PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” are highly toxic chemicals. We now know that PFAS have been contaminating the groundwater used by millions of families across the U.S. Exposure to PFAS in groundwater can cause cancer and other major health issues.
Anyone who has been seriously injured as a result of exposure to groundwater contaminated by PFAS may be able to file a civil lawsuit and get financial compensation. A growing number of these lawsuits are already being filed across the country. This page will look at the basic allegations in these water contamination lawsuits and their potential settlement value.
We are currently accepting new water contamination cases. If you developed cancer or other serious health conditions from water contaminated by PFAS, contact us today at 888-322-3010 or contact us online.
PFAS – The “Forever” Chemicals
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals known for their resistance to grease, water, and oils. The two most common types are perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
For over 60 years, PFAS have been widely used in both industrial and consumer products, including non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, cleaning products, and paints. However, their most significant use has been in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), commonly known as firefighting foam.
Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are highly resistant to environmental degradation. Once released into the environment, they do not break down, dilute, or disappear, leading to long-term contamination.
PFAS Contamination in Groundwater
Recent environmental studies have revealed widespread PFAS contamination in groundwater across the United States. Due to their chemical properties, PFAS are particularly prone to leaching into groundwater.
These chemicals can enter the environment wherever they are manufactured, used, disposed of, or spilled. Once released, PFAS are highly mobile, easily spreading through rainwater runoff into lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Unlike other contaminants, PFAS are not naturally filtered by soil, allowing them to seep directly into groundwater.
Groundwater contamination is most prevalent near PFAS manufacturing sites and areas where PFAS-containing products were frequently used or discarded. Airports, for instance, are common contamination hotspots due to the routine use of firefighting foam in training exercises. Once sprayed, the PFAS seep into the groundwater with little to no dilution, contributing to widespread water contamination.
Laws and Regulations on Drinking Water Safety
There are various local, state and federal laws and regulations that come into play in most water contamination lawsuits. The primary federal law relating to water contamination and water safety is the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) of 1974.
The SDWA established comprehensive standards to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water in the United States. This landmark legislation requires the enforcement of primary and secondary drinking water standards to protect public health. Under the SDWA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for setting Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), which define the highest allowable concentration of specific contaminants in public water systems.
MCLs are determined based on the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG), a non-enforceable target that represents the safest level at which no known or anticipated health effects occur. For carcinogens, the MCLG is set at zero, reflecting a strict policy against the presence of cancer-causing substances in drinking water.
Another federal law that plays a key role in water contamination litigation is the Clear Water Act of 1972 (CWA). The CWA imposes various regulatory obligations on companies. The primary obligation under the CWA requires companies to disclose detailed information about what chemical toxins they dispose of.
PFAS in Groundwater Can Cause Cancer
PFAS are known to be toxic to the human body. The is a also growing body of scientific research showing that chronic exposure to PFAS (and similar chemicals) in groundwater can significantly increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Lab studies using animals have found clear evidence of link between PFAS exposure and the following types of cancer:
- Liver Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
Additional studies have found some evidence suggesting a potential link between PFAS and ovarian cancer and bladder cancer.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified PFAS as “carcinogenic to humans” based on substantial evidence of its cancer-causing effects in laboratory animals and strong indications that it exhibits key carcinogenic properties in humans.
AFFF Firefighting Foam and PFAS Contamination
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), commonly known as firefighting foam, is a chemical foam that was widely used for decades to extinguish fires fueled by accelerants like gasoline. AFFF firefighting foam contains very high levels of toxic PFAS. It was widely used by firefighters, the military, and at airports across the country. The widespread use of AFFF foam is one of the primary causes of PFAS groundwater contamination in the country.
Locations of PFAS Contaminated Groundwater
The most common water contamination sites involving PFAS are near military bases, industrial facilities, and airports. Why? Because one of the primary sources of PFAS in water has been the use of AFFF firefighting foam, and these are locations where firefighting foam was been used in training exercises for decades. Over time, the chemicals have leached into local water supplies.
PFAS water contamination has been identified across the United States. There are currently over 2,800 locations nationwide that have been confirmed as PFAS-contaminated sites. This contamination affects not only groundwater sources but also numerous municipal water supply systems. PFAS has been detected in municipal water systems across 33 states and in groundwater across 38 states, exposing an estimated 16 million people to contaminated drinking water.
Water Contamination Lawsuits
Over the last several years, water contamination lawsuits have been filed in large numbers across the country. The water contamination lawsuits have been filed against a collection of different companies that manufactured AFFF foam (or other products with PFAS). These companies include big corporations like 3M and DuPont.
The water contamination lawsuits have generally fallen into 2 types of categories: (1) municipal water supply cases, and (2) individual injury cases.
The municipal water contamination cases have been brought by local jurisdictions across the country. These lawsuit assert that the local public water supply system has been contaminated by PFAS coming from AFFF and other products manufactured by the defendants. In most cases, there is a military base or firefighting training facility that is the suspected source of the contamination. The municipal water supply cases seek damages on behalf of the city, county or local water authority for the cost of cleaning the PFAS contamination from the water system.
The second type of water contamination cases involve claims brought by individual plaintiffs who allege that they developed cancer, or some other type of health condition, as a result of being exposed to drinking water contaminated by PFAS. Most of these plaintiffs lived on or near military bases, airports, or industrial sites where AFFF or other products containing PFAS were made or used. The specific injuries alleged in these water contamination lawsuits include:
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
- Ulcerative Colitis
Settlement Payout Estimates for Water Contamination Lawsuits
The PFAS water contamination lawsuits are expected to be resolved through a global settlement, where defendants agree to pay a substantial sum to settle all pending cases. Individual settlement amounts will be determined using a tiered system, with payouts based on factors such as the severity of injuries and the strength of each claim.
Plaintiffs in the highest settlement tier will likely be those with prolonged PFAS exposure and a diagnosis of severe, advanced-stage cancers strongly linked to these chemicals, including kidney, prostate, and testicular cancer. Those with less severe health conditions will fall into lower settlement tiers.
Drawing from previous mass tort settlements involving similar claims, top-tier PFAS water contamination cases are estimated to have settlement values ranging from $140,000 to $350,000, while second-tier cases may settle between $60,000 and $150,000. Cases in the lowest level (Tier III) will likely have a value of $10,000 to $50,000.
| Settlement Tier | Estimated Settlement Range ($) |
|---|---|
| Tier I | $140,000 – $350,000 |
| Tier II | $60,000 – $150,000 |
| Tier III | $10,000 – $50,000 |
Contact Us About Water Contamination Cases
Our firm is actively seeking and pursuing water contamination injury cases across the country. If you developed cancer or other serious health conditions from water contaminated by PFAS, contact us today at 888-322-3010 or contact us online.