Firefighting foam lawsuits allege that manufacturers knowingly exposed firefighters, military personnel, airport workers, and others to toxic PFAS chemicals linked to cancer and serious health conditions. Holland Injury Law helps individuals pursue compensation after exposure to AFFF firefighting foam and PFAS contamination.
For decades, a specific type of firefighting foam known as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) was used widely across fire departments, military installations, airports, and industrial facilities throughout the United States. What those who used it were not always told is that AFFF contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of synthetic chemicals now strongly associated with cancer and other serious health conditions.
Firefighters, military personnel, airport workers, and others who experienced repeated occupational exposure to AFFF may now be living with the consequences. Holland Injury Law represents individuals and families affected by AFFF and PFAS exposure, helping them pursue the accountability and compensation they deserve.
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is a water-based fire suppressant that was developed in the 1960s in partnership between the U.S. Navy and the chemical manufacturer 3M. It was specifically engineered to extinguish high-intensity fuel fires quickly and effectively, making it a preferred tool for situations where conventional water-based suppression methods were insufficient.
AFFF works by spreading a thin, film-like layer across the surface of a burning liquid fuel, cutting off the oxygen supply and suppressing the fire. This property made it especially effective for fighting Class B fires, which involve flammable liquids such as gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, and petroleum-based chemicals.
Over the following decades, AFFF became standard equipment in a wide range of settings, including:
A variant called alcohol-resistant aqueous film-forming foam (AR-AFFF) was also developed for use against fires involving polar solvents and other water-miscible fuels. Both formulations contain fluorinated surfactants, specifically PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), which are among the most studied and most toxic members of the broader PFAS chemical family.
Despite growing scientific concern about PFAS toxicity dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, AFFF continued to be manufactured, sold, and used extensively for decades. Lawsuits now allege that major manufacturers were aware of the potential health risks associated with PFAS long before those risks were disclosed to the public or to the workers who used these products.
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a broad family of more than 12,000 synthetic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products since the 1940s. You may have heard them referred to as “forever chemicals,” a term that reflects one of their most alarming characteristics: they do not break down naturally in the environment or in the human body.
The carbon-fluorine bond at the core of PFAS chemistry is one of the strongest bonds in organic chemistry. This makes PFAS compounds extraordinarily stable, resistant to heat, water, and biological degradation. While these properties made them commercially attractive for use in nonstick cookware, water-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and firefighting foam, they also mean that PFAS accumulate persistently in soil, groundwater, surface water, and living tissue over time.
The two PFAS compounds most closely associated with AFFF firefighting foam are:
Studies suggest that PFAS chemicals accumulate in the bloodstream and organs through a process called bioaccumulation. Because the body cannot efficiently eliminate these compounds, repeated low-level exposures can result in progressively higher concentrations over time. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified PFOS and PFOA as chemicals of serious concern and has established health advisory levels for PFAS in drinking water that reflect the potential risks even at very low concentrations.
PFAS contamination has now been detected in drinking water supplies, soil, and groundwater near military bases, airports, fire training facilities, and industrial sites across the country, creating exposure risks that extend well beyond the individuals who worked directly with AFFF.
AFFF exposure is not limited to a single occupation or a single type of facility. Because this foam was used so broadly across military, industrial, and emergency response contexts for more than five decades, a wide range of individuals may have experienced meaningful PFAS exposure. Potential exposure groups include:
Career and volunteer firefighters who used AFFF in the course of their duties faced direct and repeated contact with PFAS-containing foam. Exposure could occur through skin contact, inhalation of foam mist or vapors during use, and incidental ingestion. Firefighters who participated in live-fire training exercises where AFFF was discharged in large quantities may have experienced particularly concentrated exposure.
The U.S. military was one of the largest users of AFFF, particularly at air bases and naval air stations where jet fuel fires were a primary hazard. Military firefighters, crash rescue personnel, and other service members stationed at facilities where AFFF was regularly used or stored may have been exposed repeatedly over the course of their service. PFAS contamination has been documented at hundreds of military installations across the United States.
