Did you know that it is estimated that 110 million Americans have drinking water contaminated with per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)? PFAS are toxic substances which have been linked to multiple cancers, can persist and accumulate in the environment for a long time, and can persist and accumulate in the human body for just as long.
Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers have been representing chemical exposure victims for decades and have the experience to hold those who have contaminated the environment with negligently disposed of PFAS accountable for any injuries they have caused. Best of all, we can hold those parties responsible by obtaining you a financial recovery on a contingency fee basis; this means we will never charge you a fee until and unless we obtain financial compensation for you.
Call us at (800) 718-4658 for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been injured by PFAS chemicals, or fill out the “Do I Have A Case” form on the right.
PFAS: What Are They?
PFAS are synthetic organofluorine chemical compounds consisting of an alkyl chain attached to multiple fluorine atoms. Notable PFAS include the perfluorosulfonic acids perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), which are used as surfactants.
PFAS produce fluoropolymers when they are used in emulsion polymerization. The primary markets they are used in are stain repellants, polishes, paints and coatings. PFAS are also used in firefighting foam, firefighter gear, glide wax (used to coat the bottom of skis), nonstick coatings on cookware, waterproof clothing and cosmetics.
Sources of water and soil have been contaminated by negligent PFAS disposal, and the contamination persists for a long time. PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” since they persist in the environment for an extremely long time. This is because they are mostly made out of fluorine atoms bonded to carbon atoms, and this is one of the strongest bonds known to science.
A bill has recently been introduced in Congress intended to protect Americans against PFAS.
The contamination of water sources and soil by PFAS has made lawsuits necessary so victims of the contamination can be fairly compensated.
The Health Risks Of PFAS
PFAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may lead to the following:
- Higher cholesterol
- Liver enzyme changes
- Infant birth rate decreases
- Lessened vaccine responses in children
- Higher risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in pregnant women
- Higher risk of testicular cancer
PFAS have also been linked with immune system suppression and changes in hormones.
In addition, a new study has linked PFAS exposure with melanoma, ovarian cancer and uterine cancer in women.
Call us at (800) 718-4658 if you or a loved one has experienced any of the above injuries and you think it might be due to exposure to or contamination with PFAS. You may be eligible for financial compensation for your injuries.
The Health And Environmental Risks Of PFAS: A Timeline
PFAS manufacturers should be held accountable for manufacturing and selling products that they, for decades, knew or should have known were dangerous. PFAS manufacturers have long known that PFAS are dangerous and toxic and can persist in the environment and human body for a long time:
1950: A study by PFAS manufacturer 3M done on mice finds that PFAS accumulates in blood.
1956: A study done by Stanford University finds that PFAS can bind to human blood proteins.
1961: A DuPont toxicologist warned that rat and rabbit livers are enlarged by PFAS.
1963: PFAS are considered toxic by a 3M technical manual.
1965: A study done by DuPont on rats finds increased spleen size and liver damage.
1966: A DuPont petition to use PFAS is rejected by the FDA due to liver studies.
1966: A 3M study discovers that “acute oral toxicity” is caused in rats by PFAS.
1970: 3M warns a magazine that PFAS are toxic to fish.
1970: DuPont scientists note that PFAS are “highly toxic when inhaled.”
1973: DuPont discovers no safe level of exposure to PFAS in food packaging exists.
1975: 3M is told PFAS can build up in human blood.
1975: DuPont tells 3M about “toxic effects” related to PFAS in food packaging.
1977: 3M finds that PFOS is “more toxic than anticipated.”
1978: 3M finds that PFOS and PFOA “should be regarded as toxic.”
1981: A 3M toxicology study finds that PFAS damages the eyes of developing animal fetuses.
1983: 3M is concerned about PFAS potentially harming the immune system.
1984: DuPont finds PFAS in Little Hocking, Ohio’s tap water without alerting the corresponding utility.
1987: 3M finds tumors in an animal study on PFOA.
1989: 3M discovers elevated cancer rates in workers exposed to PFAS.
1990: A 3M study links exposure to PFOA with testicular cancer.
1992: A former 3M scientist discovers an elevated risk for dying of prostate cancer in workers exposed to PFOA.
1995: A DuPont scientist is concerned about the long-term health effects of PFAS “considering they all appear to have long biological half-lives.”
1997: DuPont discovers elevated cancer rates in workers at their Parkersburg plant, where PFOA was used.
1998: A 3M scientist concludes there is a “significant risk of harm” to the environment regarding PFOS, and that it can move through the food chain.
1998: 3M gives the EPA evidence that PFAS can accumulate in blood.
1998: A study 3M did on animals found that PFAS exposure led to liver damage.
1999: A 3M scientist refers to PFOS as “the most insidious pollutant since PCB,” adding that “it is probably more damaging than PCB because it does not degrade.”
2000: A study 3M did on animals found that PFOS exposure led to liver damage.
3M And PFAS
Lawsuits claim 3M has known since the 1950s that:
- PFAS are toxic
- PFAS can accumulate in humans and animals
Lawsuits claim 3M has known since the 1960s that PFAS do not easily degrade in the environment, and that PFAS manufacturing plant wastes dumped in landfills can leach into groundwater. Lawsuits claim an internal 3M memo from 1960 noted that these wastes would “eventually reach the water table and pollute domestic wells.”
Lawsuits also claim 3M has engaged in a policy of science manipulation in order to cover up the dangers of PFAS. 3M, according to lawsuits, provided grant money to researchers in exchange for the privilege of reviewing and editing scientific papers about PFAS, and seeking control over which studies were published and which studies were not.
