Thursday, May 5, 2022 - Americans are generally left in shock and disbelief when they hear of a friend or associate who has developed cancer and filed a PFAS drinking water lawsuit. It is equally disturbing to find out the water their family members drank, bathed, and played in for years was contaminated with a deadly toxin, fearing that family members may now have PFAS forever chemical cancer. For decades, millions of American military service members, their spouses, and children living on or near the military base where they were stationed and were exposed to dangerous levels of drinking water contamination. PFAS cancer lawsuits against the Federal government may be the only way to receive lump-sum monetary compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the government's negligence in disposing of their toxic waste.
From the 1970s until the year 2000 or so roughly, the military used firefighting foam to extinguish petroleum fires. Firefighting foam manufactured by 3M and others contained PFAS forever chemicals that take decades to organically break down and bioaccumulate in the body causing cancer. According to NPR, "PFAS chemicals have been linked to a wide range of health effects, including cancer, low birth weight, thyroid disease, elevated cholesterol, and effects on the immune system," says Laurel Schaider, a research scientist at Silent Spring Institute." Of the above conditions, cancer is the most feared as its detection could take years to manifest. Young mothers fear that they could have developed cancer and not know they have it, yet are apprehensive about being tested. The fact remains that millions of people could be walking around right now with undetected PFAS cancer. The EPA has written of what they surely know about PFAS forever chemical's detrimental effects on human health, citing peer-reviewed scientific studies. They have determined that exposure to PFAS forever chemicals may result in decreased fertility, high blood pressure in pregnant women, childhood developmental delays, low birth weight, early puberty, bone development abnormalities, and prostate, kidney, and testicular cancer. Studies also link exposure to PFAS forever chemicals with a weakened immune system that does not respond well to vaccines, and finally high cholesterol levels and obesity.
The US government has taken action and drafted several pieces of legislation aimed at several causes. The first is an attempt to ban the use of firefighting foam by the military and also ban its use at airports where it is currently mandated. Other legislation aims at eliminating the statute of limitations that was placed on service member lawsuits against the government over the PFAS cancer or other illnesses they suffered. The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is sitting at the Senate's doorstep awaiting consideration. State and local governments are also active in filing lawsuits against 3M, the primary manufacturer of toxic firefighting foam, and seek billions of dollars collectively to remediate local polluted rivers and water treatment systems.
Our attorneys specialize in holding large corporations accountable when they've placed profits ahead of safety. Through settlements and winning verdicts, our attorneys have obtained millions for our clients. Let us help you today.
Filing a lawsuit will allow you to hold the federal government accountable for damage it has caused you or a loved one, while also providing real compensation for your medical expenses, suffering and loss. Contact us today for a free consultation.