Commercial airports are required to maintain fire suppression capabilities for aircraft emergencies, and AFFF has historically been the suppressant of choice for aviation fuel fires. Airport firefighters, ground crew members, and other workers at facilities where AFFF was stored, tested, or deployed may have experienced ongoing occupational exposure.
Oil refineries, chemical processing plants, and other industrial facilities that handle flammable liquids routinely kept AFFF on hand for emergency use. Workers at these facilities, particularly those involved in fire safety, maintenance, or emergency response, may have encountered AFFF during drills, equipment testing, or actual fire events.
Individuals who attended fire academies or participated in training programs that used live AFFF discharges may have been exposed to high concentrations of PFAS during the training process, even if they never went on to work as career firefighters.
PFAS from AFFF does not stay contained to the facility where it was used. These chemicals leach into soil and migrate into groundwater and surface water over time. Residents living near military bases, airports, or fire training facilities have been found to have elevated PFAS levels in their blood in some cases, even without any direct occupational exposure to AFFF. Contaminated private wells and municipal water supplies near these sites have been identified in communities across the country.
A substantial and growing body of scientific research has examined the relationship between PFAS exposure and human health. While research is ongoing and individual cases vary, studies suggest that prolonged or repeated exposure to PFOS, PFOA, and related PFAS compounds is associated with an elevated risk of several serious health conditions.
Illnesses that have been linked to AFFF and PFAS exposure in scientific literature and in ongoing litigation include:
| Condition Types | Illnesses Linked to AFFF and PFAS Exposure |
|---|---|
| Cancers | Kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and leukemia. |
| Thyroid Conditions | Thyroid disease, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. |
| Digestive Conditions | Ulcerative colitis. |
| Cardiovascular and Metabolic Conditions | High cholesterol, also known as hypercholesterolemia. |
| Immune Conditions | Immune system disruption. |
| Pregnancy-Related Conditions | Pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia. |
It is important to note that a diagnosis of one of these conditions does not automatically establish that AFFF or PFAS exposure was the cause. Causation in individual cases is a medical and legal determination that requires careful evaluation of exposure history, medical records, and other relevant factors. However, for individuals with documented AFFF exposure and a qualifying diagnosis, these associations form the foundation of many active lawsuits.
If you have been diagnosed with any of the conditions listed above and believe you may have had significant exposure to AFFF or PFAS, speaking with an attorney about your potential legal options is an important first step.
Among all groups potentially affected by AFFF, career firefighters and military personnel face some of the highest documented exposure levels. The nature of their work often meant repeated, direct contact with AFFF over the course of years or even decades, and emerging research reflects this reality.
Unlike a single environmental exposure, occupational AFFF exposure is typically cumulative. A firefighter who participated in foam-based training exercises several times per year, responded to fuel fires over a 20-year career, and worked in a station where AFFF equipment was regularly maintained and tested would have accumulated PFAS exposure far exceeding what most environmental sources alone would produce. Studies examining PFAS blood levels in active firefighters have found concentrations significantly higher than those observed in the general population.
The U.S. Department of Defense has acknowledged PFAS contamination at hundreds of military installations where AFFF was used in firefighting operations and training. Some of the highest concentrations of PFAS in groundwater ever recorded in the United States have been found at or near military air bases. Service members who lived and worked on these bases, including those who drank water from on-base sources, may have been exposed to PFAS through multiple pathways simultaneously.
Research has also raised concerns about PFAS contamination in firefighting protective gear (turnout gear). Some studies suggest that PFAS compounds from AFFF and other sources can be absorbed into the fabric of protective equipment and subsequently transferred to the skin during use. This means that even firefighters who were not directly applying foam could have experienced dermal PFAS exposure through their gear.
Fire training facilities where AFFF was discharged repeatedly over many years often developed significant PFAS contamination in the soil and groundwater surrounding the training area. Trainees and instructors at these facilities may have experienced both direct contact with foam and secondary exposure through contaminated water or soil.
