Firefighting Foam Lawsuit Lawyer in Mississippi

People who worked with firefighting foam may not have known what was in it or that exposure could carry health risks. Certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in some of these foams have been associated with serious health problems, including some cancers. 

People who later become sick may have questions about where the exposure happened and whether they have a legal claim. A Mississippi firefighting foam lawsuit lawyer at Diaz Law Firm will look into your work history, possible AFFF exposure, diagnosis, and other facts that may connect your illness to these chemicals. 

Our firm has more than 100 years of combined experience and has recovered over $500 million for clients. Our Mississippi mass torts lawyer will explain how claims involving the same product may be handled alongside cases filed by people across the country. If you believe AFFF exposure may be connected to your illness, call for a free consultation. We are available 24/7.

What Is AFFF Firefighting Foam?

Aqueous film-forming foam, commonly called AFFF, is designed to put out fires involving fuel and other flammable liquids. It has been widely used at military facilities, airports, fire departments, training sites, and other places where fuel fires are a risk.

Some AFFF products contain PFAS. This large group of man-made chemicals includes perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Certain PFAS can remain in the environment and the human body for long periods.

PFAS Contamination Can Reach Soil and Groundwater

PFAS contamination can also spread beyond the place where firefighter foam was used. The chemicals may enter nearby soil or groundwater. This has raised concerns about both direct AFFF exposure and exposure through contaminated water.

The Environmental Protection Agency has studied PFAS because of concerns about their effects on human health and the environment. Ongoing medical and environmental research continues to provide more information about these chemicals and their possible long-term effects.

How Our Mississippi AFFF Firefighting Foam Attorneys Investigate a Claim

AFFF cases can involve exposure that happened many years before a person became sick. That makes the history behind the claim especially important. Diaz Law Firm will investigate where you worked or served, how AFFF was used there, and how often you may have come into contact with it. 

Our attorneys may review employment or military records, medical records, product information, and other evidence that helps establish a history of exposure. Our investigation may also identify which company made or supplied the firefighting foam. Mississippi product liability law allows certain claims involving defective products. 

Depending on the facts, questions may involve a design defect, inadequate warnings, or other problems with the product. Our nurse on staff may provide another resource as we work to understand the medical issues involved in an injury claim.

Who May Have Been Exposed to PFAS in Firefighting Foam?

AFFF claims are not limited to municipal firefighters. Our Mississippi AFFF lawsuit attorney may investigate exposure involving people who worked with or around the foam over many years.

People who may have had repeated contact with AFFF include:

• U.S. military firefighters and other service members.
• Airport firefighters and rescue crews.
• Municipal and industrial firefighters.
• Workers at military installations.
• Firefighting instructors and trainees.
• Workers who maintained firefighting equipment.
• People exposed to water contaminated by PFAS.

AFFF Exposure Can Extend Beyond Firefighters

A person does not necessarily have to have been a firefighter to have a possible exposure history. Aqueous film-forming foam was used for years at some airports and U.S. military bases, including during firefighting drills and training.

The Department of Defense used PFAS-containing firefighting foam for decades at military installations. For someone who lived or worked on or near a military base, an investigation may also involve whether PFAS from past AFFF use reached local groundwater. 

Airports are another important part of the AFFF story. For decades, federal requirements led to the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam at many airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since provided guidance on the transition to approved fluorine-free firefighting foam. 

PFAS Exposure Has Been Linked to Serious Health Concerns

Researchers continue to study the possible long-term effects of PFAS exposure. Studies have examined kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, effects involving the liver and immune system, and other health problems. 

Research has also examined possible associations with prostate cancer and certain other cancers. Not every condition has the same level of scientific support. For example, evidence involving bladder cancer or liver cancer may differ from the evidence involving kidney or testicular cancer. 

A diagnosis also does not prove that PFAS exposure caused a person‘s illness. Our legal team looks at the specific diagnosis, the PFAS involved, the length and type of exposure, and other facts that may affect a personal injury claim.

People concerned about their health should discuss possible PFAS chemical exposure and appropriate care with a medical provider.

What Damages May Be Available in an AFFF Lawsuit?

Cancer and other serious illnesses can affect far more than a person’s health. Treatment may interfere with work, require ongoing care, and change everyday life for the person who is sick and the people who care for them.

Depending on the claim, damages may compensate for medical expenses, future medical care, lost income, reduced ability to earn, pain and suffering, and other qualifying losses caused by the illness.

The damages available depend on the facts and law that apply to the individual case. We evaluate those losses instead of relying on a general estimate of what an AFFF claim may be worth.

Families May Have a Claim After an AFFF-Related Death

Families may have legal options when a loved one dies from an illness they believe is linked to PFAS exposure. In Mississippi, certain family members and other qualifying parties can pursue a wrongful death claim when another party’s wrongful act or fault caused the death.

A Mississippi wrongful death lawyer from our legal team can determine who may bring the claim and what damages may be available. We also consider how a pending AFFF claim may be affected if the injured person dies before the case is resolved.

Different filing rules may apply after a death, making it important to have the specific dates and circumstances reviewed. You can meet with our team to discuss your situation during a free consultation. We also answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about wrongful death claims in Mississippi.

The Mississippi Statute of Limitations Can Affect an AFFF Lawsuit

The statute of limitations sets a deadline for bringing a lawsuit. In Mississippi, determining that deadline can require a close look at when the injury or disease was discovered.

That rule can be important in an AFFF case because exposure may have happened years before a diagnosis. Other deadlines or rules may affect a particular claim. An AFFF lawsuit lawyer in Mississippi can review the dates involved and determine which filing period may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions About Firefighting Foam Lawsuits

AFFF cases can raise questions that are different from those involved in a typical injury claim. The answers often depend on where the exposure occurred, how long ago it happened, and the person’s medical history. 

Diaz Law Firm can review those details and explain how the larger firefighting foam litigation may relate to an individual claim.

Do I Need to Know Which Brand of Firefighting Foam I Used?

You may not remember the brand or company that made the AFFF you worked with, especially if the exposure happened years ago. Records from an employer, military installation, airport, fire department, or other source may help identify products used at a particular place and time.

Can I File a Claim if My AFFF Exposure Happened During Military Service?

Military members and veterans are among the groups who may have encountered AFFF during firefighting, emergency response, or training. A claim against a firefighting foam manufacturer is different from a claim against the military itself. Our personal injury law attorneys will determine what legal options may apply.

Is an AFFF Lawsuit a Class Action?

People sometimes refer to firefighter foam lawsuits as a class action, but individual injury claims are not necessarily handled that way. Many AFFF lawsuits have been coordinated in federal multidistrict litigation, or MDL, because the cases share questions involving the same products and manufacturers.

A mass tort lawsuit still focuses on the injuries and losses of an individual claimant. Diaz Law Firm will explain how the larger AFFF litigation may affect your own claim.

Talk With Our Firefighting Foam Lawsuit Lawyer in Mississippi

You may have spent years around AFFF before learning about the possible risks associated with PFAS. You deserve the opportunity to find out whether your exposure and illness may support a legal claim.

At Diaz Law Firm, we believe in Fighting for the injured: It‘s what we do. It‘s all we do. We will investigate your exposure, identify the parties who may be responsible, and explain the legal options available based on your circumstances.

We handle these cases on contingency, which means the attorney’s fee depends on whether we recover damages for you. We will explain the fee arrangement and other costs.

Call for a free consultation to learn how our firefighting foam lawsuit lawyer in Mississippi can help you.