Have you or a loved one developed cancer or serious illness after exposure to Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)? You may qualify for financial compensation through an AFFF lawsuit. AFFF contains toxic chemicals called PFAS—also known as “forever chemicals”—linked to life-threatening health issues such as kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and thyroid disorders.
Thousands of victims, including firefighters and military personnel, have filed AFFF lawsuits nationwide, and major legal developments are already underway. If you were exposed to AFFF while working at an airport, military base, chemical plant, or during firefighting operations, it’s important to understand your rights.
Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) is a firefighting foam designed to extinguish flammable liquid fires—especially jet fuel and petroleum-based blazes. For decades, AFFF has been used by:
U.S. Navy and other military branches
Civilian and airport firefighters
Oil refinery workers
Chemical plant employees
AFFF contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), synthetic chemicals that do not break down in the body or environment. Scientific research has identified PFAS exposure as a serious public health threat. Manufacturers like 3M, DuPont, and Tyco Fire Products failed to warn users of these AFFF health risks, prompting a wave of product liability lawsuits.
PFAS in AFFF have been linked to a growing number of cancers and chronic illnesses, including:
Kidney cancer
Testicular cancer
Bladder cancer
Pancreatic and liver cancer
Thyroid disease
Ulcerative colitis
High cholesterol and immune system disruption
Exposure can happen directly through use or indirectly through environmental contamination, such as drinking water near military bases or airports. Many AFFF lawsuit Navy cases involve service members who were repeatedly exposed during training and active duty.
You may qualify for compensation through an AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit if:
You worked with or around AFFF foam (firefighters, airport workers, Navy personnel, chemical plant employees, etc.)
You were diagnosed with cancer or another illness associated with PFAS exposure
You are a family member of someone who was harmed or died due to AFFF-related conditions
AFFF lawsuits are time-sensitive. Each state has a statute of limitations, so don’t delay in contacting an experienced AFFF attorney.
As of July 2025, the AFFF firefighting foam multidistrict litigation (MDL 2873) has reached over 11,000 active cases. A surge in new lawsuits is being driven by growing speculation around a potential global AFFF settlement. Many of these new claims involve long-term occupational exposure among firefighters, military personnel, and airport workers—groups shown to have the highest levels of PFAS exposure.
The first bellwether trial, currently focused on kidney cancer claims, is scheduled to begin on October 20, 2025. A motion is pending to determine whether multiple Pennsylvania plaintiffs will be allowed to proceed together or if the trial will focus on a single plaintiff. Recent pre-trial developments include Science Day on June 20, which addressed PFAS links to liver and thyroid cancer, followed by plaintiffs’ expert disclosures submitted on July 11 and the upcoming defendant disclosures due August 22.
The MDL continues to prioritize claims involving kidney cancer, testicular cancer, liver cancer, thyroid cancer, thyroid disease, and ulcerative colitis—conditions most strongly supported by scientific studies linking them to PFAS chemicals found in firefighting foam.
Based on exposure severity, type of illness, and duration of AFFF use, potential settlement values are currently estimated as:
Tier 1 Claims: $300,000 – $600,000
(Long-term occupational exposure + high-risk cancers)
Tier 2 Claims: $150,000 – $280,000
Tier 3 Claims: Less than $75,000
(Lower exposure, less severe symptoms)
These figures are not guaranteed, but provide a general range based on comparable toxic exposure lawsuits.
DuPont, 3M, Chemours, Tyco Fire Products, and other manufacturers remain the primary defendants. New documents suggest these companies may have known about PFAS health risks as early as the 1960s, which could increase their exposure to punitive damages.
If you or a loved one has experienced complications from AFFF firefighting foam, don’t wait to seek legal help.
Contact Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro today for a FREE consultation.
Call (800) 675-8556 or contact us online to get started.
Across the country, firefighters, U.S. Navy veterans, airport personnel, and first responders are among the most severely impacted by PFAS exposure from AFFF firefighting foam. Many trusted this foam as a life-saving tool—unaware of the long-term health consequences it carried.
The U.S. Navy began using AFFF in the 1960s, deploying it extensively on ships, airfields, and military bases. Unfortunately, the same foam that suppressed fuel-based fires also contaminated soil and drinking water, putting millions of service members at risk.