AFFF litigation has grown into one of the largest mass tort actions in the United States. Thousands of individual lawsuits have been filed against major AFFF manufacturers, including 3M, DuPont, Chemours, Tyco Fire Products, and others, alleging that these companies knew about the health risks associated with PFAS long before making that information available to the public or to the workers who used their products.
Because of the large number of individual cases involving similar facts and legal questions, the federal court system consolidated the majority of AFFF personal injury and water contamination lawsuits into a single multidistrict litigation (MDL) proceeding. This MDL is centralized in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina under the supervision of a federal judge.
Multidistrict litigation is a procedural mechanism that allows courts to coordinate pretrial proceedings, including discovery and motions practice, across thousands of individual cases that share common issues. Each plaintiff in the MDL retains their own individual lawsuit and their own right to trial. The MDL process is designed to increase efficiency and consistency without forcing individual claimants to give up their independent claims.
Several significant settlement agreements have been reached in the AFFF MDL. 3M announced a settlement agreement to resolve water utility contamination claims, and other manufacturers have reached or are negotiating separate resolutions for personal injury claims. However, litigation is ongoing, not all claims have been resolved, and the terms and availability of settlements continue to evolve.
It would be inaccurate to suggest that every AFFF claimant will receive a settlement or a specific settlement amount. The value and availability of any recovery depends on the specific facts of each individual case, the nature and severity of the diagnosed illness, the strength of the exposure history, and developments in the litigation as a whole. Anyone with a potential AFFF claim should consult with an attorney to understand where the litigation currently stands and what options may be available to them.
Plaintiffs in the AFFF MDL allege that manufacturers including 3M and DuPont had internal research dating back decades showing that PFAS compounds were toxic, persistent, and capable of accumulating in human tissue. Despite this alleged knowledge, manufacturers are accused of continuing to produce and sell AFFF without adequate warnings and of actively working to suppress or minimize public awareness of the associated health risks.
Eligibility for an AFFF lawsuit depends on a combination of exposure history and medical diagnosis. While every case is different, the following criteria are generally relevant to evaluating whether someone may have a viable claim:
You may qualify if you:
| Potential Qualification Factor | Examples |
|---|---|
| Firefighting Work | Worked as a career or volunteer firefighter and used AFFF in the course of your duties. |
| Military Service | Served at a military base or installation where AFFF was used or stored. |
| Airport or Industrial Work | Worked at an airport, oil refinery, chemical plant, or other industrial facility where AFFF was used. |
| Firefighter Training | Attended a fire academy or training program that used live AFFF discharges. |
| Environmental Exposure | Lived near a military base, airport, or fire training facility with documented PFAS contamination in the water supply. |
| Qualifying Diagnosis | Diagnosed with kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, bladder cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, or another condition associated with PFAS exposure. |
| Repeated Exposure | Experienced repeated or prolonged contact with AFFF over a period of months or years. |
| Wrongful Death Claim | Family members of individuals who died from a condition associated with AFFF exposure may also have standing to bring a wrongful death claim. |
The timing of exposure also matters. Because PFAS-related illnesses can take years or even decades to develop after initial exposure, many individuals are only now receiving diagnoses that may be connected to AFFF exposure that occurred earlier in their careers or during military service. This does not necessarily bar a claim, but it does make early legal consultation important, as statutes of limitations vary by state and by the nature of the claim.
Family members of individuals who have died from a condition associated with AFFF exposure may also have standing to bring a wrongful death claim. An attorney can evaluate the specific circumstances of your situation and advise you on what options are available.
Individuals who successfully pursue AFFF claims may be eligible to recover compensation for a range of losses and damages. The specific types and amounts of compensation available will depend on the facts of each individual case, the severity of the diagnosed illness, and other relevant factors. No attorney can guarantee a specific outcome or recovery amount.
