AFFF Lawsuits are centered around claims that manufacturers knowingly exposed firefighters, military personnel, and other workers to toxic firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals without providing adequate warnings about the associated health risks.
AFFF has been used for decades in firefighting operations to suppress fires involving flammable liquids, but PFAS chemicals in the foam have been linked to a variety of serious health conditions, including multiple forms of cancer.
Plaintiffs in AFFF Lawsuits argue that the manufacturers had access to research and scientific evidence showing the dangers of PFAS, yet continued to distribute the foam without disclosing these risks.
AFFF was used extensively in military settings, including on aircraft carriers, in hangars, and during training exercises, leading to significant exposure for military personnel.
Municipal firefighters, airport firefighters, and industrial workers who routinely used AFFF in their jobs are also among the groups at high risk of PFAS exposure.
Over time, these individuals have experienced devastating health impacts, such as kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and other serious illnesses.
The AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit seeks to hold PFAS manufacturers accountable for failing to protect those who relied on their products.
Thousands of affected individuals and their families are pursuing compensation to cover medical costs, lost wages, and the emotional toll these illnesses have caused.
AFFF Lawsuit Settlement Amounts: Projections and Estimations
Currently, no settlements have been finalized in the AFFF Litigation.
However, based on outcomes from prior mass tort cases, lawyers estimate that individual AFFF Lawsuit settlement amounts may range from $20,000 to $500,000 or more, depending on the specifics of each case.
These projections consider factors such as the severity of health conditions, duration and intensity of exposure, and the strength of the legal claim.
It’s crucial to understand that these figures are projections and do not guarantee actual compensation amounts.
The final settlement for any individual case will depend on its unique circumstances, including medical evidence, exposure history, and legal considerations.
Is There an AFFF Class Action Lawsuit?
No, there is not an AFFF Class Action Lawsuit.
AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL 2873) in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.
MDL is a legal process that groups together similar cases to streamline pre-trial proceedings, share discovery, and ensure consistency in rulings.
Unlike a class action, where plaintiffs are treated as one group with a single outcome, in MDL, each case remains individual and can result in separate settlements or verdicts based on the unique circumstances of each plaintiff.
The MDL process helps manage the large number of AFFF Firefighting Foam cases more efficiently, while still allowing for personalized outcomes.
This structure benefits plaintiffs by speeding up the legal process while ensuring their specific exposure to AFFF and health issues are considered individually.
For those exposed to AFFF firefighting foam, the MDL offers a clear path for pursuing compensation without being grouped into a single class action.
Many law firms and advertisers on the internet refer to the AFFF Litigation as the “AFFF Class Action Lawsuit”, “Firefighting Foam Class Action MDL”, and other similar terms, but these classifications are incorrect.
The AFFF Firefighting Foam MDL operates under a separate and distinct legal process than class action cases.
How Many AFFF Lawsuits Have Been Filed? Current Status of the Aqueous Film Forming Foams MDL
The Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF) MDL continues to grow, with over 7,600 pending AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuits filed as of January 2025.
New AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuits are currently being filed by lawyers across the country.
Who are the Plaintiffs in the AFFF Personal Injury Lawsuits?
AFFF personal injury claims are being filed by individuals who have suffered serious health risks after exposure to PFAS-containing AFFF foam.
The group of plaintiffs is comprised of people from different industries where AFFF was commonly used, such as military personnel, firefighters, and workers in industrial settings.
Many plaintiffs have been diagnosed with severe health problems, including cancers, as a result of prolonged or repeated AFFF exposure.
Plaintiffs in the AFFF Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) include:
- Military personnel exposed to AFFF on bases and in training exercises
- Airport firefighters who routinely handled AFFF for emergencies and training
- Municipal firefighters exposed to AFFF during fire suppression activities
- Local water supplies contaminated by AFFF
- Firefighters who were exposed to PFAS chemicals in firefighting gear
Who are the Defendants in AFFF Lawsuits?
AFFF Lawsuits are being filed against a number of manufacturers and distributors of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) and the PFAS chemicals it contains.
These companies are accused of failing to warn users about the serious health risks associated with PFAS exposure, despite evidence showing the harmful effects of these chemicals.
The defendants in AFFF Lawsuits include some of the largest chemical and industrial manufacturers in the world, many of whom supplied AFFF to firefighters, military personnel, and industrial workers for decades.
Defendants in the AFFF Lawsuit include:
- 3M Company
- DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
- The Chemours Company
- Tyco Fire Products LP
- Kidde-Fenwal, Inc.
- National Foam, Inc.
- Chemguard, Inc.
- AGC Chemicals
- Arkema, Inc.
- Dynax Corporation
- BASF Corporation