How to Ensure That You Receive FULL and JUST Compensation For Cancer Caused by Firefighting Chemical Foam Exposure
If you were or a loved one developed cancer from exposure to firefighting foam, contact the experienced attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP for a free case consultation. Our firm can help you understand the legal options available to you and your family following exposure to the toxic substances in firefighting foam.
Firefighters Diagnosed With Cancer Could Be Entitled to Compensation
Firefighters, particularly those who worked on military bases and at airports, could be entitled to compensation if they have been diagnosed with cancer after using firefighting foam. This foam has been linked to several types of cancers, and ongoing investigations, including those being conducted by our skilled legal team, indicate that the foam manufacturers might have known for years about the toxic side effects of the chemicals they used
Parker Waichman LLP believes the brave men and women who put their lives on the line fighting fires and developed cancer from this toxic foam should not have to stand alone in the battle for the justice they deserve. We want to help you seek full compensation for your injuries to ensure your access to quality health care and financial peace of mind for your family.
To understand whether you have a potential legal claim that would entitle you or your loved one to compensation, contact our law firm to schedule an attorney consultation. We will review the circumstances surrounding your exposure, as well as your medical records, to help you determine the best course of action. Parker Waichman LLP fights for the recourse our clients need, and we hold wrongdoers accountable in the face of devastating injuries, like the development of cancer.Â
What is Firefighting Foam?
Firefighting foam is a sprayable product firefighters have used for a number of years to control live fires or simulated fires during training exercises. The foam, which is a type of aqueous film-forming foam, creates a barrier on objects or substances that cuts off the oxygen necessary for the fire to continue burning. It is particularly effective at extinguishing fires involving jet fuel.
Military firefighters have used the foam for almost 60 years, and the Federal Aviation Administration required the foam to be used at airports in the U.S. until 2018. Until recent years, many local fire departments also used the foam.
What is Firefighting Foam Made Of?
Firefighting foam contains the chemicalsperfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), which are types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These are manmade chemicals that contribute to the heat-resistant, frictionless barrier formed by the foam. The chemicals have also been used in the past to make consumer items, like nonstick cookware. Many companies and industries that previously used PFAS have phased them out, due to rising concerns about the health risks associated with exposure to the chemicals.
What Side Effects are Associated with Exposure to Firefighting Foam?
Exposure to firefighting foam can lead to a number of adverse health effects. The chemicals can accumulate inside the human body and stay in the body for a long period of time. Studies have linked exposure to the PFAS in firefighting foam to several types of cancer, including:
- Pancreatic cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Lymphoma
- Leukemi
- Neuroendocrine tumors
Not only are firefighters exposed to PFAS while spraying the foam, but the chemicals can also then seep into groundwater and contaminate the water supplies of nearby residents. The U.S. military has started to test and perform cleanup at hundreds of bases around the country because of water contamination from the foam. Testing to date has revealed unsafe levels of PFAS in drinking water in and around several bases.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has previously tested drinking water in the country and found that 6.5 million people had PFAS in their water. The EPA has now identified PFAS as emerging contaminants and has set an updated advisory limit for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water to 70 parts per trillion. However, this limit is merely a health advisory, meaning it is intended to provide technical information to health officials and state agencies. It is not enforceable.
Do I Have a Case for Firefighting Foam Cancer?Â
In order to understand whether you have a viable claim related to exposure to PFAS from firefighting foam, a full investigation of the details of your potential case will need to be performed. Our attorneys understand the steps required to review these claims, and we will work quickly to provide you with the information you need to know
When you hire Parker Waichman LLP, we will immediately begin gathering records and documents to analyze the circumstances surrounding your exposure and assess the potential damages pursuable in your claim. Our initial investigation will include carrying out the following tasks (among others):
- Preparing a detailed chronology or summary of your exposure to the firefighting foam
- Ordering your military records, if applicable
- Ordering your medical records that document your cancer diagnosis
- Obtaining copies of any documents that show the type of firefighting products used at your fire department, if you were not exposed in the military or while working at an airport
- Arranging for your records to be reviewed by an expert
We will take many other steps, as well, to ensure that we have thoroughly investigated your potential claim and will explain our findings to you. Together, we can then decide if a lawsuit is the best next step for your case and for you and your family. We understand that the thought of filing a lawsuit might seem daunting, but we assure all of our clients that we will stand by their side at every point in the process.
