Thousands of firefighters, military service members, airport workers and residents near contaminated sites are suing the makers of AFFF firefighting foam, claiming that PFAS chemicals in the foam caused cancer and other illnesses. The federal cases are combined in a multidistrict litigation in South Carolina. Large settlements have been reached with public water systems, but as of mid 2026, no global settlement of personal injury claims had been announced, and personal injury trials had not yet started.
If you were exposed to firefighting foam and developed kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease or another covered illness, here is what you need to know.
Last updated: October 2026, based on case information available through mid 2026. Check with a lawyer for the latest developments.
What Is AFFF?
AFFF stands for aqueous film forming foam. It has been used for decades to put out fuel fires at military bases, airports, refineries and fire departments. AFFF works well on flammable liquid fires because it spreads a film over the fuel. It contains PFAS, a group of manmade chemicals often called “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly in the environment and in the human body.
Firefighters may have been exposed during training, on actual fires and through contaminated gear. Communities near bases and airports may have been exposed through contaminated drinking water.
Why People Are Suing
The lawsuits claim that manufacturers knew PFAS could be harmful but continued making and selling AFFF without adequate warnings. Research has linked certain PFAS to health problems, including some cancers. Defendants include major chemical and foam manufacturers such as 3M, DuPont and related companies, among others.
Illnesses in the Litigation
The court has identified certain injuries for the personal injury track. Based on case management orders, they include:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Liver cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Ulcerative colitis
Some law firms also review claims involving other cancers, but the injuries above have been the main focus of the federal personal injury cases.
Where the Litigation Stands
The federal MDL
Federal AFFF cases are consolidated in MDL 2873 in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, before Judge Richard Gergel. The MDL includes cases from water providers, states and individuals with personal injuries. Personal injury filings grew sharply, with reports of more than 23,000 filed claims by mid 2026.
Water provider settlements
Major settlements have been reached with public water systems over contamination, including 3M’s agreement to pay about $10.3 billion over 13 years and a separate agreement by DuPont and related companies worth about $1.185 billion. These settlements cover water system cleanup claims, not personal injury claims.
Personal injury bellwethers
The first personal injury bellwether trial, focused on kidney cancer, was set for October 2025. The judge urged the parties to settle personal injury claims, and that trial date was later vacated. As of mid 2026, no new personal injury trial date had been announced, and no global personal injury settlement had been reached.
How PFAS Affect the Body
PFAS can build up in the blood and stay there for years. Studies have associated certain PFAS, especially PFOA and PFOS, with effects on the immune system, liver, thyroid and cholesterol, as well as certain cancers. Firefighters often have higher PFAS blood levels than the general public, likely because of foam and gear exposure. Blood tests for PFAS are available, and some health agencies have published guidance for doctors on how to interpret results and monitor exposed patients. A blood test alone doesn’t prove a claim, but it can help document exposure.
Which Jobs Had the Most Exposure
Some groups were exposed more heavily than others:
- Military firefighters at Air Force, Navy and Army bases, where AFFF was used in large quantities for training and aircraft fires
- Airport aircraft rescue and firefighting crews, who were required to train with foam for many years
- Municipal firefighters, especially those who responded to fuel fires or trained with foam
- Industrial firefighters at refineries, chemical plants and fuel storage sites
- Foam manufacturing and handling workers
- Residents of communities whose drinking water was contaminated by nearby bases, airports or training areas
The more frequent and longer the exposure, the stronger a claim generally is.
What Happens After You Contact a Lawyer
A typical intake process involves a screening call about your exposure and diagnosis, a request for medical records and employment or service records, and an agreement on fees. If your claim fits the litigation, the lawyer files it in the MDL or another appropriate court. You may need to complete a detailed questionnaire about your work history, residence history and health. After that, your case generally waits while the court handles shared issues and any settlement process develops.
State Court and Other PFAS Cases
Not every PFAS case is in the federal MDL. Some states and individuals have brought cases in state courts, and several state attorneys general have sued over contamination. Separate PFAS lawsuits involve consumer products, carpet manufacturing, water contamination near chemical plants and firefighter gear. If your exposure didn’t come from AFFF, a different case may still apply.
Who May Qualify
People who may qualify generally:
- Were exposed to AFFF through work as firefighters, military firefighters, airport crash rescue workers, refinery or chemical plant workers, or similar jobs
- Or lived near a site where AFFF contaminated drinking water, such as some military bases and airports
- Were diagnosed with one of the covered illnesses
- Can document their exposure and diagnosis
Proving Exposure
Exposure evidence may include:
- Employment records showing work as a firefighter or in related roles
- Military service records showing assignments involving firefighting or bases where AFFF was used
- Training records showing foam use
- Statements from coworkers about how often foam was used
- Records showing residence near a contaminated site and water testing results
Military Members and Veterans
Many military bases used AFFF extensively. Service members generally can’t sue the federal government for injuries related to military service, but they can sue the private manufacturers. Veterans may also be eligible for VA benefits for certain conditions, which is a separate process from the lawsuit.
