Individuals diagnosed with cancer or another serious health condition after documented exposure to PFAS-contaminated water or another identifiable source may qualify to file a PFAS lawsuit.
Nearly all Americans have measurable PFAS in their blood according to the CDC. If you were diagnosed with a medical condition associated with PFAS, call our experienced California personal injury lawyers for a FREE consultation at (800) 718-4658.
PFAS Lawsuits: Key Takeaways
- New PFAS lawsuits are being filed nationwide, including a recent New Jersey federal case against DuPont. Plaintiffs allege that they suffered serious health conditions related to exposure to PFAS.
- Individuals with a qualifying cancer or health condition linked to PFAS exposure may be able to file a personal injury claim. Examples of qualifying conditions include but are not limited to breast cancer, thyroid disease, birth defects and ulcerative colitis.
- A North Carolina personal injury case against Chemours involving thousands of plaintiffs settled out of court in July 2026. This settlement demonstrates that manufacturers are paying to resolve individual harm claims related to PFAS exposure.
- Deadlines apply. Speaking with an attorney early protects your right to compensation and helps you determine when you need to file.
Why PFAS Victims Trust Our Lawyers
- Our California hazardous exposure lawyers have represented complex injury cases for clients since 1990, handling some of their most challenging legal matters on their behalf.
- Since we operate on a contingency fee basis, you will owe us no legal fee unless and until we win your case, helping to protect your best interests during a financially vulnerable time.
- We offer reliable communication, with frequent case updates and 24/7 availability at a stressful time when personal injury victims need it most.
- Our high-stakes litigation team has the legal experience and leverage needed to represent you for even the most complex PFAS lawsuits.
- While most cases settle out of court, our trial-ready representation ensures that your case is ready to go to court when other firms may not be fully prepared for trials.
- Our team of personal injury lawyers has recovered over $750 million for injury victims, demonstrating our ability to achieve meaningful, high-value results for our clients across a wide range of personal injury and hazardous exposure cases.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. All cases are unique and results depend on cases’ specific facts.
Table of Contents
- What Are PFAS and How Do They Cause Cancer?
- Who Qualifies to File a PFAS Lawsuit?
- Latest PFAS Lawsuit Filings and Case Updates
- Major PFAS Settlements Explained
- What Companies Are Being Sued Over PFAS Contamination?
- Where Is PFAS Contamination Happening?
- What Is the Average Settlement for a PFAS Lawsuit?
- When to Contact a PFAS Attorney
- FAQs
What Are PFAS and How Do They Cause Cancer?
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, or PFAS, are synthetic “forever chemicals” that persist in water, soil and the human body. The two most common types are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). These chemicals don’t break down over time and build up in the human body with each new exposure. PFAS have been used in both consumer and industrial products and processes worldwide since the 1940s. Some major sources and activities leading to exposure can include the following:
- Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF): This substance is used to attack flammable liquid pool fires and contains PFAS.
- Landfill Runoff: Landfill runoff often contains scientifically measurable amounts of PFAS.
- Manufacturing Plants: Manufacturers of electronics, paper products, textiles and other goods may produce or use PFAS as part of their manufacturing processes.
- Industrial Dumping: Products created with PFAS may be dumped in landfills, which can cause the leaching of these chemicals into the environment over time.
- Soil or Dust: Breathing in soil or dust contaminated with PFAS can cause exposure.
- Food and Water: PFAS can enter drinking water and accumulate over decades before illness appears. Regulators now recognize the danger of PFAS exposure in the drinking supply; the EPA currently limits PFOA and PFOS in drinking water to four parts per trillion.
Recent peer-reviewed research has suggested that ongoing exposure to PFAS may contribute to cancer in human beings, such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer and liver cancer. Researchers are continuing to study how PFAS exposure may contribute to cancer, including its potential effects on gene expression, cell signaling and the way the body processes fatty acids.
Who Qualifies to File a PFAS Lawsuit?
Individuals diagnosed with a qualifying condition after documented PFAS exposure may qualify to file a hazardous exposure lawsuit. Qualifying diagnoses for a PFAS personal injury claim may include the following:
- Testicular Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer and Thyroid Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Birth Defects and Developmental Delays
- Newborn Death
Exposure sources that commonly qualify include living near a contaminated site, working with AFFF or using an affected water supply. Our California personal injury law firm represents individuals and families with a qualifying condition after documented PFAS exposure, not municipalities or water agencies. A documented diagnosis and proof of your exposure timeline are key qualifying factors for filing a PFAS cancer lawsuit or personal injury suit. A PFAS attorney can review your diagnosis, exposure history and supporting records to determine whether you may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim.
Latest PFAS Lawsuit Filings and Case Updates
As litigation and the understanding of PFAS exposure dangers grow, individual PFAS injury cases continue to be filed. These PFAS lawsuit updates can help you understand the direction that PFAS legal action is taking:
One recently filed case is Nelson v. EI Du Pont de Nemours and Company, which was filed in New Jersey federal court. The plaintiffs in this case allege that they suffered serious health conditions related to exposure to PFAS. This suit adds to the growing number of PFAS injury lawsuits filed against DuPont.
Another example is the consolidated North Carolina action against Chemours and DuPont. More than 2,600 plaintiffs sued Chemours and DuPont over Cape Fear River and Fayetteville Works contamination. This case settled out of court in July 2026. A growing number of filings and settlements signals that PFAS injuries are receiving increased legal attention. Eligible victims may have options for pursuing compensation.
Major PFAS Settlements Explained
Manufacturers have already paid billions of dollars to resolve PFAS claims and class action lawsuits.
New Jersey PFAS settlement: In 2025, DuPont, Corteva and Chemours agreed to resolve claims involving PFAS contamination tied to the Chambers Works, Parlin, Pompton Lakes and Repauno sites. The agreements totaled $875 million.