Allow us to begin your case review by contacting our offices today. You can schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys and begin learning how our firm can help you seek the justice you deserve.Â
What Damages Could I Receive in a Firefighting Foam Cancer Case?
In litigating cases related to firefighting foam, we are seeking the highest possible compensation for our clients. Though settlements and awards can never be guaranteed, we aggressively pursue the results that our clients need to move forward after the development of serious injuries.
Typically, in a firefighting foam cancer case, we will seek the following types of damages on behalf of our clients:
- Medical bills incurred from treatment received for their cancer;
- Medical bills expected to be accumulated in the future from necessary cancer treatment;
- Costs of medications to date and cost of those needed in the future;
- Lost wages incurred to date because of their cancer and related treatments;
- Wages expected to be lost in the future or lost ability to earn income in the future;
- Damages for physical pain and suffering;
- Damages for mental and emotional distress.
We know that a cancer diagnosis is devastating for both victims and families, and along with the emotional trauma of this news comes uncertainty about the future. Medical expenses can quickly exceed families’ abilities to pay, and victims start to feel like they have nowhere to turn.
Our lawyers want to help ease some of the stress that has been wrongfully placed on you and your loved ones due to toxic firefighting foam. Contact us to speak to a qualified lawyer about your claim. We serve clients nationwide and are available to discuss your case day or night.
Why Choose Parker Waichman LLP for My Firefighting Foam Cancer Lawsuit
Parker Waichman LLP is committed to providing superior legal representation to our clients. We have the experience and skills necessary to tackle high-profile and complex cases, and we are dedicated to maintaining personalized service that places our clients first. Through zealous advocacy, we have secured more than $2 billion in legal compensation on behalf of victims and their families. While providing outstanding results to our clients, we have also earned notable honors from our peers, receiving the following recognitions (among others):
- 8/10 Rating from AVVO
- Ranking of “5 Dragons” from peer review by Lawdragon
- “Preeminent Lawyers” AV Peer Review Rating
- Listing in the Peer-Reviewed “Best Lawyers” Publication
The decision to hire an attorney is an important one, and we encourage you to perform your due diligence. We invite you to find out more about our firm’s results on our website and through a free case consultation with one of our attorneys. You deserve the most qualified representation for your claim, and we urge you to act quickly to begin protecting your legal rights.
Statutes of Limitations to Recover Compensation Are in Place – Do Not Delay!
Statutes of limitations apply to every case in the country, including those related to firefighting foam. The statute of limitations sets a deadline by which your case must be filed in court. Your case’s statute of limitations will be influenced by a number of factors, including the state you live in, the state where you were diagnosed, the nature of your injuries, and the time when you were diagnosed.
It is extremely important that you have an experienced lawyer, like those at Parker Waichman LLP, review your claim to determine the appropriate filing deadline. Do not delay in seeking the guidance of an attorney to ensure that your rights are protected.
Contact Parker Waichman LLP Today to Schedule a FREE Case Consultation
Parker Waichman LLP offers completely free case consultations, and we are available 24 hours a day to assist you. If you were or a loved one was diagnosed with cancer after exposure to firefighting foam, contact Parker Waichman LLP today by calling 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) or by visiting our website to start a live chat or fill out our Contact Form.
New York | Brooklyn | Queens | Long Island | New Jersey | Florida
Call us at: 1-800-YOURLAWYER (800-968-7529) | Schedule your free consultation
Have you or a loved one been harmed by a fire fighting foam?
Click To Get A Free Case Review