Firefighter Turnout Gear
Separate lawsuits involve PFAS in firefighter protective gear, known as turnout gear. Some firefighters have claims involving both AFFF and gear. If you are a firefighter, mention all potential exposures to your lawyer.
What Compensation Could Look Like
Without a global settlement, no one can say what personal injury claims will pay. Law firms have published estimates for different tiers of injuries, but those are projections, not actual settlement figures. If a global settlement is reached, it would likely use a tiered system based on the type of illness, severity, age and strength of exposure evidence.
Watch the Statute of Limitations
State deadlines for toxic exposure claims vary. Many states start the clock when you knew or should have known your illness might be linked to the exposure. Because public awareness of PFAS has grown quickly, it is wise to talk to a lawyer promptly rather than wait for a settlement announcement.
Reducing Your Exposure Today
Many fire departments have phased out PFAS based foams, and federal law required the military to transition away from AFFF. If your community’s water has had PFAS problems, check your water utility’s reports. The EPA set national drinking water limits for certain PFAS in 2024, though parts of that rule and its deadlines have since been revisited. Home water filters certified to reduce PFAS can also help.
A Quick Example
Michael served for 22 years as a firefighter at a regional airport, regularly using AFFF in training drills and fuel fires. At 58, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer and had part of a kidney removed. His employment records confirm his role, and former coworkers can describe how often foam was used. His case fits the profile of claims in the AFFF litigation: long term occupational exposure and a covered cancer.
Family Members and Wrongful Death Claims
If a loved one died from a covered cancer after AFFF exposure, the family or estate may be able to bring a wrongful death or survival claim. Gather their work or service records, medical records and death certificate, and talk to a lawyer about your state’s rules and deadlines. Wrongful death deadlines often start from the date of death rather than the date of diagnosis.
How Long These Cases Take
Toxic exposure litigation tends to move slowly. The AFFF MDL was created in 2018, focused first on water system claims and only later moved toward personal injury trials. Anyone filing now should expect the process to take time. Filing does, however, preserve your right to participate if a settlement is reached and protects you from missing your state’s deadline.
Staying Healthy While the Case Continues
If you were heavily exposed, talk to your doctor about appropriate screening and monitoring. Some medical organizations have issued guidance suggesting extra attention to cholesterol, thyroid function and certain cancers for people with high PFAS exposure. Firefighter unions and associations also offer health resources and cancer screening programs. Taking care of your health and keeping records of every appointment serves both your wellbeing and any future claim.
Questions to Ask a Lawyer
- Does my diagnosis fit the injuries in the litigation?
- What exposure records do you need from me?
- How will my case be filed, and what happens if there is a settlement?
- What is my state’s deadline?
- Do I also have a turnout gear claim?
- What is your fee and how are costs handled?
What to Do Next
If you were exposed to firefighting foam and developed a covered illness, start gathering your employment or military records and medical records now. Write down where and how often you used AFFF and the names of people who worked with you. Then get a free case review from a lawyer handling AFFF claims and ask about your filing deadline.
Sources
- U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina: AFFF MDL 2873
- U.S. EPA: PFAS Information
- ATSDR: PFAS and Your Health
- Miller and Zois: Firefighting Foam Lawsuit Updates
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different, so speak with a licensed attorney in your state about your own situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What records prove I used AFFF?
Employment or military records, training logs and coworker statements are commonly used to show foam exposure.
Is the AFFF lawsuit a class action?
Personal injury claims are individual cases grouped in an MDL, not a single class action, though water system claims were resolved through class settlements.
Are fire departments still using AFFF?
Many have phased it out, and federal law required the military to move away from PFAS foam. Some industrial uses have continued longer.
Does it cost money to file an AFFF claim?
Most lawyers handling these cases work on contingency, so there is usually no upfront cost.
Can I file if my spouse died from kidney cancer after foam exposure?
Families and estates may be able to bring wrongful death claims. Deadlines vary by state, so speak with a lawyer soon.
Should I get a PFAS blood test?
It can help document exposure, though it doesn’t prove a claim by itself. Talk to your doctor about whether testing makes sense for you.
Is there an AFFF personal injury settlement?
Not as of mid 2026. Large settlements have resolved water system claims, but no global personal injury settlement had been announced.
What cancers are covered in the AFFF lawsuit?
The federal personal injury track has focused on kidney, testicular, thyroid and liver cancer, plus thyroid disease and ulcerative colitis.
Can military veterans file an AFFF lawsuit?
Yes, against private manufacturers. Veterans may also qualify for VA benefits through a separate process.
Do I qualify if I lived near a military base?
Possibly, if your drinking water was contaminated with PFAS from AFFF and you developed a covered illness.
How much will AFFF lawsuits pay?
There are no settlement amounts for personal injury claims yet. Any figures online are estimates.
What is PFAS?
PFAS are manmade chemicals that break down very slowly. Some have been linked to health problems, including certain cancers.