Compensation that may be available in AFFF lawsuits includes:
| Compensation Types | What It May Include |
|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Past and future costs of treatment for PFAS-related illnesses, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hospitalization, medications, and ongoing monitoring. |
| Lost Wages and Earning Capacity | Income lost due to illness or disability, as well as reduced future earning capacity if the condition affects the ability to work. |
| Pain and Suffering | Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life associated with a serious illness. |
| Disability | Damages related to permanent or long-term physical limitations caused by a PFAS-related condition. |
| Future Medical Treatment | Anticipated costs of ongoing care, monitoring, and treatment over the course of the claimant’s life. |
| Wrongful Death Damages | Funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship for surviving family members. |
Holland Injury Law handles AFFF cases on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront legal fees. You pay nothing unless and until compensation is recovered on your behalf.
AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) is a type of fire suppressant designed to extinguish flammable liquid fires, particularly those involving jet fuel, gasoline, and other petroleum products. It was used widely by military fire departments, commercial airports, industrial facilities, and municipal fire departments for more than five decades. AFFF contains PFAS chemicals, specifically PFOS and PFOA, which are now associated with cancer and other serious health conditions.
Scientific studies have identified associations between PFAS exposure and several types of cancer, including kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, bladder cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Research is ongoing, and additional associations may be identified over time. A diagnosis of one of these cancers does not automatically confirm that PFAS exposure was the cause, but it is an important factor in evaluating a potential claim.
Yes. Career firefighters, volunteer firefighters, and fire academy trainees who were exposed to AFFF in the course of their duties and have been diagnosed with a qualifying illness may have a viable claim against AFFF manufacturers. Firefighters represent one of the most significant groups of AFFF claimants currently involved in the MDL litigation.
Yes. Military veterans who served at bases or installations where AFFF was used and who have been diagnosed with a PFAS-related illness may be eligible to file a claim. This includes military firefighters, crash rescue personnel, and other service members with documented exposure to AFFF or to PFAS-contaminated water at military facilities. Veterans may also have separate VA benefits claims available to them, which an attorney can help evaluate alongside any civil lawsuit.
The AFFF MDL is a consolidated federal court proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina that coordinates thousands of individual AFFF lawsuits involving common legal and factual questions. Each plaintiff in the MDL retains their individual claim. The MDL process streamlines pretrial proceedings and helps move cases toward resolution more efficiently than handling each case separately in different courts across the country.
Qualification generally depends on whether you had meaningful exposure to AFFF or PFAS through your occupation, military service, or contaminated water, and whether you have been diagnosed with a condition associated with that exposure. The best way to determine whether you have a viable claim is to speak with an attorney who handles AFFF cases. Holland Injury Law offers free consultations and can evaluate your situation at no cost to you.
PFAS-related illnesses often take years or decades to develop after initial exposure, so many individuals are only now receiving diagnoses that may be connected to AFFF exposure from earlier in their careers or military service. While statutes of limitations do apply to these claims, many states use a discovery rule that starts the clock when the illness is diagnosed or when the connection to AFFF exposure is reasonably discovered. Do not assume that the passage of time bars your claim without first speaking with an attorney.
In many cases, yes. If a loved one died from a condition associated with AFFF or PFAS exposure, surviving family members may be eligible to bring a wrongful death claim. Recoverable damages in a wrongful death case may include medical expenses incurred prior to death, funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. An attorney can advise you on whether a wrongful death claim is available based on the specific facts of your situation.
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness following occupational exposure to AFFF firefighting foam, you may have legal options worth exploring. Holland Injury Law represents firefighters, military veterans, industrial workers, and others affected by PFAS exposure, and our attorneys are prepared to evaluate your case at no cost to you.
We understand that the people most affected by AFFF exposure are often the same individuals who spent their careers protecting others. We take that seriously, and we are committed to providing the kind of thorough, dedicated legal representation that these cases require.
Initial consultations are free, and we handle AFFF cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
To speak with an attorney, send us a message through our website to schedule your free consultation. We represent clients nationally in AFFF and PFAS litigation. We are passionate about protecting injured workers – especially first responders who work so hard to keep the rest of us safe.
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