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Request A Call HereFirefighting foam, also known as AFFF, is a hazardous chemical used by firefighters to extinguish fires since the early 1960s. Numerous incidences of firefighter foam cancer and other life-threatening disorders have been linked to this AFFF foam. If you or a loved one was exposed to the toxic chemicals in firefighting foam in your line of work and developed cancer, you may be entitled to file a firefighting foam lawsuit for compensation.
To learn more, contact our experienced firefighting foam lawyers today for a free consultation.
Aqueous Film-Forming Foam, in short, firefighting foam has been used for decades to put out liquid-based fires and has saved millions of lives. Though the material is used to help stop one catastrophe, it can, unfortunately, cause its own long-term effects for those that work directly with the toxic chemical on a day-to-day basis.
The toxic chemicals found in firefighting foam may raise the risk of some cancers or cause non-cancerous disorders such as birth abnormalities, obesity, and diabetes. Those who work in the petroleum industry, firefighters, members of the military, and airport employees may be more vulnerable to cancer that is caused by AFFF.
Firefighting foam has been around since the mid-1900s and now comes in a variety of forms based on the sort of fire that has to be put out. For flammable liquid fires, AFFF is the primary fire suppression approach. Firefighters use hoses to spread firefighting foam to extinguish the fire and cover whatever is fueling it to prevent it from getting any more oxygen. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are made from man-made chemical compounds and are the types of foam that could cause cancer. Consumer items such as Teflon, (non-stick) pans, polishes, sealant sprays, paints, and cleaning products contain these dangerous PFAS.
Because aqueous film-forming foam is made up of carcinogens, it can cause detrimental damage if a person is exposed to it on a regular basis, leaving them at an increased risk of forming a serious illness or a certain type of cancer. When a person is exposed to PFAS on a regular basis, the chemicals are absorbed by the body and accumulate over time. They are nicknamed the "forever chemicals" due to the duration it typically takes for AFFF exposure to show signs of illness. Common illnesses and cancers that are linked to firefighting foam lawsuits are:
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to cancer in research for decades. Despite the danger, producers conceal information and issue no warnings. As a result, firefighters and other professionals have been exposed to AFFF for years without being aware of the dangers.
Many jobs put people in jeopardy of being exposed to firefighting foam and its dangerous chemicals that can affect human health. Among them are the following:
Since being exposed to firefighting foam directly affects firefighters from different fields, depending on the type of unit they work in, they may be exposed at slightly different levels compared to others. Interestingly enough, as mentioned above, individuals who happen to live near a fire department, military base or airport, can potentially be exposed to the toxic firefighting foam because of contaminated water supply.
The risks of PFAS, especially those present in firefighting foam, are well-known to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), other government agencies, AFFF manufacturers, and chemical producers. As a result, the EPA has prohibited the manufacturing of some forms of the chemical in the United States. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency's PFOA Stewardship Program aims to eradicate these chemicals from emissions and products. This demonstrates that they are well aware of their risk.
It's alarming how many companies know the underlying long-term effects of using AFFF firefighting foam and continue to do so out of convenience which is why there is a rise in firefighting foam lawsuits nationwide.
If you were diagnosed with cancer after being exposed to chemicals present in firefighting foam, the firms that created the foam, those who sold it, and the employers who continued to expose you to it may be held liable in an AFFF lawsuit. Some makers of firefighting foam that have called adverse health effects include, but are not limited to:
Banville Law is ready to assist you in filing a firefighting foam lawsuit if you've been diagnosed with AFFF cancer. Our team of firefighting foam attorneys can help you in building a case against those who should be held responsible for your firefighting foam cancer case so you can begin your path to healing. By filing an AFFF lawsuit, our team can help determine the liable party, help in calculating the damages and injuries you've suffered, and help negotiate a settlement that can help you pay for medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, and much more.
Get started today by contacting our firefighting foam law firm if you've been exposed to AFFF or PFAS chemicals and are in need of some legal advice. Our firm can help investigate the details of your claim and help determine if you are eligible for filing a firefighting foam cancer lawsuit.