AFFF Cancer Lawyers Reviewing Claims For Firefighters Diagnosed With Testicular Cancer and Kidney Cancer
UPDATED JULY 2025: This post has been updated to reflect the latest developments in the AFFF firefighting foam and PFAS water contamination lawsuits, including current case criteria, 2025 trial schedules, and potential settlement outlooks.
The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential claims for firefighters and other individuals diagnosed with cancer following exposure to dangerous chemicals in fire suppression foam, which has been commonly used at military bases, airports, and by firefighting personnel in recent decades.
Contact Our Lawyers To Review an AFFF CANCER LAWSUIT
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) was introduced in the 1960s and became widely used during training exercises and to combat fuel-based fires. However, AFFF contains large amounts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are highly toxic and persistent in the environment.
In addition to AFFF firefighter lawsuits through occupational exposure, PFAS water contamination lawsuits are also being filed by individuals who lived or worked near military installations, airports, or industrial sites where PFAS runoff contaminated local drinking water supplies, exposing residents to these toxic chemicals for decades.
Financial compensation and settlements may be available through an AFFF cancer lawsuit for firefighters, airport personnel, military service members, and residents exposed to PFAS, who were diagnosed with:
- Testicular Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Thyroid Cancer
- Thyroid Disease
There are never any out-of-pocket costs to hire our firefighter foam lawyers. All claims are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only receive a fee or expense reimbursement if a recovery is obtained for you and your family. Request a free consultation to determine if you may qualify.
REQUEST AN AFFF CANCER CASE EVALUATION
AFFF Exposure Risks
Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) are specifically designed for use against petroleum-based fires, where water is less effective. Most of these firefighting foams contain dangerous and toxic PFAS chemicals, which are known to accumulate in the body, no matter how small the exposure.
PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam have not only been linked to a potential increased risk of cancer, but may also result in an increased risk of neonatal death, liver toxicity, immune system problems and disruption of the human endocrine system.
These chemicals have a hard time breaking down in the body and environment, and can persist for an extremely long time, gaining them the nickname “forever chemicals.”
It appears from numerous reports that the manufacturers of these substances knew or should have known about their health and environmental risks for decades. However, it appears they placed profit over public safety and even the safety of first responders and military personnel.
For individuals diagnosed with cancer following direct exposure to AFFF, such as firefighters, military service members and airport personnel, financial compensation may be available.
PFAS Drinking Water Exposure Risks: 2025 Update
As far back as 2016, the military warned that there could be potential problems near 664 different military sites where AFFF was commonly used during training exercises, indicating that the chemicals may have contaminated water supplies in surrounding communities.
However, as of 2025, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has confirmed 7,457 PFAS contamination sites across all 50 states and U.S. territories, with detections in over 8,800 water sampling locations nationwide. Nearly 3,000 public water systems have reported PFAS detections through EPA monitoring programs, impacting the drinking water of more than 158 million Americans.
In the wake of widespread PFAS contamination near residential areas and military installations, largely caused by runoff from AFFF firefighting foam and industrial manufacturing, a growing number of lawsuits are now being pursued by affected residents, former service members, and their families.
The PFAS water contamination lawsuits claim individuals developed ulcerative colitis or cancer from years of exposure to toxic PFAS chemicals being dumped into groundwater, drinking water and soil that contaminated public and private water supplies.
The lawsuits allege manufacturers knew, or should have known that individuals could develop cancers and inflammatory bowel disease as a result of consuming high volumes of PFAS chemicals in their local tap water caused by the dumping and natural run-off of PFAS used in firefighting foams and manufacturing plants.
2025 AFFF Exposure Lawsuit Settlements
As of 2025, more than 10,000 lawsuits involving exposure to AFFF firefighting foam and PFAS-contaminated drinking water remain pending in Multidistrict Litigation (MDL No. 2873), centralized before Judge Richard M. Gergel in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. The Court has scheduled the first bellwether trials to begin in October 2025, which will involve claims by individuals diagnosed with kidney and testicular cancer following PFAS exposure.
These early trials are expected to serve as critical indicators of how juries may respond to the scientific evidence and allegations presented. The outcomes could significantly influence the trajectory of the litigation and prompt broader global settlement negotiations with the chemical manufacturers named in the lawsuits.
Given the progress of the MDL and the pressure mounting on defendants ahead of trial, now is the time for individuals who meet the criteria to come forward. The window to file a claim and participate in any future resolution is narrowing as the litigation advances toward trial.
4 Comments • Add Your Comments
Christopher says:
I worked for several years at Engine company 81 NYFD which was also known as a foam unit. Altho I cant recal ever using AFF foam at an actual fire . I can recall using foam at company drills and automobile accidents to cover fuel spills and in 2017 I was diagnosed with 3 cancers. follicular cancer, bladder cancer and sezary syndrome
I worked in a foam unit E-81 NYC FD for several years and used AFF foam at drills and auto fires and to cover oil and fuel spills, and 5 gallon foam concentrate was always carried on our fire fighting unit.
I
I worked for several years at E-81 NYCFD which was also known as the foam unit. I can recall using AFF foam on several fuel and oil spills and also at company drills and in 2015 I was diagnosed with 3 different types of cancer, bladder cancer, follicular limphoma and sezary syndrome. But due to the expense,the time consumed traveling getting treatments and the amount of suffering I have endured I feel that I should be compensated respectfully , submitted
Posted on January 20, 2021 at 11:16 am
Amber says:
Does this apply to mill operations and boiler operators or their fire teams
Posted on January 11, 2023 at 6:54 pm
jimmy says:
I had a short stay (about a year) in the U.S.Navy aboard a u.s. aircraft carrier as a ordnance mechanic. Afterwards i joined U.S. merchant marine as a Able-Bodied seamen here i served about seven years. Now i have bladder cancer since 2019 and currently attending chemo-therapy sessions. I’m not afraid to die but i don’t want my daughter and grand children thinking i did not fight hard enough for them. in addition i have barretts throat which as you know is a precursor to throat cancer. i’m 70 now and well you know what i mean. Thanks for reading.
Posted on November 29, 2023 at 10:27 pm
Tonia says:
I served as a volunteer fire fighter for 25 plus years I was diagnosed with breast cancer Worked with this foam for several years for structure fires and auto fires just waiting for updates
Posted on June 14, 2024 at 10:24 pm