PFAS and AFFF Lawsuits: Protecting Families, Firefighters, and Communities

At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, we represent people and families harmed by exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including those exposed through aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), contaminated drinking water, and affected workplaces. We pursue compensation from manufacturers and other responsible parties for the medical, financial, and personal losses that PFAS exposure can cause.

What Are PFAS and Why Do They Matter?

PFAS are a large family of artificial chemicals used to make products resistant to heat, oil, stains, and water. These compounds do not break down easily, so they persist in the environment and can accumulate in the human body over time. Researchers and regulators have associated certain PFAS with severe health conditions, including kidney and testicular cancers, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, elevated cholesterol, pregnancy-related hypertension, decreased vaccine response, and other immune and endocrine effects. We help clients connect these exposures to injuries, gather the necessary evidence to prove a claim, and seek accountability from those who manufactured and distributed these products without providing adequate warnings.

What Is AFFF and Who Is at Risk?

AFFF is a firefighting foam that has been used for decades to suppress fuel-based fires at airports, military bases, refineries, industrial facilities, and municipal training grounds. AFFF historically contained long-chain PFAS, which can migrate into soil and groundwater. People at increased risk include:

• Firefighters and fire instructors are exposed during training and responses
• Military service members and civilian personnel working on bases and airfields
• Airport, refinery, and industrial workers in facilities where AFFF was stored or used
• Residents living near training areas, airports, and manufacturing plants with contaminated wells or public water systems

If you or a loved one developed cancer or another serious illness after occupational or community exposure to AFFF, we can investigate whether a PFAS-related claim is available.

Common Legal Theories in PFAS and AFFF Litigation

Manufacturers and suppliers can be held responsible when defective products or inadequate warnings cause harm. Depending on the facts, your case may involve:

• Design defect, alleging that PFAS-containing foam or materials were unreasonably dangerous
• Failure to warn, alleging inadequate risk disclosures or instructions for safe handling and disposal
• Negligence, for selling or distributing products without proper testing or safeguards
• Nuisance and trespass, when PFAS contamination invades private property or community water supplies
• Breach of warranty occurs when products fail to meet implied safety and merchantability standards

Many PFAS and AFFF cases are coordinated in federal courts to streamline discovery and expert issues. We handle claims on an individual basis while leveraging efficiencies from consolidated proceedings where appropriate.

Do I Qualify for a PFAS or AFFF Claim?

We evaluate each case individually. You may qualify if any of the following apply:

• You are a firefighter or military veteran with a diagnosis such as kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, or ulcerative colitis after years of foam exposure or training activities
• You worked at an airport, refinery, chemical plant, or industrial facility that used or stored AFFF and later developed a PFAS-associated condition.
• Your home, farm, or business relied on a water source later found to be contaminated with PFAS, and you or a family member developed related health problems.
• You incurred property damage, well replacement costs, filtration expenses, or lost business value due to PFAS contamination

We also review wrongful death claims for families who lost a loved one to a PFAS-associated illness.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered?

Every case is different, but recoverable damages in PFAS and AFFF cases may include:

• Past and future medical expenses, including monitoring where allowed
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
• Out-of-pocket costs for water testing, filtration, and property remediation, where applicable
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members, including funeral costs and loss of companionship

We will explain the damages that may be available in your situation and build the proof needed to support them.

Evidence That Strengthens a PFAS Claim

Successful PFAS and AFFF cases are evidence-driven. We help clients gather and preserve:

Medical records confirming diagnoses and treatment timelines Employment, military, and training histories showing where and when exposures occurred Product and facility records, incident reports, and foam inventory or purchase logs Environmental testing results for wells, municipal systems, soils, or sediments Property records and documentation of remediation or filtration costs Expert testimony linking specific PFAS exposures to injuries and losses

If you do not have these materials, we know where to look and how to obtain them through investigation and discovery.

Deadlines and Statutes of Limitations

Product liability and toxic exposure claims are governed by strict filing deadlines that vary by state and type of claim. In Massachusetts, many personal injury claims must be filed within three years, with special rules governing when the statute of limitations begins to run based on the discovery of the injury. Wrongful death and warranty-based theories follow different time frames. Because deadlines can be complex and exceptions limited, you should speak with us as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Our Approach and What to Expect

When you contact us, we begin with a detailed and confidential consultation. If we accept your case:

1. We investigate exposure pathways, medical histories, and potential sources of contamination.
2. We retain qualified experts in toxicology, epidemiology, environmental science, and occupational medicine.
3. We identify all responsible entities, including manufacturers and distributors.
4. We file your claim in the most strategic forum, which may be part of a coordinated proceeding, and prosecute it through discovery, motion practice, negotiation, and trial if necessary.
5. We keep you informed and prepared at every decision point.

We handle PFAS and AFFF cases on a contingency fee, which means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. Court costs and case expenses are clearly explained upfront.

PFAS and AFFF FAQs What health conditions are linked to PFAS exposure?

Studies have associated certain PFAS with kidney and testicular cancers, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, elevated cholesterol, pregnancy-related hypertension, and immune effects, among others. Your specific diagnosis and exposure history will guide our medical and expert evaluations.

Firefighters, Veterans, and First Responders

Firefighters and military service members bear a disproportionate share of PFAS and AFFF exposure. We understand the unique documentation these cases require, including training records, base assignments, turnout gear histories, and foam use logs. We work with experts who understand the science of occupational exposure, off-gassing from gear, and cumulative risk.

Communities and Homeowners Impacted by PFAS in Water

If your neighborhood, private well, or municipal supply has tested positive for PFAS, you may face filtration costs, property value impacts, and health concerns. We coordinate environmental testing and proof of damages and, when appropriate, assert property damage claims alongside personal injury claims. Where multiple households are affected, we evaluate whether a coordinated strategy can increase efficiency and leverage.

How We Add Value to Your PFAS or AFFF Case

• Experience building complex, expert-heavy toxic-exposure cases
• Strategic filing decisions that account for evolving PFAS litigation landscapes
• Access to scientific, medical, and environmental experts to prove causation and damages
• Clear communication and compassionate advocacy for individuals and families

Take the Next Step

If you believe PFAS or AFFF exposure harmed you or a loved one, contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for a free, confidential evaluation. We will review your medical history, exposure timeline, and available evidence, explain your legal options, and, if we take your case, pursue the full compensation the law allows. You do not have to navigate PFAS litigation alone. We are ready to help.

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