Our AFFF Lawyers Are Helping Navy Personnel Exposed to AFFF Firefighting Foam

Our experienced firefighting foam lawyers are representing military veterans and others in AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits.

With our expertise in chemical exposure litigation, our goal is to help veterans and other affected military service members recover a settlement that compensates for medical expenses, lost wages, cancer treatments, and other applicable damages.

Our firefighting foam cancer lawyers are here to help you.

We can assess your eligibility to join others who have already filed their AFFF lawsuits against negligent companies and firefighting foam manufacturers.

Contact our firefighting foam attorneys today for your free consultation and find out if you qualify to join the AFFF firefighting foam MDL.

The Use of AFFF Firefighting Foam in the Navy

For more than five decades, the Department of Defense has required military firefighters from different military branches to use AFFF firefighting foam.

AFFF has been the proverbial gold standard of firefighting due to its capacity to contain flames caused by gasoline and fuel.

The U.S. Military has accounted for the majority of firefighting foam used over the past 50 years.

Researchers at the Naval Research Laboratory worked with 3M to develop aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) in the early 1960s, and patented the foam in 1966.

Several military branches used aqueous film forming foam, but its use was most widespread by Navy personnel.

Various Installations and Bases Use AFFF Firefighting Foams

AFFF is ubiquitous in military installations and used in more than 700 military sites — many of which are Naval installations.

The U.S. Navy has used AFFF for extinguishing and containing flames for more than 50 years in areas where fueling operations are frequent.

Because of the fire-retarding chemicals in AFFF foam, AFFF has proved itself useful in preventing aircraft fires and explosions on carriers, runways, and other areas in naval installations.

AFFF firefighting foam has also been routinely used in training exercises that weren’t limited to only military firefighters.

AFFF and the Human Health Risks

Despite the effectiveness of AFFF, PFAS chemicals in the foam have been linked to several chronic illnesses.

More specifically, exposure to PFAS chemicals can lead to several types of cancer, as shown by various studies.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PFAS chemicals place exposed individuals at increased risk of developing cancer.

Cancers that PFAS chemicals have been associated with include:

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

The EPA has also attributed other illnesses like thyroid disease to prolonged PFAS exposure.

As a result of the mounting evidence of PFAS exposure and cancer, the Pentagon has responded by discontinuing the use of AFFF.

Despite the Phase-Out, the Damage Has Already Been Done

While the discontinuation phases are underway, and researchers at the US Navy and other agencies are in the process of finding a firefighting foam to replace AFFF, the damage has already been done.

Many veterans and active military service members have already developed cancer from exposure to firefighting foam.

Thousands of military and naval personnel have already filed firefighting foam cancer lawsuits against the manufacturers of toxic firefighting foams.

If you have developed cancer from AFFF foam and PFAS exposure, you can still file an AFFF firefighting foam cancer lawsuit.

Reach out to our toxic firefighting foam attorneys now to get a free case evaluation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a firefighting foam lawsuit instantly.

How Are Military Firefighters and Service Members Exposed to AFFF Firefighting Foam?

For the most part, military firefighters and service members have been exposed to AFFF via direct contact.

In particular, firefighters come into direct contact with toxic firefighting foam in training exercises, maintenance and testing, and actual firefighting operations.

Firefighting Training Exercises

During firefighting training exercises, Navy firefighters may use AFFF foam to simulate real-world firefighting scenarios.

They can come into direct contact with the foam while handling it and applying it to fires.

Equipment Maintenance and Testing

AFFF systems and equipment require regular maintenance and testing to ensure they are functioning properly.

Navy firefighters involved in these activities may come into contact with the foam during system inspections, equipment checks, or foam discharge tests.

Firefighting Operations on Flight Decks, Ships, Carriers, and Military Airports

Military personnel can come in direct contact with toxic firefighting foam during fire impression operations.

During some firefighting operations, naval and military personnel tasked with fire suppression have no choice but to use AFFF to combat fires.

As a result, they expose themselves to the cancer-causing PFAS chemicals in AFFF foam.

Post-Fire Suppression Cleanup Operations

Military personnel and firefighters will be exposed to AFFF firefighting foam when they clean up any aqueous film-forming foam residue.

During cleanups, firefighters can get toxic PFAS chemicals on their skin.

If you have had to clean PFAS-containing firefighting foam and have developed cancer, contact a firefighting foam attorney immediately.

An attorney can maximize your chances of a successful AFFF Lawsuit.

Reach out to us or use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify.

The Effects of AFFF Firefighting Foam Exposure

AFFF foam contains PFAS chemicals.

PFAS chemicals act as preservatives that increase the shelf life of AFFF firefighting foam.

PFAS chemicals ability to remain in the natural environment and human body have resulted in the compounds to be recognized as “forever chemicals.”

Unfortunately, what enables PFAS chemicals to increase shelf life is also what makes them toxic and carcinogenic.

PFAS chemicals have been linked to several types of cancers and non-cancer diseases.

Those frequently exposed to AFFF firefighting foam are most susceptible to developing cancer and other illnesses from the exposure.

