AFFF Kidney Cancer Lawsuit

Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) is a firefighting suppressant used since the 1960s, creating severe health risks for those exposed.

Military bases, airports, and fire departments relied on AFFF to extinguish fuel-based fires quickly.

The connection between AFFF exposure and kidney cancer has become undeniable through decades of scientific research and internal company documents.

What is Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)?

AFFF contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as forever chemicals.

These toxic chemicals don’t break down naturally and accumulate in the human body over time.

The foam creates a barrier between fuel and oxygen, preventing fire spread.

PFAS chemicals in firefighting foams contaminate groundwater, drinking water, and human bloodstreams through skin contact and inhalation.

How PFAS Chemicals in AFFF Cause Kidney Cancer

PFAS exposure from firefighting foam affects kidney function through multiple pathways.

These forever chemicals accumulate in kidney tissue at higher concentrations than other organs.

Studies show PFAS interferes with cellular processes and damages DNA in kidney cells, causing adverse health effects over time.

The chemicals trigger oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to cancer cell development.

The National Cancer Institute found a 16% increased kidney cancer risk for every 10 ng/mL increase in blood PFOA levels.

Firefighters show PFAS blood levels 20-30 times higher than the general population.

Research confirms that prolonged exposure to PFAS increases the likelihood an individual has at developing kidney cancer.

A 2023 study revealed that firefighters face double the kidney cancer risk compared to other workers.

Scientific Evidence Linking AFFF Exposure to Kidney Cancer

Multiple peer-reviewed studies establish the connection between AFFF firefighting foam exposure and kidney cancer.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified PFOA as a likely human carcinogen based on this evidence.

A landmark study of 70,000 people near a DuPont facility found direct links between PFAS and kidney cancer.

Researchers documented a dose-response relationship, meaning higher exposure levels caused more cancer cases.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer upgraded PFOA to “possibly carcinogenic to humans” in 2024. Military studies show personnel exposed to AFFF have elevated kidney cancer rates compared to unexposed service members.

Court documents reveal manufacturers who supplied AFFF firefighting foam knew about cancer risks decades ago but failed to warn users.

Internal company studies from the 1970s showed PFAS caused tumors in laboratory animals.

The AFFF litigation continues accepting new cases as law firms including TruLaw race to file before anticipated settlement deadlines.

With 498 new AFFF firefighting foam cases added in March 2025 and 414 in April, the MDL demonstrates strong momentum.

Legal teams report they’re strategically positioning cases ahead of rumored settlement frameworks taking shape behind closed doors.

Military Personnel and AFFF Exposure

Military bases used AFFF extensively for training exercises and emergency response since the 1970s.

Service members at naval air stations, Air Force bases, and Army installations face exposure risks.

Veterans who worked in these high-risk military occupations may qualify for lawsuits:

• Aircraft rescue and firefighting specialists
• Fuel system maintenance personnel
• Hangar deck crews
• Flight line workers
• Base firefighters

Contaminated drinking water on military bases created additional exposure pathways.

The Department of Defense identified over 700 military sites with PFAS contamination exceeding safety limits.

Firefighters and First Responders

Civilian and volunteer firefighters experienced repeated AFFF exposure during their careers.

Fire departments used foam for training drills, equipment testing, and actual fire suppression.

First responders faced exposure through:

• Direct skin contact during foam application
• Inhalation of foam mist and vapors
• Contaminated firefighter turnout gear
• PFAS absorption through protective equipment

CDC studies show firefighters’ PFAS blood levels remain elevated years after retirement.

Cancer rates among firefighters exposed to AFFF exceed those using PFAS-free alternatives.

Airport Workers and Other Occupational Exposure

Airport personnel regularly encountered AFFF during mandatory FAA fire suppression system tests.

Workers at commercial airports, municipal airports, and private airfields face increased kidney cancer risks.

