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AFFF Firefighting Foam Cancer Lawsuit: See If You Qualify

Military firefighters, Air Force and Navy personnel, and airport firefighters exposed to AFFF foam may have developed cancer from PFAS chemicals in the foam. If you've been diagnosed, you may have a legal claim for compensation. Approximately 15,000 personal injury cases are currently pending in federal MDL 2873, with a second bellwether pool of 28 drinking-water-exposure cases being built for 2026-2027.

~15,000
Personal Injury Cases Pending in MDL 2873 (April 2026)*
Source: U.S. District Court, D.S.C., MDL 2873 docket
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Personal Injury vs. Water Utility Claims: Federal MDL 2873 in the District of South Carolina consolidates both AFFF personal injury and water contamination lawsuits. 3M's 2023 $10.3 billion settlement resolved most of the water-utility track - but did NOT cover individual injury claims. The personal-injury track is separate, with approximately 15,000 cases pending as of April 2026 and a second bellwether pool of 28 drinking-water-exposure cases now being prepared. Source: U.S. District Court, D.S.C., MDL 2873 docket, 2026.

What Is AFFF and Why Is It Dangerous?

AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) is a firefighting agent used by the U.S. military, civilian airports, and industrial facilities since the 1960s to extinguish fuel-based fires. It is highly effective - but it contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a class of man-made chemicals that do not break down in the environment or the human body.

Firefighters and military personnel were exposed to PFAS through repeated skin contact, inhalation during training drills, and ingestion of contaminated groundwater near bases where AFFF was regularly used. The chemicals accumulate over time, and studies have associated long-term PFAS exposure with multiple forms of cancer.

Cases are consolidated in federal MDL 2873 (In re: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation) in the District of South Carolina. As of April 2026, approximately 15,000 personal injury cases are pending in the MDL. (Earlier public figures citing 270,000+ AFFF cases combined water-utility claims with personal injury claims; the personal-injury inventory specifically stands at ~15,000.)

In October 2025, the first scheduled personal injury bellwether trial was vacated via Case Management Order No. 35, and the court is now building a second bellwether pool of 28 drinking-water-exposure cases involving kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, and ulcerative colitis - primarily tied to communities near Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Willow Grove, and Warminster. A global personal-injury settlement is anticipated in the 2026-2027 window after the second bellwether round. Separately, 3M's $10.3 billion PFAS water-utility settlement (finalized 2023) does not cover individual injury claims.

~15,000
Personal injury cases pending in MDL 2873 (April 2026)
U.S. District Court, D.S.C.
28
Cases in second bellwether pool (drinking-water exposure)
MDL 2873 Case Management Order No. 35
$10.3B
3M water-utility settlement (does NOT cover personal injury claims)
3M Company, 2023
100%
Contingency basis - no upfront fees
Contingency basis
⏰ Bellwether Proceedings Moving Now: With the October 2025 bellwether vacated and a second pool of 28 drinking-water-exposure cases now selected, MDL 2873 is progressing toward a potential global personal-injury settlement in 2026-2027. State statutes of limitations for AFFF cancer claims still apply independently and vary. We recommend requesting a case review promptly to confirm your filing deadline.

Cancers Associated with AFFF/PFAS Exposure

Studies have examined associations between PFAS exposure and various cancers. Conditions most prominently featured in AFFF litigation include:

You May Qualify If Diagnosed With:

  • Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma)
  • Testicular cancer
  • Bladder cancer
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Prostate cancer (in some claims)

Who Was Exposed to AFFF?

AFFF exposure was widespread across military and civilian sectors: military firefighters (Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Coast Guard) who conducted fire suppression training using AFFF; military personnel whose base drinking water was contaminated; airport firefighters at commercial and military airports; industrial and refinery firefighters; and civilians near military installations whose municipal water was contaminated by AFFF runoff.

Veterans and AFFF Claims

Many veterans who were exposed to AFFF during their military service have already filed VA disability claims - but receiving VA benefits does not prevent you from also pursuing a civil lawsuit against AFFF manufacturers. These are separate legal processes, and an attorney can advise you on how they interact and whether a civil claim is appropriate for your situation.

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Why Claimants Choose UnitedClaimsBureau

UCB connects claimants with experienced mass tort attorneys at no upfront cost. Here is what to expect when you work with us.

Veterans & Civilian Firefighters

We have experience connecting both military veterans and civilian firefighters with attorneys who understand AFFF exposure claims and the specific documentation needed to support them.

MDL-Experienced Attorneys

The AFFF MDL is one of the largest in federal history. Attorneys in our network have experience navigating these complex proceedings and advocating effectively for individual claimants.

Contingency Representation

Attorneys in our network work on a contingency fee basis. Your financial situation is never a barrier to pursuing your rights.

We Handle the Details

From military records requests to medical documentation to expert witnesses - attorneys in our network manage the legal work so you can focus on your health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AFFF and why is it dangerous?
AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) is a firefighting suppressant used by the military and at airports and industrial facilities since the 1960s. AFFF contains PFAS - chemicals that do not break down in the environment or the body and have been associated with cancer in numerous studies. Exposure occurred through skin contact, inhalation, and contamination of drinking water at and near military bases and airports where AFFF was used.
Who qualifies to file an AFFF lawsuit?
Individuals who may qualify include military firefighters and personnel stationed at bases where AFFF was used; civilian airport and industrial firefighters who used AFFF; and civilians who lived near installations where AFFF contaminated local water. A qualifying claim typically requires documented exposure plus a diagnosis of a qualifying cancer.
What cancers are associated with AFFF exposure?
Cancers most prominently associated with PFAS/AFFF exposure in studies and litigation include kidney cancer, testicular cancer, bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and thyroid cancer. References to association reflect scientific studies and litigation allegations, not established medical conclusions.
Is there an AFFF MDL or class action?
Yes. Federal MDL 2873 in the District of South Carolina consolidates AFFF lawsuits. The personal injury track has approximately 15,000 cases pending as of April 2026 (earlier 270,000+ figures combined water-utility claims with personal injury claims). Water utility claims have largely been resolved through settlements with 3M (~$10.3 billion in 2023) and DuPont/Chemours/Corteva (~$1.185 billion); those settlements do not cover individual personal injury claims. The October 2025 personal injury bellwether trial was vacated and a new pool of 28 drinking-water-exposure cases is being prepared. Personal injury claims remain active and new claimants are still being accepted.
I'm a veteran - can I still sue even though I received VA benefits?
Receiving VA benefits generally does not prevent you from filing a civil lawsuit. VA disability compensation and a civil lawsuit are separate legal processes. However, there may be coordination-of-benefits issues depending on your state and case specifics. An attorney can advise you on how VA benefits may interact with a civil claim.
How long do I have to file an AFFF cancer claim?
The statute of limitations varies by state and depends on your diagnosis date and exposure history. MDL cases have their own procedural timelines, and state deadlines can be strict. We strongly recommend requesting a case review promptly to confirm your options.
What compensation is available?
Compensation can include medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and potentially punitive damages. Amounts vary based on severity of diagnosis, extent of exposure, and other case-specific factors. Attorneys evaluate each case individually.
How do I prove I was exposed to AFFF?
Military service records, deployment history, station assignments, and MOS/rate designations can establish exposure for service members. Civilian firefighters may rely on employment records and testimony about AFFF use in training. Living near a contaminated base or airport and testing positive for PFAS in blood can also support an exposure claim. An attorney will help gather and evaluate available evidence.

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If your service or occupation exposed you to AFFF foam and you've been diagnosed with cancer, a confidential case review will tell you whether you have a claim. No pressure. No obligation.

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