Military personnel tasked with using PFAS-containing AFFF to put out fires are at an increased risk of developing cancer and other health problems.

Kidney Cancer

There is a growing body of evidence showing the link between AFFF firefighting foam exposure and kidney cancer.

A 2020 study found that firefighters developed renal cell carcinoma due to prolonged exposure to PFAS chemicals in AFFF foam.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is another illness found in firefighters frequently exposed to firefighting foam.

According to the National Cancer Institute, firefighters exposed to PFAS-containing firefighting foam were more likely to develop prostate cancer compared to those who aren’t.

Testicular Cancer

Many victims who have filed AFFF lawsuits presented with testicular cancer.

While the exact mechanisms are unclear, testicular cancer often accompanies other types of cancers from AFFF exposure.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found high incidences of testicular cancer in patients with other types of cancer from AFFF exposure.

Thyroid Disease

Various studies have also linked AFFF to thyroid disease.

Recent epidemiological studies found that PFAS chemicals in AFFF have thyroid-disrupting functions.

Exposure can cause the thyroid gland to secrete fewer hormones, causing problems in metabolism and nervous system activity.

Environmental Effects of AFFF Firefighting Foam

The Environmental Protection Agency has identified several environmental effects arising from PFAS contamination.

PFAS-containing AFFF remains in the environment for long periods.

This results in contamination which can harm surrounding plant life and groundwater.

In detail, here are some of the negative environmental effects of AFFF firefighting foam and PFAS contamination.

Groundwater and Surface Water Pollution

PFAS chemicals from AFFF can migrate through soil and contaminate groundwater, posing a risk to the drinking water supply.

AFFF can enter surface water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and streams through surface runoff following firefighting operations or training exercises.

This contamination can have adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them.

It can also increase PFAS exposure for individuals who are in contaminated bodies of water.

Bioaccumulation in the Food Chain

PFAS compounds have the potential to bioaccumulate in organisms.

This means that they can build up in the tissues of plants and animals over time.

As higher-level organisms consume lower-level organisms, the PFAS compounds can biomagnify.

This results in higher concentrations of toxic chemicals in the food chain.

With toxic concentrations high, wildlife and humans who consume contaminated aquatic organisms can become exposed to PFAS.

Wildlife Impacts

The presence of AFFF firefighting foams and their associated PFAS compounds in the environment can harm wildlife.

PFAS exposure has been linked to adverse effects on the reproductive, endocrine, and immune systems of various animal species.

The result of exposure can be catastrophic for wildlife.

Wildlife and humans who are exposed can suffer from developmental abnormalities and decreased survival rates.

Do You Qualify to File an AFFF Lawsuit?

Victims of AFFF exposure may be eligible to file an AFFF Lawsuit and secure financial compensation for their injuries and damages.

Due to the mass amount of firefighting foam lawsuits filed against AFFF manufacturers, a multidistrict litigation (MDL) was established to manage the lawsuits and ensure consistent decisions.

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

Our firefighting foam cancer lawyers can help you complete the steps necessary to filing an AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit, such as gathering evidence and assessing damages.

Gathering Evidence for AFFF Lawsuits

Evidence is extremely important in an AFFF Foam Lawsuit.

Your firefighting foam attorneys will help you gather and retain evidence, but this is a process you can begin on your own.

Evidence in an firefighting foam lawsuit may include:

• Medical records
• Doctor’s notes
• Employment records
• Military service records
• Witness testimony
• Photos and videos
• Any other proof concerning AFFF exposure and subsequent health problems

Assessing Damages for Firefighting Foam Lawsuits

Damages refer to the total amount of losses incurred due to exposure to PFAS containing firefighting foam.

Your firefighting foam lawyers will help you assess and calculate damages.

Potential damages in AFFF lawsuits may include:

• Medical bills
• Future medical expenses
• Lost wages and earning ability
• Lost quality of life
• Permanent disability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional damages
• Wrongful death
• Other compensatory and punitive damages

Contact an Experienced Firefighting Foam Attorney

Once you have sufficient evidence, you should consider contacting an attorney with experience handling various AFFF foam lawsuits.

Your attorney can help build your case by establishing who is liable.

By proving liability, your attorney sets you up for a large settlement that compensates you for your illness and other damages.

TorHoerman Law: Your Firefighting Foam Lawyers

TorHoerman Law’s team of experienced firefighting foam lawyers are representing military firefighters and other military service members facing complications due to firefighting foam exposure.

Our law firm is committed to helping people exposed to firefighting foam seek compensation for their injuries and complications.

Over the past 11 years, our law firm has helped clients gain over $4 Billion in verdicts and negotiated settlements to help them get back on the path to recovery.

If you or a loved one have developed cancer or other adverse health outcomes after being regularly exposed to fire fighting foam, you may be eligible to file an AFFF Lawsuit and seek financial compensation.

Contact the AFFF Lawyers at TorHoerman Law for a free consultation, or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for an AFFF Lawsuit instantly.