Other workers with potential AFFF exposure may include:

• Chemical Plant Employees: Face AFFF exposure during emergency response protocols and fire suppression system maintenance, with studies showing that workers handling foam-based systems have elevated blood levels of PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), which is associated with higher risks of developing testicular cancer and kidney disease
• Industrial Facility Firefighters: Experience repeated exposure to AFFF during both actual fire emergencies and training exercises involving petroleum and chemical fires, with research indicating they carry the highest levels of toxic PFAS chemicals in their blood compared to other occupational groups, leading to increased rates of kidney cancer typically developing within 15 years of first exposure
• Oil Refinery Workers: Encounter AFFF through proximity to fire suppression equipment and storage areas, with documented cases showing exposure during routine safety drills and emergency response scenarios, contributing to elevated risks for thyroid disease and immune system disorders due to the bioaccumulative nature of PFAS compounds
• Aircraft Maintenance Technicians: Receive AFFF exposure while cleaning and servicing airport hangars where foam discharge testing occurs regularly, with FAA-mandated fire suppression system tests creating repeated contact opportunities that have been linked to increased incidence of prostate cancer and liver dysfunction among long-term aviation workers
• Emergency Response Teams: Face concentrated AFFF exposure during hazmat incidents and fuel spill responses, with first responders experiencing both inhalation and dermal contact despite protective equipment use, leading to documented cases of multiple cancer types including bladder cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Navy Personnel and Military Firefighters: Have historically experienced the highest occupational AFFF exposure levels, with over 700 military sites in 50 states contaminated with PFAS, and service members who participated in fire suppression training exercises showing elevated rates of testicular cancer (2.22 times higher risk) and kidney cancer (1.74 times higher risk with high-level exposure)
• Airport Ground Crew and Safety Personnel: Encounter AFFF during mandatory FAA fire suppression system tests at commercial, municipal, and private airfields, with workers reporting prolonged exposure during foam cleanup operations that has been associated with thyroid disruption and metabolic disorders due to PFAS accumulation in body tissues

If you or a loved one developed kidney cancer after occupational AFFF exposure, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing an AFFF Kidney Cancer Lawsuit today.

The multidistrict litigation has reached a juncture as parties prepare for the October 2025 bellwether personal injury trial.

Judge Richard Gergel continues applying pressure for settlement, recently telling defendants to resolve cases “sooner rather than later.” With Science Day approaching on June 20, 2025, both sides are positioning for either trial or settlement negotiations.

Current AFFF MDL in South Carolina

The AFFF firefighting foam MDL (MDL 2873) consolidates over 10,391 personal injury cases in South Carolina as of June 2025. Judge Richard Gergel presides over the MDL in the United States District Court.

The federal court separated personal injury claims from water contamination cases, which already settled for $13 billion.

AFFF personal injury cases focus on cancer diagnoses and other serious health conditions.

Consolidating individual claims into an MDL provides a unified front to hold AFFF manufacturers accountable for failing to warn users of the risks associated with AFFF exposure.

Bellwether Trial Schedule for October 2025

The first personal injury bellwether trial starts October 20, 2025 (some sources indicate October 6).

Judge Gergel selected kidney cancer cases to lead the trial process.

Bellwether trials serve as test cases that help both sides evaluate claim values.

Results guide settlement negotiations for thousands of pending cases in the MDL.

The court scheduled Science Day for June 20, 2025, focusing on liver and thyroid cancer causation.

Expert witnesses will present evidence linking PFAS exposure to various cancers.

Three Kidney Cancer Cases Leading the Trial

Judge Gergel chose three kidney cancer lawsuits from Pennsylvania residents as bellwether cases.

These plaintiffs developed cancer after drinking PFAS-contaminated water near former Naval Air installations.

The selection process favored plaintiff-proposed cases over defense suggestions.

The judge picked 9 of 11 plaintiff cases while rejecting all defense proposals.

This strategic selection indicates the court’s assessment of case strength.

Strong plaintiff cases increase pressure on defendants to pursue global settlement before trial.

