As a concerned citizen, you may be wondering if there are legal options available if you or a loved one developed cancer due to exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are human-made chemicals that do not naturally break down in the environment and can accumulate over time. They have been used in consumer and industrial products since the 1940s but have recently been linked to adverse health effects like various forms of cancer. If you have suffered harm due to PFAS exposure, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit to recover damages. However, the ability to take legal action depends on several factors. Talk with a PFAS class action lawyer today.
PFAS Exposure Through Contaminated Water: A Public Health Crisis
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer after exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through contaminated drinking water, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. PFAS refers to a group of manufactured chemicals used to make products more resistant to stains, grease, and water. However, PFAS chemicals like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been linked to serious health issues when ingested, including kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
A Public Health Crisis
Communities across the U.S. have discovered high levels of PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS in public water systems and private wells. These "forever chemicals" are very persistent in the environment and human body, accumulating over time with continued exposure. According to studies by the National Cancer Institute and other research organizations, there are probable links between PFAS exposure and increased cancer risks, especially kidney and testicular cancers.
If you have been exposed to unsafe levels of PFAS in your drinking water and subsequently developed cancer, you may have grounds for legal action against the parties responsible for contaminating the water supply. PFAS manufacturers, the Department of Defense, airports, and other entities that used PFAS chemicals and allowed them to seep into groundwater and public water systems may be liable for the resulting health issues. By filing a lawsuit, you can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Many people exposed to PFAS are still unaware of the health risks and their legal rights. If you believe PFAS exposure caused your cancer, consult with an attorney regarding your eligibility to pursue legal action. Together, we can work to hold polluters accountable and make communities safer by reducing PFAS contamination.
Who Can Sue For PFAS Contamination?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or other health issues linked to PFAS exposure, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. PFAS refers to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of man-made chemicals used to make products resistant to water, grease, and stains. Many people have been exposed to these "forever chemicals" through contaminated drinking water, food, consumer products, and occupation.
You may be able to take legal action against companies that produced or used PFAS chemicals if:
•You have been diagnosed with a form of cancer, such as kidney cancer, testicular cancer, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, that has been linked to PFAS exposure.
•You have suffered from other health issues connected to PFAS, such as thyroid disease, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, or pregnancy-induced hypertension.
•You have lived in an area with known PFAS contamination in the drinking water or have worked in an occupation where you handled or were exposed to high amounts of PFAS, like manufacturing facilities that used PFAS.
•A family member has been diagnosed with a PFAS-related illness or died from the effects of PFAS exposure. In these cases, surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The ability to take action depends on the laws in your state and specifics of your situation. However, if PFAS contamination caused harm, you deserve justice and financial compensation. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer about your legal options can help determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit. Together, we can hold companies accountable for the damage done and make communities safer.
What Are Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. There are thousands of PFAS chemicals, some of the most well-known being perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).
PFAS were once commonly used to make products more resistant to stains, grease, and water. They have been used in nonstick cookware, stain-resistant carpets and fabrics, food packaging, cosmetics, and firefighting foams. However, PFAS chemicals have been linked to serious health issues and pollution, leading to regulations and bans on certain compounds.
When PFAS enter the environment, they accumulate in the air, soil, water, plants, fish, and other wildlife. Humans can be exposed to PFAS through contaminated air, water, soil, as well as consumer products. Once in the body, certain PFAS can remain and accumulate for many years. Exposure to high levels of certain PFAS has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, changes in liver enzymes, decreased fertility, thyroid disease, and certain cancers like kidney cancer and testicular cancer.
Some U.S. states have set health advisory levels or maximum contaminant levels for PFOA, PFOS and other PFAS in drinking water. Several PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, have been voluntarily phased out of production in the U.S., though they are still produced internationally and can be found in imported consumer goods.
If you have been exposed to high levels of PFAS and developed related health issues like cancer, you may be entitled to compensation. Speaking with a PFAS lawyer can help determine if you have grounds for a PFAS lawsuit.
