FAQ: How Much is the AFFF Lawsuit Going to Payout?

The amount of compensation each plaintiff receives in the AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits will depend on several key factors.

The two most important variables that will determine AFFF lawsuit settlement amounts are the duration and severity of the plaintiff’s AFFF exposure and the specific type of cancer they developed.

Duration & Severity of AFFF Exposure Impacts Payouts

Plaintiffs who had frequent, long-term occupational exposure to AFFF firefighting foam , such as firefighters who regularly used the foam, are likely to receive the highest lawsuit payouts.

Those with more limited or short-term exposures will likely fall into lower settlement tiers and receive smaller amounts.

The cumulative extent of a plaintiff’s aqueous film-forming foam exposure over time is one of the most significant factors impacting settlement values.

Regular exposure over many years puts plaintiffs at the greatest risk of developing serious AFFF-caused cancer and health conditions , increasing their lawsuit payout.

Some key factors that will impact AFFF lawsuit settlement based on exposure include:

1. Duration of occupational exposure (eg years working as a firefighter)
2. Frequency of AFFF firefighting foam usage during employment
3. Proximity to firefighting foam during use (breathing in fumes, skin exposure, etc.)
4. Use of personal protective equipment to mitigate exposure
5. Other factors that may emerge as the litigation progresses

How Cancer Type Influences AFFF Settlement Amounts

The specific type of cancer diagnosed is the other major variable affecting AFFF lawsuit settlement amounts.

Scientific evidence has most strongly linked firefighting foam cancer to:

1. Kidney cancer
2. Pancreatic cancer
3. Testicular cancer
4. Other cancers that research may link to AFFF exposure in the future

Complaintiffs with these cancer types will likely receive the highest tier payouts.

Those with prostate or other cancers less directly tied to AFFF firefighting foam MDL will receive lower settlement amounts, as well as plaintiffs with non-cancerous conditions like ulcerative colitis or thyroid disease.

While the firefighting foam lawsuits have not yet settled, based on settlement values ​​in comparable mass torts, plaintiffs in the AFFF litigation could potentially expect payouts ranging from around $20,000 for lowest-tier cases to $600,000 (or more) for the most severe top-tier cases.

Tier I AFFF Lawsuit Settlement Amounts: $300,000 to $600,000 (or more)

Complaintiffs in the top settlement tier will likely be those with the most extensive occupational exposure to AFFF firefighting foam over many years AND a diagnosis of kidney or pancreatic cancer, the malignancies most strongly associated with the PFAS chemicals in the foam.

These Tier I claims could potentially see AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit payouts ranging from $300,000 to $600,000.

Tier II AFFF Lawsuit Settlement Amounts: $100,000 to $300,000

The second tier of individual AFFF lawsuit settlements will consist of plaintiffs with significant long-term exposure and testicular cancer or other cancers closely linked to PFAS.

These Tier II claims could potentially see AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit payouts ranging from $100,000 to $300,000.

Tier III AFFF Lawsuit Settlement Amounts: $20,000 to $100,000

The lower settlement tiers will include plaintiffs with less directly related cancers, like prostate cancer, and those with more limited AFFF firefighting foam exposure.

The lowest tier may also include non-cancer conditions, like ulcerative colitis.

These Tier III claims could potentially see AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit payouts ranging from $20,000 to $100,000.

Experienced attorneys play an essential role in securing the highest possible payouts for plaintiffs in AFFF firefighting foam cases .

The right lawyer will build the strongest case for compensation by thoroughly documenting the extent of your exposure and working with experts to causally tie your firefighting foam cancer lawsuits to the PFAS in firefighting foam.

In mass tort cases like the AFFF MDL , settlement amounts are negotiated by the lead attorneys appointed to the plaintiffs’ steering committee.

These lawyers will aggressively push the defendants for a settlement structure that maximizes payouts for the injured plaintiffs.

Your own attorney will then fight to ensure you receive the highest compensation tier within that settlement based on the individual facts of your firefighting foam lawsuit .

At each stage of litigation, it is critical to have skilled counsel advocating for your interests and working to get you every dollar you deserve.

Experienced AFFF Attorneys Can Maximize Payouts

Having a skilled lawyer experienced in AFFF litigation can significantly impact your AFFF lawsuit payout.

Knowledgeable AFFF lawyers will know how to fully document the extent of your exposure and work with medical experts to demonstrate how your cancer is connected to AFFF clearly.

This builds the strongest case, placing you in the highest possible settlement tier.

Look for AFFF attorneys who have:

• Substantial experience with PFAS contamination lawsuits
• Relationships with scientific and medical experts to support your case
• A proven track record of recovering top-tier settlements and verdicts
• Positive customer reviews and testimonials
• Other qualifications that demonstrate their expertise in this area of ​​law

Why Choosing the Right AFFF Lawyer is Critical

Your choice of legal representation is one of the most important decisions affecting your AFFF settlement amount .

Look for attorneys with deep experience in PFAS contamination cases and a track record of success taking on big chemical companies like 3M and DuPont .

The right lawyer can mean the difference between a low-tier payout and a top-tier, six-figure settlement.

The AFFF lawsuit has seen several significant developments in recent months.

Most notably, in June 2023, defendant manufacturers 3M, DuPont, and others announced a settlement deal to resolve hundreds of water contamination claims filed by local governments.

This deal did not include the individual AFFF lawsuits that are still moving forward.

For plaintiffs looking to file an AFFF lawsuit , the firefighting foam litigation is entering a key phase.

After several years of consolidated discovery and pre-trial proceedings, the first bellwether trials in the MDL are expected to begin in mid-2024.

These initial test cases will provide the first indications of how juries will respond to the evidence and what kind of verdicts plaintiffs can expect.

Depending on the results of the bellwether trials , a global settlement may follow later in 2024 or 2025 .

The outcome of these early cases will heavily influence the settlement amounts that AFFF manufacturers will be willing to pay.

Plaintiffs should work closely with their lawyers to track the latest lawsuit updates and understand how these developments may impact their cases and expected payout.

Major AFFF Manufacturers Agree to Settle MDL Cases

In June 2023 , manufacturers 3M, DuPont, and other companies involved in the AFFF litigation struck a deal to settle claims filed by local governments alleging foam-related drinking water contamination.

While those cases were part of the larger firefighting foam MDL , this settlement only covers the water contamination claims, not individual AFFF lawsuits whose cases are still proceeding.

AFFF Lawsuit Payout Expected in 2024-2025

With the first firefighting foam settlement announced, many plaintiffs are anxious to know when they can expect a resolution and payout of their individual cases.

While there is not yet a clear timeline, the consolidated AFFF cases will likely not settle until after the first round of bellwether test trials, previously expected to begin in 2024.

Now that the water contamination claims have been settled, the court may move up that bellwether trial schedule.

Still, based on this trajectory, individual AFFF plaintiffs can hopefully expect a global settlement and resulting payouts beginning in mid-to-late 2024 and into 2025.

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 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 firefighting foam lawsuit.

A few reasons to choose TruLaw 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.