PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuit Lawyer

Were you or a loved one diagnosed with cancer or ulcerative colitis and believe it might be related to your consumption of water contaminated by forever chemicals? A mass torts attorney can help you determine whether you qualify for a PFAS lawsuit and seek compensation on your behalf.

Call Guardian Legal Network to be connected to a PFAS lawsuit lawyer in your area: (844) 207-0415. Our team is dedicated to getting you the help you need.

What Can a PFAS Lawsuit Lawyer Do for Me?

A PFAS lawyer will handle every aspect of your case for you. Tasks your lawyer will manage could include:

Using their knowledge and experience to build a strong case on your behalf
Navigate through the complexities of environmental law
Answer your questions about PFAS lawsuits
Determining whether you qualify for a mass tort
Gathering evidence to establish you consumed contaminated water, which caused your diagnosis
Determining the best course of action for you
Negotiating for a fair settlement
Representing you in court

How Much Will It Cost Me to Hire a PFAS Lawsuit Lawyer?

It will likely cost you nothing upfront to hire a PFAS lawyer. Most PFAS attorneys handle cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means their fee is contingent on whether you recover compensation. Injury lawyers only recover compensation if you do. They take a percentage of your settlement or award, which they will discuss with you when you sign your contract. There should be no surprises when you work with an injury lawyer.

What Can I Recover in a PFAS Lawsuit?

The compensation you can obtain depends on the specifics of your case. You may be able to recover:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Other out-of-pocket expenses related to your illness
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium
Mental anguish
Impairment
Inconvenience

A PFAS lawsuit attorney can determine what you can recover.

What Do These Lawsuits Allege?

Lawsuits have been filed against dozens of manufacturers and insurance companies suing for PFAS contamination. These mass torts allege that the forever chemicals these manufacturers create are contaminating drinking water and causing serious illnesses. They also allege that the companies exposed people to PFAS, knowing their potential for injury.

PFAS Settlements

People are often curious about the average settlement in PFAS cases. It’s important to note that there isn’t one. Settlements and awards in mass torts depend on the plaintiff’s specific illness and losses. This means that your potential settlement or award is unique to you.

However, plaintiffs and defendants have reached settlements in these cases. Some include:

3M
DuPont

PFAS Lawsuit Updates

New lawsuits are being filed almost daily. Below are some updates on ongoing lawsuits or those that were recently filed.

April 15, 2024: The Orange County Water District and several other public water companies in California sued seven manufacturers of forever chemicals for negligence and creating a nuisance by contaminating water with forever chemicals, according to reporting by Reuters.

April 12, 2024: Tyco, a subsidiary of Johnson Controls, settled for $750 million with a number of U.S. public water systems for claims that their firefighting foam contaminated water supplies, according to an April 12 Reuters article.

April 1, 2024: U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel, the judge overseeing the multidistrict litigation in South Carolina, finalized the $10.3 billion settlement between 3M and several U.S. water suppliers, per the Associated Press.

January 25, 2024: Connecticut filed two lawsuits against 28 PFAS manufacturers for “knowingly contaminating” water, according to the Connecticut State Department of Health.

November 30, 2023: Wausau, WI, filed a lawsuit against over a dozen manufacturers of forever chemicals and 61 insurance companies.

February 8, 2024: U.S. District Judge Gergel finalized the $1.18 billion settlement between DuPont de Nemours and two other companies and water utilities, The Hill reports.

October 5, 2023: A federal judge consolidated approximately 100,000 PFAS water pollution claims from North Carolina residents and property owners against E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co and The Chemours Co., according to an October 5, 2023 article in Reuters.

August 21, 2023: Eau Claire, WI, sued manufacturers of forever chemicals for contaminating their drinking water supply.

August 15, 2023: Residents of Stella, WI, sued 3M and Ahlstrom Munksjo, owners of the Rhinelander paper mill, for contaminating their well water with forever chemicals. Extremely high levels of PFAS were found in dozens of private wells throughout the town, according to WXPR.

