation today. Additionally, PFAS lawsuits are being filed for individuals who have developed certain cancers due to high levels of exposure to PFAS from living in areas where the water was known to be more contaminated than other areas.
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