Public water system settlements: The AFFF public water system settlements involving 3M, DuPont and related companies were established under MDL 2873 to resolve claims involving PFAS contamination in public drinking water systems. Combined compensation from these agreements exceeds $14 billion.
Chemours federal settlement: In June 2026, Chemours agreed to a $450 million PFAS pollution settlement with the EPA, Department of Justice and West Virginia regulators. The agreement included more than $337 million in injunctive relief and a $90 million mitigation program. Federal regulators alleged that Chemours released PFAS into rivers across three states, and the EPA described the agreement as the first comprehensive federal settlement with a major PFAS manufacturer.
As research continues to strengthen the understanding of the health risks associated with PFAS exposure, additional manufacturers may face legal claims and future settlements. However, settlement funds paid to water utilities or government agencies do not directly compensate individuals who develop PFAS-related illnesses.
What Does a Municipal PFAS Settlement Mean for Nearby Residents?
A settlement with a city, water provider or regulator over PFAS contamination does not resolve an individual’s personal injury claim. These settlements are intended to address community-wide PFAS contamination, funding cleanup and treatment of public water systems and other affected public resources. These actions can be very beneficial for the well-being of local residents who may have been affected by such contamination. However, individuals in communities where a municipal or federal PFAS settlement occurred may still be able to file for PFAS water contamination lawsuits. Individual personal injury claims are generally unaffected by municipal settlements. A personal injury lawyer can help you determine if you may be eligible to file a suit.
What Companies Are Being Sued Over PFAS Contamination?
As the potential dangers of PFAS exposure come to light, more companies are facing lawsuits to account for the harm their use of PFAS may have brought about. Some companies appear in numerous PFAS lawsuits that are currently being filed around the country. In the state of New York, DuPont, Corteva, 3M, Chemours and EIDP are all facing legal action from New York attorney general Letitia James for their use of PFAS in consumer products. 2,600 plaintiffs in North Carolina have sued Chemours and DuPont for releasing PFAS into the Cape Fear River and the air, water and soil surrounding it. In a Wisconsin settlement, Tyco Fire Products, a subsidiary of Johnson Controls, agreed to pay a total of $20 million in combined property damage and personal injury claims. The manufacturer included PFAS in their AFFF products without disclosure, allegedly leading to PFAS-contaminated water and soil in some areas around the state.
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 Is the Average Settlement for a PFAS Lawsuit?
While there is no guarantee of receiving a specific settlement amount for any personal injury lawsuit, many PFAS cases fall somewhere between $150k to $400k, with some cases seeing even higher amounts. A personal injury attorney can help you determine what factors may affect your suit and what approach might be best for your particular case. Factors that can impact your claim amount may include the following:
- Medical Condition Severity: More severe, complex or lengthy injuries or medical conditions, such as cancer, may result in higher compensation.
- Medical Costs: Higher or longer-term medical costs may affect the value of your claim.
- Proof of Contamination: Strong evidence connecting your health condition to PFAS exposure may help support your claim. This could include proof that you lived near a contamination site or records documenting another identifiable source of exposure.
- Defendants Involved: The defendants involved and their potential liability may affect the amount of compensation available.
- Length of Exposure: Longer periods of PFAS exposure may affect the value of a claim.
When to Contact a PFAS Attorney
The outcome of your PFAS lawsuit depends heavily on the specific details of your injury, medical condition and type of exposure. A PFAS attorney in California can help you understand your potential legal options based on the facts of your case.
Contact us at (800) 718-4658 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation from a personal injury lawyer. Our experienced and dedicated attorneys can help you figure out a course of action for your potential legal case.
The outcome of your PFAS lawsuit depends heavily on the specific details of your injury, medical condition and type of exposure. A PFAS attorney in California can help you understand your potential legal options based on the facts of your case. Contact us at (800) 718-4658 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation. Our experienced and dedicated attorneys can help you determine an appropriate course of action for your potential legal claim.
FAQs
How Do I Know if My Cancer Is Linked to PFAS Exposure?
Scientific research has linked exposure to certain PFAS chemicals with an increased risk of several serious health effects, including several types of cancer. Examples include but are not limited to breast cancer, testicular cancer and pancreatic cancer. Consider the following factors when assessing the link:
- Your Exposure History: You may have been exposed to PFAS through contaminated drinking water, AFFF or even living near facilities where PFAS contamination has been identified, among other sources. The duration of the exposure may also be important.
- The Type of Cancer You Have: PFAS has been named as a potential contributor to certain cancers, such as testicular, ovarian or thyroid cancer. Exposure to PFAS plus a specific cancer diagnosis may indicate a stronger link between the two.
- Medical Records: Your medical history records may help evaluate whether PFAS exposure is a potential contributing factor to your cancer diagnosis.
Can I File a PFAS Lawsuit if I Already Received a Water Settlement Payment?
Yes. PFAS water settlements awarded to communities are generally intended to fund remediation and protect public drinking water. They do not typically prevent individuals with PFAS-related injuries from filing personal injury lawsuits to recover compensation for pain and suffering, lost income, medical bills and other compensable losses.
How Long Do I Have to File a PFAS Lawsuit in California?
CCP § 340.8 is the primary statute governing lawsuits involving injuries from toxic substance exposure, including PFAS. Under this statute, a PFAS lawsuit generally must be filed within two years of the injury or within two years after the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known the following:
- They suffered an injury,
- What physically caused it and
- Facts suggesting it may have been caused by another’s wrongful conduct.
California’s discovery rule may extend filing deadlines when injury from PFAS exposure was not immediately apparent. Discuss your potential legal options with a personal injury attorney to help determine your deadline.
