Attorney Jessica Paluch-Hoerman, founder of TruLaw, has over 28 years of experience as a personal injury and mass tort attorney, and previously worked as an international tax attorney at Deloitte. Jessie collaborates with attorneys nationwide — enabling her to share reliable, up-to-date legal information with our readers.
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Question: Who qualifies to file a Castle Air Force Base PFAS lawsuit?
Answer: Veterans, family members, and civilian workers who spent at least one cumulative year at this military base between the 1970s and 1995 and subsequently developed PFAS-related cancers or health issues qualify to file lawsuits.
On this page, we’ll discuss this question in further depth, major defendants in military base water contamination litigation, specific qualification criteria for Castle AFB claims, and much more.
Qualifying conditions include kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, liver cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer, based on established scientific links to PFAS exposure from contaminated drinking water supplies.
Service time need not be continuous—multiple assignments totaling one year meet exposure requirements, recognizing military careers often involve transfers between military installations.
Firefighters, aircraft maintenance crews, and others who directly handled firefighting foam may qualify with shorter exposure periods due to intense occupational contact, while family members living in base housing face similar contamination risks through drinking water exposure.
If you or someone you love has medical records linking cancer to Castle Air Force Base service, you may be eligible to seek compensation.
Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation that can help you determine if you qualify to file a Military Base Water Contamination Lawsuit today.
Castle Air Force Base has recorded PFAS levels of 2,598,770 parts per trillion (ppt), which exceeds EPA safety limits by an astounding 37,000 times, making it one of the most severely contaminated military sites in the United States.
This extreme contamination resulted from decades of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) use during firefighting training exercises and emergency responses from the 1970s through the base’s closure in 1995, as documented by the EPA’s Superfund site records.
Castle Air Force Base operated as a Strategic Air Command training facility from 1941 to 1995, during which routine firefighting exercises using AFFF created persistent environmental contamination from toxic substances that continues affecting groundwater and surrounding communities today.
The military adopted AFFF specifications requiring its use in 1969, leading to widespread deployment at Castle AFB throughout the 1970s for both training drills and actual aircraft fire emergencies, according to Department of Defense PFAS reporting.
Key contamination milestones at Castle AFB include, but are not limited to:
Castle AFB’s contamination level of 2,598,770 ppt represents one of the highest PFAS concentrations documented at any U.S. military facility, surpassing many other severely contaminated bases by orders of magnitude.
This extraordinary contamination resulted from the base’s role as an aircrew training facility where AFFF was routinely used in fire suppression system testing, hangar deluge systems, and crash rescue training scenarios during military operations.
Military personnel and their families stationed at Castle AFB were exposed to harmful substances primarily through contaminated drinking water systems that served base housing, workplaces, and recreational facilities.
For decades, service members and their loved ones unknowingly consumed water containing PFAS levels thousands of times higher than current safety standards, with exposure occurring through everyday activities like drinking, cooking, and bathing, as confirmed by California Water Board testing requirements.
Primary exposure pathways at Castle AFB included, but were not limited to:
Long-term Castle AFB residents and workers face particularly elevated health risks due to prolonged exposure duration and the bio-accumulative nature of toxic chemicals, which build up in the body over time.
Veterans who served multiple tours at Castle AFB or lived in base housing for extended periods accumulated higher PFAS body burdens, increasing their likelihood of developing serious medical conditions years or decades after service.
The EPA’s Superfund designation in 1987 initiated decades of investigation and remediation efforts at Castle AFB, with the Air Force investing millions in cleanup technologies and providing alternative water sources to affected residents, as detailed in EPA’s site schedule.
Despite these efforts, the persistence of PFAS chemicals means contamination remains a serious concern, with groundwater plumes and contaminated soil continuing to migrate and impact surrounding communities.
The contamination remediation timeline reflects both completed actions and ongoing initiatives:
Current remediation technologies face limitations in addressing PFAS contamination, as these “forever chemicals” resist breakdown and require specialized treatment methods that remain costly and incomplete.
