New York AFFF Exposure Attorneys

Where is AFFF Commonly Used?

As mentioned, the most common application for the chemical compounds in AFFF is firefighting. The majority of AFFF lawsuits will therefore be filed by firefighters who used the compound for years and later were diagnosed with kidney cancer.

However, AFFF is also used on and in:

• Military bases
• Industrial factories
• Commercial airports

We would be honored to hear from affected military service members and hardworking Americans, too. The bottom line is that we will always stand up for your rights and take on major corporations, so you don’t have to.

What Exactly is AFFF?

AFFF was invented in the 1960s to provide a mobile means to extinguish fires in a hurry and without the need for water. It is capable of rapidly squelching flames from various sources, including burning oils, vapors, and hazardous substances. Due to its unique properties, AFFF became the go-to fuel fire extinguisher wherever it was available.

However, it was not until decades later that a clear connection between AFFF and certain types of cancer was formed. A 2015 study from The University of Queensland, Örebro University, and the Queensland University of Technology determined that blood samples from firefighters who often used AFFF contained an unusual count of carcinogenic fluoride compounds.

The two dangerous compounds now widely known to be in AFFF are:

• Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

Continued or large-dose exposure to these substances can cause these injuries:

• Kidney Cancer
• Testicular Cancer
• Hypothyroidism and Thyroid Disease
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Liver Cancer

PFOS and PFOA are particularly problematic in that they are molecularly dense materials that resist corrosion and removal. In other words, microscopic traces of these carcinogens can cling to the environment for many, many years after AFFF is used in an area. Studies have shown that it can linger in flora, fauna, and water sources, possibly endangering entire communities and ecosystems.

Concealed Evidence of AFFF Dangers

There will always be product dangers, and not every product defect warrants a lawsuit. Aqueous Firefighting Foam is a different situation, though, because numerous organizations knew it was likely carcinogenic yet chose to never disclose that information clearly to firefighters. Based on internal reports, it appears that AFFF manufacturers, the United States Armed Forces, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) all knew of AFFF dangers.

To name only a few companies that have manufactured AFFF-type products:

• 3M
• Chemguard
• DuPont
• Kidde-Fenwal

Any of the aforementioned parties could potentially be liable for your damages related to your AFFF-caused cancers. Our New York AFFF cancer lawsuit attorneys can review the details of your case to determine who should be named as the liable party/defendant. We will also apply our decades of combined experience to calculate your past and future damages, which could include lost wages, medical costs, pain and suffering, shortened life expectancy, and more.

Calling All New York Firefighters

If you’re a New York firefighter who has used AFFF and now has been diagnosed with cancer, then Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP wants to hear from you. Across our 150+ years of total experience, we have secured more than $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients, many of whom came to us after a dangerous product caused them harm.

While no prior case can promise the result of a future case, there is something to say about the abilities of a law firm as accomplished as ours. We would like to get the chance to apply our caliber of service to your AFFF claim, too, so please call (212) 684-1880 at your next opportunity.