Ellsworth Air Force Base PFAS Lawsuit

How Can A PFAS Contamination Attorney from TruLaw Help You?

Our PFAS Contamination attorney at TruLaw is dedicated to supporting clients through the process of filing a PFAS Contamination lawsuit.

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 the Lead PFAS Contamination Attorney at TruLaw

Meet our lead PFAS Contamination attorney:

• Jessica Paluch-Hoerman: As founder and managing attorney of TruLaw, Jessica brings her experience in product liability and personal injury litigation to her client-centered approach by prioritizing open communication and personalized attention with her clients. Through TruLaw and partner law firms, Jessica has helped collect over $3 billion dollars on behalf of injured individuals across all 50 states through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

How much does hiring a PFAS Contamination lawyer from TruLaw cost?

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.

Health Issues Linked to PFAS in Drinking Water

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water pose a growing public health concern as scientists uncover more about their widespread presence and harmful effects.

These synthetic chemicals, often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment, have contaminated water systems across the United States.

The Environmental Protection Agency has identified PFAS in water supplies serving an estimated 143 million Americans, with exposure happening through everyday activities like drinking tap water.

Kidney Cancer and Other Serious PFAS-Related Conditions

Scientific research has established links between PFAS exposure and several serious health conditions, with kidney cancer showing particularly strong associations in multiple studies.

Medical research on the effects of PFAS exposure includes, but is not limited to:

• Kidney cancer, with studies showing a 74% increased risk among people with high-level exposure
• Testicular cancer, with a 122% higher risk in exposed populations
• Thyroid disease and disruption of hormone function
• Ulcerative colitis and other digestive system problems
• Elevated cholesterol levels that may increase heart disease risk
• Pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia
• Weakened immune response, including reduced vaccine effectiveness

The National Cancer Institute has confirmed that higher blood levels of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), one of the most common PFAS compounds, correlate with increased kidney cancer risk.

In 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a review of medical evidence to possibly make kidney cancer a presumptive condition for veterans exposed to PFAS, acknowledging the strong scientific foundation for this connection.

Local Communities Affected by Ellsworth PFAS Contamination

Residents near Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota face some of the nation’s highest PFAS contamination levels, with far-reaching impacts on local water supplies and public health.

The contamination situation in Box Elder and surrounding areas includes:

• Groundwater PFAS levels reaching 551,000 parts per trillion, among the highest recorded at any U.S. military site
• Contamination first discovered in 2016, though the toxic firefighting foam had been used for decades prior
• 112 private drinking wells tested, with 22 showing PFAS levels above EPA health advisory limits
• 91 residents provided with alternative drinking water sources by the Air Force
• Contamination extending beyond base boundaries into nearby Box Elder and other communities
• A planned water system to provide clean water to affected residents at no cost

The primary source of contamination was aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), used for decades in firefighting training at the base.

This foam contained high concentrations of PFAS that seeped into groundwater and migrated off-base.

Many residents consumed contaminated water for years before learning of the health risks.

Local veterans who served at Ellsworth have joined lawsuits seeking damages for health problems potentially related to PFAS exposure.

Their legal claims note that service members were never warned about possible health hazards while working with or near these chemicals.

Filing an Ellsworth Air Force Base PFAS Lawsuit

Individuals exposed to PFAS through contaminated water near Ellsworth Air Force Base may qualify to pursue legal action for resulting health problems and property damage.

Multiple lawsuits are currently moving forward, including individual claims and class actions against the federal government and chemical manufacturers.

The litigation process involves specific steps designed to connect your exposure history with health outcomes while demonstrating the responsible parties’ liability.

Eligibility Requirements for Your PFAS Claim

Not everyone affected by PFAS contamination automatically qualifies for compensation.

Meeting certain criteria strengthens your case and helps determine if you should pursue legal action.

To qualify for an Ellsworth Air Force Base PFAS lawsuit, you typically need to meet these requirements:

• Location proximity: You must have lived or worked on or near Ellsworth Air Force Base in Box Elder, South Dakota
• Exposure timeframe: You were exposed to contaminated water before 2016 (when the problem was discovered)
• Water source confirmation: Your water came from one of the 112 tested private wells or another affected water supply
• Documented health effects: You have been diagnosed with a condition linked to PFAS exposure
• Medical documentation: You have medical records showing diagnosis and treatment for qualifying conditions

Most law firms handling these cases focus on individuals diagnosed with specific health conditions with strong scientific links to PFAS, including kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Veterans who served at Ellsworth may have additional considerations regarding their claims.

Compensation Options for PFAS Exposure Victims

Successful PFAS lawsuits may result in various forms of compensation depending on your specific circumstances and the strength of your case.

Potential compensation categories include:

• Medical expense reimbursement for past and future treatment costs
• Lost income from missed work or diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering damages for physical discomfort and emotional distress
• Property value diminution for homeowners with contaminated wells or soil
• Medical monitoring costs for ongoing health screenings
• Punitive damages against manufacturers who knew about PFAS dangers

While settlement amounts vary widely based on individual circumstances, recent PFAS cases provide some context.

A nationwide settlement with DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva provided $1.18 billion to address water contamination, with individual payouts varying by exposure level and health outcomes.

Military base-specific settlements typically range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars for serious health conditions like cancer.

The Air Force has acknowledged its responsibility to provide clean drinking water but has been less forthcoming about compensation for health effects.

This has prompted many residents to pursue legal action through the civilian court system rather than military channels.

Most PFAS attorneys work on contingency fees, meaning you pay nothing unless you receive compensation.

If you believe you qualify for an Ellsworth Air Force Base PFAS lawsuit, gathering medical records, water testing results, and proof of residence duration is an important first step before consulting with an attorney experienced in environmental contamination cases.

TruLaw: Accepting Clients for the PFAS Contamination Lawsuit

PFAS contamination lawsuits are being filed by individuals nationwide who experienced health problems from exposure to PFAS chemicals in drinking water.

TruLaw is currently accepting clients for the PFAS contamination lawsuit.

A few reasons to choose TruLaw for your PFAS contamination lawsuit include:

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

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 an instant case evaluation that can determine if you qualify for the PFAS Contamination Lawsuit today.