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

Factors Affecting AFFF Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

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 (e.g. years working as a firefighter)
2. Frequency of AFFF firefighting foam usage during employment
3. Proximity to firefighting foam during usage (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

Plaintiffs 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.

Typical AFFF Lawsuit Settlement Amounts by Tier

While the firefighting foam lawsuits have not yet settled, based on settlement values in comparable mass torts, plaintiffs in the AFFF litigation can expect payouts ranging from around $50,000 for lowest-tier cases to $500,000 or more for the most severe top-tier cases.

Top Tier AFFF Settlements: $200K to $500K Payouts

Plaintiffs 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.

Top–tier cases may see average lawsuit payouts in the range of $200,000 to $500,000.

Middle Tier AFFF Payouts Range from $150K to $280K

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.

Typical payouts for this middle tier will likely fall between $150,000 to $280,000.

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 tiers will see AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit payouts under $150,000, with some as low as $20,000 to $75,000.

Role of Lawyers in Negotiating AFFF Settlements

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 client 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.

Recent AFFF Lawsuit News & Settlement Updates

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.

TruLaw: Your Advocate for Fair AFFF Settlements

At TruLaw, we believe that AFFF exposure victims deserve the highest possible compensation for the harm they’ve suffered.

Our team of experienced attorneys is committed to holding the manufacturers accountable and fighting for every dollar our clients are owed.

We understand the intricate scientific evidence needed to prove the link between firefighting foam and cancer.

Our lawyers will invest the time and resources necessary to build the strongest possible case on your behalf and ensure you receive the maximum compensation available.

When you work with TruLaw, you can have peace of mind knowing that your case is in the most capable hands.

We have a proven track record of standing up to powerful corporations like 3M and DuPont and winning top-dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients.

With our dedicated advocacy in your corner, you can focus on your health and recovery while we handle every aspect of your legal claim.

No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid if You Do

At TruLaw, our experienced AFFF firefighting foam attorneys are committed to fighting for every dollar you deserve from the manufacturers who exposed you to PFAS chemicals.

If you or a loved one developed cancer after exposure to AFFF, contact us today for a free consultation.

You pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we recover a settlement for you.

Let us put our skills to work to get you the maximum AFFF lawsuit payout possible.