The Air Force continues investing in advanced treatment systems including granular activated carbon filtration and ion exchange technologies, yet complete remediation may take decades given the extensive contamination and PFAS persistence in the environment.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified PFOA as “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1) in November 2023, representing the highest level of scientific certainty regarding cancer causation and risks to human health.
Multiple peer-reviewed studies and meta-analyses have documented increased cancer risks and other serious health conditions among populations exposed to elevated PFAS levels like those found at Castle AFB, according to ATSDR health effects research.
Kidney cancer and testicular cancer represent the strongest compensable conditions, with comprehensive meta-analyses showing an 18% increased kidney cancer risk (RR=1.18) from overall PFAS exposure and a 74% increased risk (RR=1.74) among those with high-level exposure.
The landmark C8 Science Panel, which evaluated health effects following a major PFAS contamination settlement, established probable causal links between PFOA exposure and six specific conditions that form the foundation for current litigation against chemical manufacturers.
Primary conditions with established causal links to PFAS exposure include, but are not limited to:
These conditions qualify for compensation because extensive epidemiological research, including studies of over 69,000 people in the C8 Health Project, has established clear causal relationships between PFAS exposure and disease development.
The consistency of findings across multiple populations and the dose-response relationships observed strengthen the scientific evidence supporting claims against manufacturers of these dangerous chemicals.
If you or a loved one developed any of these conditions after exposure at Castle Air Force Base, you may qualify to seek compensation.
Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation that can determine your eligibility to file a PFAS contamination claim today.
Beyond the primary qualifying conditions, researchers have identified additional health impacts including liver damage with potential progression to cancer, immune system dysfunction reducing vaccine effectiveness, and developmental delays in children exposed in utero or during early childhood.
Recent 2024-2025 studies from the Environmental Working Group have expanded understanding of PFAS carcinogenicity, with all 26 fluorinated chemicals studied displaying characteristics of known human carcinogens, as reported by VA public health research.
Researchers are investigating these secondary conditions for potential PFAS associations:
Ongoing research continues expanding the list of PFAS related illnesses, with major cancer research institutions investigating connections between exposure and various malignancies.
Comprehensive medical evidence forms the foundation of successful PFAS claims, requiring diagnosis records from board-certified physicians, complete treatment history including chemotherapy or surgical interventions, and ideally blood tests showing elevated PFAS levels above general population baselines.
While blood testing provides powerful evidence of exposure, the persistence of PFAS in the human body means testing remains valuable years after leaving Castle AFB, as noted in ATSDR toxicological profiles.
Your PFAS exposure claim may be strengthened by the following medical documentation:
PFAS compounds have established half-lives in the human body, with PFOA persisting for approximately 2.7 years, PFOS for 3.4 years, and PFHxS for 5.3 years, making blood testing valuable even years after exposure ended.
Veterans who left Castle AFB decades ago may still show detectable PFAS levels, particularly if they experienced high-intensity exposure through firefighting duties or consumed contaminated water for extended periods.
To qualify for compensation in the Castle Air Force Base PFAS lawsuit, plaintiffs must demonstrate at least one cumulative year of exposure at the base between the 1970s and 1995, along with a diagnosis of a qualifying health condition linked to PFAS exposure.
Both military personnel and civilian populations affected by base contamination may pursue compensation through individual lawsuits or participation in the ongoing AFFF multidistrict litigation (MDL-2873), which continues accepting new cases in 2025 through the legal process, as documented in VA exposure information.
Veterans who served at Castle AFB for at least one cumulative year during the AFFF use period (1970s-1995) and subsequently developed qualifying conditions meet the primary eligibility criteria for filing claims.
Service time need not be continuous—multiple assignments totaling one year qualify, recognizing that military careers often involve transfers between installations while still accumulating PFAS exposure at contaminated bases.
Veterans currently receiving VA disability benefits for PFAS-related conditions can pursue civil litigation without affecting their VA compensation, as confirmed by recent VA guidance and federal court decisions.
This dual recovery recognizes that VA benefits address service-connected disabilities while civil lawsuits compensate for corporate defendants’ failure to warn about known chemical dangers.