What Criteria Must I Meet to Qualify for a PFAS Lawsuit?

To qualify for a PFAS mass tort, you must meet specific requirements:

You consumed water contaminated with PFAS for at least six consecutive months starting January 1, 1990, AND
You were diagnosed with kidney cancer, liver cancer, testicular cancer, or ulcerative colitis after January 1, 2000.

Your medical records can help establish your diagnosis.

How Can I Tell If I Consumed Contaminated Water?

You and your lawyer must be able to prove you consistently drank water contaminated with forever chemicals. You can use this interactive map from the PFAS-REACH team and search your current or previous address. You can also use this PFAS site map from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

What Are Forever Chemicals?

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, are a group of synthetic chemicals that repel heat, water, oil, and grease. These chemicals have been used throughout the country since the 1940s. There are thousands of known forever chemicals.

They are known as forever chemicals because they do not break down in the environment and can move through soil, contaminating drinking water. These forever chemicals have been found in many rivers and lakes throughout the United States, making it difficult to avoid PFAS exposure.

Are Forever Chemicals Still Used in the United States?

Yes, PFAS are still used in the United States. Some PFAS are being phased out, but since they don’t break down and PFAS have already contaminated our drinking water, the damage has already been done.

PFAS Associated to Adverse Health Effects

There are at least 12,000 PFAS in existence. While the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating these chemicals, their health effects are not yet well-known. However, certain forever chemicals have been linked to some adverse effects.

PFOA

PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) is used in non-stick coatings, protective coatings for upholstery and carpets. It was also used in Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF or firefighting foam) until 2001.

PFOA has been linked to:

Kidney cancer
Testicular cancer
Increased cholesterol levels
A lower antibody response with some vaccines
Liver enzyme changes
Preeclampsia
Pregnancy-induced hypertension
Small decreases in birth weight

PFOS

Like PFOA, PFOS (perfluorooctanoic acid) is used in protective coatings for upholstery and carpets and non-stick coatings (and AFFF until 2001).

PFOS has been linked to:

Small decreases in birth weight
Pregnancy-induced hypertension
Preeclampsia
Lower antibody response with some vaccines
Liver enzyme changes
Increased cholesterol levels

PFNA

PFNA (perfluorononanoic acid) is used as a cleaning agent, lubricating oil, polishing surfactant, and fire extinguisher surfactant. It is also used in the manufacturing of fluoropolymers.

PFNA has been linked to cholesterol level increases.

PFDA

PFDA (perfluorodecanoic acid) is used in apparel, cosmetics, food packaging, and firefighting foam.

PFDA has been linked to:

A lower antibody response with some vaccines
An increased cholesterol level

PFHxS

PFHxS (perfluorohexane sulfonic acid) is typically used to produce other forever chemicals.

It has been linked to:

Changed liver enzymes
A lower antibody response with certain vaccines

PFAS have also been linked to liver cancer and ulcerative colitis.

Where Have Elevated PFAS Level Been Found?

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), water contaminated with forever chemicals has been found across the United States. According to a study published in 2023, an estimated 45% of tap water across the nation is contaminated with at least one forever chemical.

The study found that most contamination was near urban areas and “potential PFAS sources.” PFAS sources could include airports, military bases, production plants, paper mills, landfills, water treatment sites, and fire training sites.

Regions with contaminated water include:

The Eastern Seaboard
The Great Lakes
The Great Plains
Central and Southern California

However, a 2023 report by environmental watchdogs Environment America, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), and the Frontier Group found that it’s likely that all major drinking water sources across the nation are contaminated with PFAS.

How Long You Have to File a PFAS Case

The statute of limitations for a PFAS case depends on the state in which you file your lawsuit. Some states have a statute of limitations as short as one year. You must act within this time limit, or you risk recovering nothing.

However, you want to act quickly regardless of the time limit.

Get Help From a PFAS Lawsuit Attorney

You deserve compensation and justice. The Guardian Legal Network wants to help you get that justice. We can connect you with a lawyer who can fight to get you that compensation.

Call us today: (844) 207-0415.

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