Today, many AFFF lawsuit Navy cases are being filed by former sailors, naval aviation personnel, and base firefighters who developed kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and other PFAS-related illnesses. Several bases—such as Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Norfolk, and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam—have been flagged for PFAS contamination in nearby water supplies.
Veterans seeking compensation through an AFFF lawsuit should know that filing a civil claim does not impact VA benefits. A separate lawsuit against foam manufacturers is a way to hold corporations accountable and recover compensation not available through federal programs.
For decades, FAA regulations required commercial airports to stock and use AFFF for fire safety compliance. Many airport firefighters used PFAS-containing foam during training drills and emergency response without proper protective gear.
Major airports across New York and the U.S.—including JFK, LaGuardia, and Albany International Airport—have tested positive for PFAS contamination. Workers at these facilities now face elevated risks of bladder cancer, thyroid disorders, and liver damage.
If you worked at or near an airport firefighting unit and later developed cancer or autoimmune issues, you may qualify for an AFFF lawsuit settlement. Documentation of job history, illness diagnosis, and foam usage is essential—our AFFF lawyers can help you gather what’s needed.
Volunteer and municipal firefighters are also eligible for compensation if they were exposed to AFFF through fire suppression efforts or contaminated water supplies. While manufacturers profited for years, firefighters bore the health costs without being warned of the AFFF health risks.
Today, many fire foam lawsuit claims involve not only career firefighters but also volunteers from small towns and rural departments across New York State. Whether you served in Manhattan or in upstate communities like Schroon Lake or Owego, you have rights—and our firm is here to defend them.
This litigation is more than a fight for money—it’s a reckoning for the harm caused by corporate negligence. Manufacturers of firefighting foam knew for decades that PFAS was toxic, yet continued to market AFFF as safe.
For those who answered the call of duty, the consequences have been devastating. Through the AFFF lawsuit, our attorneys aim to:
Expose manufacturer misconduct
Obtain justice for injured workers and their families
Secure meaningful compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and wrongful death
Whether you’re a Navy veteran, an airport firefighter, or a local first responder, our AFFF attorneys will fight to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our nationally respected mass tort attorneys are fighting for those affected by fire foam exposure. When you hire us:
We provide a free case review
We help you gather medical records, military service or job history, and evidence of exposure
We file your claim and represent you in settlement negotiations or trial
We seek maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs
We serve clients throughout New York—including Long Island, NYC, Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse, and Rochester—as well as nationwide. Whether you’re a retired Navy servicemember or a local firefighter, our AFFF attorneys are here to advocate for you.
Chemical companies knew about the dangers of PFAS and failed to act. It’s time to hold them accountable. If you’ve been affected by AFFF exposure, contact us today to explore your legal options.
Call (800) 675-8556 or fill out our online form for a FREE consultation.
What is AFFF used for?
AFFF is used to suppress fuel-based fires, particularly in aviation, military, and industrial settings.
What are PFAS and why are they dangerous?
PFAS are long-lasting chemicals found in firefighting foam, nonstick cookware, and water-resistant materials. They build up in the body and are linked to cancer, liver damage, thyroid disease, and more.
Who can file an AFFF lawsuit?
Eligible claimants include firefighters, military veterans (especially those in the Navy), airport workers, and others exposed to AFFF who developed a serious health condition.
How much is the AFFF settlement worth?
While water contamination settlements have totaled in the billions, personal injury claims are being evaluated individually. Payouts could reach six or seven figures depending on the case.
What is the latest AFFF lawsuit news?
New bellwether trials are moving forward in the South Carolina MDL. Additional settlements are expected in 2025 and beyond as manufacturers face mounting legal pressure.
Is there still time to file?
Yes, but the window to file is closing. Contact an AFFF lawyer immediately to protect your right to compensation.
The fire foam lawsuit is one of the largest chemical exposure cases in U.S. history. If you or a family member is suffering the consequences of PFAS exposure from AFFF, you deserve to be heard.
Let Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro fight for the justice and financial recovery you’re entitled to.
📞 Call (800) 675-8556 or get your free consultation today.