Lawsuits claim Professor John Giesy, who worked on behalf of 3M to buy favors from scientists, said in emails he was careful to ensure there was “no paper trail to 3M” and that he sought to keep “bad” PFAS papers out of scientific literature because they “can be a large obstacle to refute” in “litigation situations.”
What Is AFFF?
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is a firefighting foam used to suppress fires. AFFF often contains PFAS such as PFOA or PFOS. The PFAS in AFFF persist in the environment for a long time and can contaminate water sources.
The PFAS in AFFF may cause adverse health effects such as kidney, testicular, pancreatic, breast, liver or prostate cancer.
How Can I Protect Myself From PFAS?
PFAS exposure, outside of occupational exposure, typically comes from drinking water. Therefore, making sure your drinking water sources are safe is the best thing you can do to protect yourself from PFAS.
An EPA-approved lab testing process can help make sure your water is safe. Reverse osmosis filters can help remove PFAS from water.
Older, nonstick or water-repellent products can be sources of PFAS, especially older, damaged nonstick cooking surfaces, so avoiding these products can reduce your exposure to PFAS.
How Long Can PFAS Lawsuits Last?
There is no standard, “normal” amount of time for a PFAS lawsuit to take. These cases can be complex and take months to years to be completed.
These cases have statute of limitations issues, as well, meaning filing deadlines, so if you or a loved one was injured by PFAS contamination, you should call us right away at (800) 718-4658 for a free consultation on how we can help you preserve your legal rights.
How Much Is My PFAS Lawsuit Worth?
There is no standard, “normal” value attached to a PFAS lawsuit. Many factors influence the size of any recovery in a PFAS lawsuit, including:
- How badly you are injured
- State laws
- How negligent the at fault party is
- The skill and experience of your lawyer
The lawyers at Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers have been representing toxic exposure victims since 1990. We have the experience and skill to obtain the best possible recovery for your injuries.
What Companies Have Been Linked To PFAS Contamination?
Numerous companies have been linked to or sued over PFAS contamination, including:
- 3M
- AAA Emergency Supply
- AGC Chemicals
- Amerex
- Angus Fire
- The Ansul Company
- Archroma Management
- Arkema
- Asahi
- BASF
- Buckeye Fire Equipment Company
- Carrier Global
- Chemdesign
- Chemguard
- Chemicals Americas
- Chemicals Inc.
- Chubb Fire
- CIBA
- Clariant
- Corteva
- Daikin
- Deepwater Chemicals
- DuPont
- Dynax
- Dyneon
- Emergency One
- Kidde-Fenwal
- National Foam
- Nation Ford Chemical Company
- Solvay Solexis
- Tyco Fire Products
- United Technologies
- Williams Fire & Hazard Control
PFAS contamination has also been linked to military bases. Contact an attorney if you’ve been injured by PFAS which can be traced to these or other companies.
Where Can PFAS Be Found?
PFAS exposure, according to the CDC, can occur by:
- Drinking contaminated water
- Using products such as water-repellant clothing, stain-resistant carpeting or nonstick cookware
- Eating food packaged in material containing PFAS
- Inadvertently swallowing dust or soil contaminated with PFAS
- Eating fish caught in water with PFAS contamination, especially PFOS contamination
Other products which can contain PFAS, according to the CDC, include:
- Grease-resistant candy wrappers, pizza boxes, microwave popcorn bags, fast food containers, fast food wrappers, and paper
- Upholstery and other fabrics which have been made stain-resistant
- Cleaning products
- Personal care products such as shampoo, dental floss, nail polish and eye makeup
- Paints, sealants and varnishes
Older products may pose greater risks than newer products in general, as many companies eventually stopped using PFAS or replaced them with different chemicals.
Where Is PFAS Contamination Happening?
Military bases, wastewater treatment plants, and manufacturing plants have been found to be PFAS contamination sources. Communities in the vicinity of these places can suffer PFAS contamination injuries since PFAS can contaminate drinking water a long ways from their source as they don’t break down readily.
Environmental Working Group has published a helpful interactive map illustrating locations of PFAS contamination in the United States:
The map shows that heavily contaminated states include:
- California
- Colorado
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Rhode Island
What Can Money Be Recovered For In A PFAS Lawsuit?
A PFAS lawsuit can help those who have been injured by PFAS contamination recover damages for many things, including but not limited to:
- Past, present and future medical bills
- Loss of wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Various costs which worker’s compensation and insurance won’t cover
- Wrongful death
What Injuries Can I Recover Compensation For?
Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers is helping PFAS victims recover financial compensation for:
- Thyroid cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Liver cancer
- Breast cancer
How Can A Lawyer Help Me In A PFAS Lawsuit?
First off, you will never obtain a fair recovery for your injuries without a lawyer. The other side won’t respect you without a lawyer so they won’t offer you a fair settlement if you don’t have a lawyer. They will, instead, dare you to take them to court, since they know you can’t beat their expensive corporate lawyers without a lawyer of your own.
Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers have been taking on big corporations since 1990. Insurance companies, big corporations and their lawyers fear Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers. They know we can help you obtain the largest possible settlement by:
- Hiring the best experts for testimony
- Interviewing witnesses
- Gathering and analyzing evidence
- Getting all the right statements and documents ready for trial
- Formulating an airtight legal strategy
- Negotiating for the largest possible recovery
PFAS lawsuits can often take the form of class action or mass tort filings, and it’s critical to have a lawyer to guide you these complex legal processes.
Our only fee is a percentage of your recovery and we don’t charge a fee unless and until we obtain financial compensation for you. That is our no fee promise.
Call us at (800) 718-4658 if you or a loved one was injured by PFAS contamination. You can also chat with our live chat or email us at info@personalinjurylawcal.com. You may be eligible for financial compensation in a PFAS lawsuit.