Spouses and children who lived in base housing at Castle AFB qualify for compensation if they meet exposure duration requirements and developed PFAS-related health conditions, recognizing that families consumed the same contaminated water as service members.
Additionally, civilian employees, contractors, and other non-military personnel who worked on base face similar exposure risks and maintain equal rights to pursue compensation through the litigation process with assistance from an experienced legal team.
Family members of deceased veterans may file wrongful death claims if the veteran died from PFAS-related conditions such as kidney cancer, testicular cancer, or other qualifying illnesses.
These claims seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the profound impact of losing a loved one to preventable chemical exposure in affected communities.
California’s two-year statute of limitations for toxic tort claims begins when plaintiffs discover or reasonably should have discovered their injury’s connection to PFAS exposure, not necessarily when the exposure occurred.
This “discovery rule” recognizes that PFAS-related cancers often develop decades after exposure, making immediate awareness of causation impossible for most plaintiffs.
Important statute of limitations factors for PFAS claims may include:
Recent diagnoses require immediate legal consultation even if exposure occurred decades ago, as courts continue interpreting how statutes of limitations apply to emerging PFAS litigation with evolving scientific evidence.
If you believe your family qualifies based on Castle AFB exposure, contact TruLaw using the chat on this page for an instant case evaluation to determine your eligibility and connect with experienced attorneys who understand the unique challenges military families face.
Our PFAS Contamination attorney at TruLaw is dedicated to supporting clients through the process of filing a PFAS Contamination lawsuit against responsible parties.
With extensive experience in chemical exposure cases, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman and our partner law firms work with litigation leaders to prove how toxic PFAS chemicals in 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 PFAS exposure.
We understand the health and environmental impacts of PFAS exposure on your life and provide the personalized guidance you need when seeking justice.
Meet our lead PFAS Contamination attorney:
At TruLaw, we believe financial concerns should never stand in the way of justice.
That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis—with this approach, you only pay legal fees after you’ve been awarded compensation for your injuries.
If you or a loved one experienced health complications from exposure to PFAS-contaminated water that include forms of cancer, immune disorders, liver damage, or thyroid disease, 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 a PFAS Contamination Lawsuit today.
PFAS contamination lawsuits are being filed by individuals nationwide who experienced health problems from exposure to PFAS chemicals in drinking water, including those harmed at Castle AFB and other military bases.
TruLaw is currently accepting clients for the PFAS contamination lawsuit.
A few reasons to choose TruLaw for your PFAS contamination lawsuit include:
If you or a loved one suffered health problems related to PFAS-contaminated water, you may be eligible to seek compensation.
Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive a free consultation that can determine if you qualify for the PFAS Contamination Lawsuit today.
Establishing causation requires demonstrating Castle AFB service during the PFAS contamination period (1970s-1995), diagnosis of a PFAS-linked cancer such as kidney, testicular, prostate, or liver cancer, and understanding that these cancers typically develop 10-20 years after initial exposure.
Castle AFB’s extreme contamination levels of 2,598,770 ppt make PFAS exposure virtually certain for all base personnel who consumed water, worked in facilities, or participated in firefighting activities, with recent studies from the National Cancer Institute confirming strong associations between military PFAS exposure and specific cancers.
Cancer remission status does not disqualify you from filing a PFAS claim, as compensation covers both past medical expenses including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation treatments, as well as future monitoring costs and the ongoing risk of recurrence.
VA disability ratings specifically account for both active disease and remission status, recognizing that cancer survivors face lifelong health monitoring requirements and potential recurrence risks that justify continued compensation even after successful treatment completion.
PFAS attorneys work exclusively on contingency fees, meaning you pay absolutely nothing upfront and attorneys only receive payment (typically 33-40%) if they successfully secure compensation for your case.
Attorneys advance all case expenses including court filing fees, expert witness costs that can exceed $50,000, medical record retrieval, and evidence gathering, with these costs only reimbursed from successful settlements, ensuring access to high-quality legal representation regardless of your current financial circumstances.
