Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are chemicals used in various industries that are now recognized for their health risks. As awareness of the harmful effects of PFAS has grown, individuals affected by PFAS exposure are pursuing legal action for justice and compensation. The Guardian Legal Network specializes in assisting victims of PFAS contamination, offering free case evaluations to help guide you through the process of filing a PFAS Contamination Lawsuit.
Health Issues Linked to PFAS Exposure
Victims of PFAS contamination have reported a variety of health conditions, such as:
- Testicular Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Liver Cancer
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with any of these conditions following PFAS exposure, exploring legal options is crucial.
PFAS Contamination Lawsuit Damages
In a PFAS contamination lawsuit, individuals can seek compensation for various damages and losses resulting from their exposure to PFAS chemicals. The specific areas of compensation typically include:
- Medical Expenses: This can cover both past and future medical costs related to the treatment of health conditions linked to PFAS exposure, such as cancer, liver disease, ulcerative colitis, etc. It includes hospital bills, medication costs, and any specialized treatment or ongoing care.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: If the health effects of PFAS exposure have led to missed work, reduced working hours, or an inability to continue working in the same capacity, individuals can claim compensation for lost wages. This also extends to the loss of future earning capacity if the individual’s ability to earn is permanently affected.
- Pain and Suffering: This non-economic damage refers to the physical pain and emotional distress suffered due to illnesses caused by PFAS exposure. It recognizes the impact on an individual’s quality of life, including anxiety, depression, stress, and other psychological effects.
- Punitive Damages: In some cases, if it’s proven that the responsible parties knowingly exposed individuals to PFAS without adequate warning or measures to prevent harm, the court might award punitive damages. These are meant to punish the wrongdoers and deter similar conduct in the future.
- Legal Costs: Plaintiffs can also seek to recover the costs associated with pursuing the lawsuit, including attorney fees and other legal expenses.
Each case is unique, and the specific compensation sought will depend on the circumstances of the individual’s exposure and the extent of the damages suffered. Legal advice is crucial to understand and effectively pursue all applicable areas of compensation in a PFAS contamination lawsuit.
References
- Reuters. (2023). ‘Forever chemicals’ were everywhere in 2023. Expect more litigation in 2024. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/forever-chemicals-were-everywhere-2023-expect-more-litigation-2024-2023-12-28/ [Accessed 19 Jan. 2024]
- Reuters. (2023). PFAS settlements: Future of PFAS litigation landscape to be determined by upcoming decision. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/pfas-settlements-future-pfas-litigation-landscape-be-determined-by-upcoming-2023-08-31/ [Accessed 19 Jan. 2024]
- Wisconsin Public Radio. (2024). PFAS lawsuits involve complex science and law, but settlements can be worth millions. [online] Available at: https://www.wpr.org/pfas-lawsuits-involve-complex-science-and-law-settlements-can-be-worth-millions [Accessed 19 Jan. 2024]
- WZZM13. Wolverine Worldwide settlement. [online] Available at: https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/water-worries/wolverine-worldwide-settlement/69-8db9f8c5-23da-4b76-9812-455b934ebc17 [Accessed 19 Jan. 2024].
- United States District Court, District of South Carolina. MDL No. 2873 – In Re: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation. [online] Available at: https://www.scd.uscourts.gov/mdl-2873/index.asp [Accessed 19 Jan. 2024].
- The New York Times. (2023, June 22). 3M Settlement in ‘Forever Chemicals’ Lawsuit. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/22/business/3m-settlement-forever-chemicals-lawsuit.html [Accessed 19 Jan. 2024].