Scientific research continues expanding our understanding of PFAS-related cancers, with the MDL now recognizing six primary conditions.

The June 20, 2025 Science Day will examine causation evidence for liver and thyroid cancers, potentially strengthening these newer claims.

Each cancer type presents different exposure patterns and settlement values based on scientific support.

Kidney and Testicular Cancer

Kidney cancer and testicular cancer represent the strongest AFFF injury claims.

NCI research shows clear causation between PFAS exposure and these specific cancers.

Studies demonstrate PFAS accumulates in kidney and testicular tissue at dangerous levels.

The chemicals disrupt hormonal functions and cellular processes in these organs.

Male firefighters and military personnel face elevated risks for both cancer types.

Research shows 2-3 times higher rates compared to unexposed populations.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer cases linked to AFFF exposure continue growing in the MDL.

PFAS chemicals interfere with testosterone and other hormones affecting prostate health.

Veterans exposed to firefighting foam show increased prostate cancer rates.

Studies document earlier onset and more aggressive forms in exposed populations.

Liver and Thyroid Cancer

The MDL now includes liver cancer and thyroid cancer among prioritized conditions.

PFAS accumulates in liver tissue, causing cellular damage and tumor development.

Thyroid disease often precedes thyroid cancer in AFFF-exposed individuals.

Other Serious Health Conditions

Beyond cancer, AFFF exposure causes additional serious health issues qualifying for lawsuits:

• Ulcerative colitis
• Thyroid disease
• High cholesterol
• Pregnancy complications
• Immune system dysfunction
• Other serious conditions

The MDL focuses on six primary conditions but accepts cases involving other PFAS-related injuries identified by ATSDR.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation.

Our AFFF firefighting foam attorney at TruLaw is dedicated to supporting clients through the process of filing an AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit.

With extensive experience in chemical-exposure litigation, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman and our partner law firms work with industry leaders to prove how toxic PFAS chemicals in AFFF firefighting foam—and the resulting contamination of water supplies—caused you harm.

TruLaw focuses on securing financial compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, lost income, and ongoing health monitoring resulting from your AFFF exposure.

We understand the health and environmental impacts of AFFF firefighting foam on your life and provide the personalized guidance you need when seeking justice.

Meet the Lead AFFF Firefighting Foam Attorney at TruLaw

Meet our lead AFFF Firefighting Foam attorney:

• Jessica Paluch-Hoerman: As founder and managing attorney of TruLaw, Jessica brings her product-liability and personal-injury experience to a client-centered approach that prioritizes open communication and personalized attention. Through TruLaw and its partner firms, she has helped recover more than $3 billion for injured individuals across all 50 states via verdicts and negotiated settlements.

How much does hiring an AFFF firefighting foam lawyer from TruLaw cost?

At TruLaw, we believe financial concerns should never stand in the way of justice.

We operate on a contingency-fee basis—you pay legal fees only after you recover compensation.

If you or a loved one developed cancer or another serious illness after long-term exposure to AFFF firefighting foam (or PFAS-contaminated water linked to AFFF use), you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing an AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit today.

AFFF lawsuits are being filed by firefighters, military veterans, airport personnel, and others nationwide after years of repeated exposure to toxic firefighting foam (AFFF) that contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

TruLaw is currently accepting clients for the AFFF foam cancer lawsuit.

A few reasons to choose TruLaw and our network of AFFF lawyers for your AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit include:

• If We Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay: The AFFF firefighting foam lawyers at TruLaw and our partner firms work on a contingency-fee basis— we only get paid if you win.
• Expertise: We have decades of experience handling toxic-exposure cases like the AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit.
• Successful Track Record: TruLaw and our partner firms have helped clients recover billions of dollars in compensation through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

If you or a loved one developed cancer or another serious illness after long-term exposure to AFFF firefighting foam, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and learn whether you qualify for the AFFF Lawsuit today.