Most PFAS lawsuits take 2-4 years from initial filing to resolution through the multidistrict litigation process, though some attorneys report potential settlements within 2-4 months for cases with strong evidence and clear qualifying conditions.
Major settlements like 3M’s $10.3 billion agreement are structured over extended periods, with payments beginning in 2024 and continuing through 2036, ensuring long-term funding for claimants while allowing immediate compensation for those with urgent medical needs.
Surviving family members including spouses, children, and sometimes parents may pursue wrongful death claims for veterans who died from PFAS-related conditions, requiring military service records proving Castle AFB assignment, death certificate listing qualifying cancer as cause of death, and medical documentation linking the fatal condition to PFAS exposure.
These claims seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and the profound impact of losing a loved one to preventable chemical exposure that occurred during honorable military service.
While most PFAS claims require one cumulative year of exposure, exceptions exist for 6-month exposures particularly involving prostate cancer diagnoses or high-risk occupational roles such as firefighters who directly handled AFFF during training exercises or emergency responses.
Each case undergoes individual evaluation considering specific factors including housing location proximity to contaminated wells, work assignment intensity such as flight line duties, documented exposure incidents, and the severity of resulting health conditions (with attorneys successfully arguing that concentrated exposures during shorter periods can equal or exceed risks from longer low-level exposures).
Research shows potential links between PFAS exposure and lung cancer, though definitive causation remains under investigation.
Recent 2024 studies found PFAS in drinking water associated with various cancers, including respiratory system cancers.
Individuals with documented PFAS exposure may benefit from medical monitoring and legal consultation regarding potential health impacts.
Managing Attorney & Owner
With over 25 years of legal experience, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman is an Illinois lawyer, a CPA, and a mother of three. She spent the first decade of her career working as an international tax attorney at Deloitte.
In 2009, Jessie co-founded her own law firm with her husband – which has scaled to over 30 employees since its conception.
In 2016, Jessie founded TruLaw, which allows her to collaborate with attorneys and legal experts across the United States on a daily basis. This hypervaluable network of experts is what enables her to share the most reliable, accurate, and up-to-date legal information with our readers!
Here, at TruLaw, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
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AFFF Lawsuit claims are being filed against manufacturers of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), commonly used in firefighting.
Claims allege that companies such as 3M, DuPont, and Tyco Fire Products failed to adequately warn users about the potential dangers of AFFF exposure — including increased risks of various cancers and diseases.
Depo Provera Lawsuit claims are being filed by individuals who allege they developed meningioma (a type of brain tumor) after receiving Depo-Provera birth control injections.
A 2024 study found that women using Depo-Provera for at least 1 year are five times more likely to develop meningioma brain tumors compared to those not using the drug.
Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit claims are being filed against Indivior, the manufacturer of Suboxone, a medication used to treat opioid addiction.
Claims allege that Indivior failed to adequately warn users about the potential dangers of severe tooth decay and dental injuries associated with Suboxone’s sublingual film version.
Social Media Harm Lawsuits are being filed against social media companies for allegedly causing mental health issues in children and teens.
Claims allege that companies like Meta, Google, ByteDance, and Snap designed addictive platforms that led to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues without adequately warning users or parents.
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits are being filed against manufacturers of transvaginal mesh products used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
Claims allege that companies like Ethicon, C.R. Bard, and Boston Scientific failed to adequately warn about potential dangers — including erosion, pain, and infection.
Bair Hugger Warming Blanket Lawsuits involve claims against 3M — alleging their surgical warming blankets caused severe infections and complications (particularly in hip and knee replacement surgeries).
Plaintiffs claim 3M failed to warn about potential risks — despite knowing about increased risk of deep joint infections since 2011.
Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit claims are being filed against manufacturers of cow’s milk-based baby formula products.
Claims allege that companies like Abbott Laboratories (Similac) and Mead Johnson & Company (Enfamil) failed to warn about the increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants.
Here, at TruLaw, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Alongside our partner law firms, we have successfully collected over $3 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?