Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Exposure Lawsuit

Firefighters risk their lives to protect communities, but many now face additional danger from a firefighting product used throughout their careers.

For decades, Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) has been relied on to put out fuel fires, yet it is now tied to toxic exposure, groundwater contamination, and cancer.

The Lyon Firm represents individuals and communities nationwide in AFFF lawsuit litigation against negligent manufacturers for the harm linked to foam exposure.

If you are facing health issues or property damage connected to firefighting foam, contact The Lyon Firm at (513) 381-2333 or reach out online for a free case review. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients nationwide.

I’m incredibly grateful to Joseph Lyon and The Lyon Firm. From the start, Joseph was honest, clear, and always professional. He kept me informed and made sure I understood every step. I felt supported and knew I was in good hands. His dedication and care truly made a difference. I couldn’t have asked for better representation.”

— Issa D., Client.

What Is Firefighting Foam (AFFF)?

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) has been used for decades to extinguish jet fuel and petroleum fires. The foam creates a chemical blanket that cuts oxygen from the flames, making it highly effective in high-intensity situations.

3M worked with the U.S. Navy to develop PFAS-based firefighting foam and went on to become one of the largest AFFF manufacturers in the country. Over time, AFFF became the standard for firefighters, the military, airports, and industrial sites.

Studies now link its use to groundwater contamination, property damage, and serious health risks. AFFF products contained toxic perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), chemicals that remain in the environment for decades and spread quickly once released.

How AFFF Exposure Is Linked to Cancer

PFOS and PFOA, the toxic chemicals found in firefighting foam, do not break down easily and can remain in the environment for decades. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified PFAS as “emerging contaminants”, meaning they are likely dangerous to human health.

Studies show these compounds can build up in the human body and stay there for years.

Exposure has been linked to cancers such as:

• Kidney (renal) cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Prostate cancer
• Liver cancer
• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer

Watch: The Hidden Dangers in Firefighting Foam

The U.S. Fire Administration produced this short video to explain how chemicals in firefighting foam put firefighters and communities at risk. It also highlights steps to reduce AFFF exposure and improve safety practices.

Watch the video here:

How Do I Know If I Was Exposed to AFFF?

Many firefighters, military personnel, and airport workers came into contact with AFFF through training drills or while putting out fuel fires. Communities near bases, airports, or industrial sites may also have been exposed through contaminated groundwater.

Because PFAS chemicals stay in the body for years, symptoms may not appear immediately. Health issues tied to AFFF exposure include:

• Difficulty breathing or chronic cough,
• Unexplained weight loss,
• Changes in liver function,
• High cholesterol or thyroid problems,
• Reproductive or fertility issues, or
• Cancer diagnoses, including kidney, testicular, prostate, and others.

If you or a loved one served in a role that used firefighting foam or lived near a contaminated site, medical monitoring is important. Even when exposure happened years ago, it may still be possible to connect current illnesses to past contact with AFFF.

Firefighters who worked with aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) face serious health risks linked to PFAS chemicals.

An experienced AFFF lawyer can help you explore your legal options and pursue compensation for the pain you’ve suffered. Call The Lyon Firm at (513) 381-2333 today or contact us online.

AFFF Lawsuits

Across the country, toxic PFOS and PFOA in AFFF have polluted soil and water supplies, sparking lawsuits against the companies that produced and distributed the foam.

At Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, two drinking water wells were shut down after suspected AFFF contamination. Broader testing revealed additional risks, leading the base to discontinue 3M AFFF products.

Responding to litigation and safety concerns, the U.S. Air Force has also replaced firefighting foams in vehicles and older stockpiles with newer formulations that limit or remove PFAS compounds. Beyond property damage, firefighters and nearby residents have reported chemical burns, respiratory issues, and long-term illnesses, reinforcing the need for accountability.

How a Firefighting Foam Lawsuit Works

AFFF lawsuits bring claims against manufacturers that sold firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals without adequate warnings. To qualify, individuals generally need:

• A history of direct exposure to AFFF through firefighting, military service, or work at airports and industrial sites.
  
• A diagnosis of a related illness, such as kidney or testicular cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid disease, or other PFAS-linked conditions.
  
• Evidence connecting their exposure to the illness, which may include employment records, medical documentation, or proof of residence near a contaminated site.

Once eligibility is established, attorneys investigate AFFF exposure history, gather medical and occupational records, and file claims in state or federal courts. Many cases are consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL), allowing victims nationwide to share resources while pursuing individual compensation.

Firefighters and military personnel were never told the full truth about the chemicals they handled, and now they are paying the price with their health. These lawsuits are about holding manufacturers accountable and making sure families get the support they need.

Joe Lyon,
Founding Partner of the Lyon Firm

Compensation Through an AFFF Lawsuit

An AFFF lawsuit can provide financial recovery for the costs linked to toxic exposure. Compensation may cover:

• Medical treatment and ongoing care,
• Lost wages or reduced earning capacity,
• Pain and suffering,
• Loss of quality of life, and
• Wrongful death damages for families.

Manufacturers have already resolved claims in PFAS cases. DuPont entered the multi-billion-dollar C-8 settlement, and Tyco Fire Products, Chemguard, and ChemDesign reached a $17.5 million class action settlement with Wisconsin residents after AFFF chemicals polluted local drinking water.

According to a Martindale-Nolo survey, injury victims with an attorney recovered nearly three times more than those who pursued claims on their own. Experienced representation is especially important in AFFF cases, where evidence may involve multiple companies and exposures reaching back decades.