The Link Between PFAS Exposure and Cancer Risk
Research has revealed a link between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and an increased risk of certain cancers. PFAS are man-made chemicals used in many consumer and industrial products to make them waterproof, stain-resistant, or nonstick. They are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly and accumulate in the environment and human body.
PFAS Exposure and Cancer
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. According to several studies, people with higher exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), two of the most well-known PFAS, have a higher risk of kidney cancer. The same has been found for testicular cancer in men. There is also evidence that exposure to PFOA and PFOS is linked to increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of immune system cancer.
The connection between PFAS exposure and cancer risk is still being researched, but it is believed PFAS may act as endocrine disruptors in the human body. They could interfere with natural hormones and promote the growth of tumors. Due to their widespread use and persistence in the environment, most people have been exposed to low levels of PFAS. Higher exposure may have occurred in certain occupations like chemical plant workers or firefighters. If you have been exposed to high levels of PFAS and developed kidney cancer, testicular cancer, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, you may be eligible to file a PFAS cancer lawsuit.
In summary, while more research is still needed, there are indications that exposure to the toxic PFAS chemicals, especially PFOA and PFOS, could increase the risk of certain cancers like kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. If you developed one of these cancers after exposure to high levels of PFAS, you should consult with a personal injury attorney to determine if you have grounds for a PFAS lawsuit.
If You've Been Exposed to PFAS, You May Be Entitled to Compensation
If you have been exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and subsequently developed cancer, you may be entitled to financial compensation. PFAS are man-made chemicals used in many consumer and industrial products that have been linked to certain types of cancer.
Filing a Lawsuit
To file a lawsuit against companies that manufactured or used PFAS chemicals, you will need to prove that:
- You were exposed to PFAS through drinking water, living near a facility that used PFAS, or other means. This can often be determined through blood testing to check for certain PFAS biomarkers.
- Your exposure to PFAS likely caused or contributed to your cancer diagnosis. Certain types of cancer, such as kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, have been linked to PFAS exposure. You will need medical records and possibly expert medical testimony to establish this connection.
- The companies that manufactured, distributed, or used the PFAS chemicals you were exposed to did so negligently. This may include failure to properly warn about or mitigate health risks.
If you are able to prove these elements, you may recover damages related to your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Many people who have developed cancer after exposure to toxic chemicals like PFAS have received settlements for hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
PFAS litigation is an emerging area, and new information is still coming to light about the health impacts of these chemicals. However, if you believe your cancer was caused by exposure to PFAS, speaking with a personal injury attorney about your legal options is advisable. They can review the details of your case, determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit, and help you pursue compensation from the responsible parties.
Contact Fletcher Law To Speak With A PFAS Lawyer About Your Legal Options
If you believe exposure to PFAS chemicals may have caused you or a loved one to develop cancer or another serious health condition, you may want to consider pursuing legal action. Speaking with an experienced PFAS lawyer at Fletcher Law about your legal options is an important first step. They can review the details of your case, determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit, and advise you on the best way to proceed.
Gather Information
To determine if you have a valid case, a PFAS attorney will need details about your health issues, medical history, and any exposure to PFAS chemicals. Be prepared to provide:
- Medical records, test results, and physician statements regarding your diagnosis and treatment.
- Work history and records indicating exposure to PFAS through employment.
- Residential history if exposure occurred near contaminated water sources or industrial sites.
- Records of property ownership or occupancy near known PFAS release sites.
- Any other evidence that could link your health issues to PFAS exposure.
Providing as much information as possible about your situation will allow the lawyer to thoroughly evaluate your claim. They can then explain your legal options, the likelihood of success, potential compensation and timelines involved with a PFAS lawsuit. While it may be an uphill battle, victims of corporate negligence and toxic exposure deserve justice and financial restitution. Speaking with a PFAS lawyer is the only way to know if you have a viable case, so don’t hesitate to schedule a free initial consultation.