The Tennessee Firefighting Foam Lawyers at Fob James Law Firm are representing victims that have been diagnosed with cancers caused by toxic substances found in firefighting foam products.
Companies such as Dupont and 3M sold hazardous firefighting foams for many years, all the while knowing the risks they posed.
AFFF products can cause cancers, including liver, kidney, pancreatic, prostate, and testicular.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with cancer after using firefighting foam products called AFFF, contact our experienced firefighting foam attorneys in Nashville, TN for a free consultation.
Our biggest concern is making sure you get the justice and the compensation that you deserve. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us 24/7 at 866-837-1010.
What Is AFFF?
Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) is a specialized foam substance used to extinguish petroleum- and jet fuel-based fires.
Made primarily by 3M and Dupont, AFFF (firefighting foam) has been used in America and abroad since at least the early 1970s by firefighters, military, and factory personnel.
The product helps form a protective blanket over fuel that smothers a fire when water alone cannot put it out.
What Is the Tennessee AFFF Lawsuit About?
AFFF is known to contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a series of synthetic chemical compounds that have been linked to various cancers.
Unfortunately, PFAS chemicals can bind to proteins and accumulate in the bodies of exposed humans. The PFAS works its way into the blood stream of firefighters and others that use AFFF products.
Despite knowing the risks associated with PFAS, some companies manufactured and profited from toxic firefighting foam for decades.
In 2010, the EPA asked these companies to cease manufacturing and using certain PFAS. In response, some companies began using “short-chain” PFAS, which were supposed to be safer for humans. However, recent studies have indicated that’s not the case.
The bottom line is large corporations like 3M and DuPont manufactured and sold hazardous firefighting foams for many years, all the while knowing the foam can cause cancer.
If you think you may have been injured due to exposure to AFFF, call us at 866-837-1010 to schedule your free consultation with a firefighting foam attorney in Tennessee.
What Cancers Are Linked To Firefighting Foam (AFFF) Products?
The known injuries caused by AFFF products are evolving. For now, the focus of the AFFF lawsuit is on the following injuries:
- Kidney cancer
- Thyroid disease – Hypo and Hyperthyroidism
- Ulcerative colitis
- Liver cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid cancer
Which Companies Manufactured Toxic AFFF Products?
The following companies manufactured firefighting foam that allegedly contained toxic PFAS chemicals:
- 3M
- Dupont
- AGC Chemicals Americas
- Arkema
- BASF Corporation
- Buckeye Fire Equipment Company
- ChemDesign Products, Inc.
- Chemours Company FC, LLC
- Chubb Fire, Ltd.
- Clariant
- Corteva
- Dynax Corporation
- Kiddle-Fenwal, Inc.
- Kidde P.L.C.
- National Foam, Inc.
- Tyco Fire Products, LP
- United Technologies
- UTC Fire and Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
Note that the AFFF product used by you could be the same product on the list but marketed under a different name.
If you are unsure whether your product qualifies contact our firm and we will investigate free of charge.
Who Qualifies For the Firefighting Foam Lawsuit in Tennessee?
A Tennessee resident who has been exposed to PFAS chemicals in AFFF and diagnosed with cancer may qualify for the AFFF lawsuit in Tennessee.
Your case generally qualifies for the AFFF lawsuit if it meets two criteria:
- You were exposed to PFAS over a long period of time. For example, if you used AFFF (firefighting foam) products throughout your job as a firefighter or factory worker, you will be able to show that you were exposed to PFAS chemicals.
- You were diagnosed with certain types of cancer after prolonged exposure to PFAS chemicals.
Currently, the cancers with strongest connection to PFAS exposure are:
- testicular cancer
- kidney cancer
- thyroid disease (Hypo and Hyperthyroidism; Hashimoto’s)
- ulcerative colitis
- thyroid cancer
- liver cancer
Even if you are unsure if your case qualifies, please contact our Tennessee AFFF lawyers for a free consultation.
The Risk Of Cancer Is Real
Recent studies have linked the PFAS chemicals in AFFF “firefighting foam” products to a myriad to cancers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Cancer Society have classified the chemicals in AFFF firefighting foam as a possible carcinogen.
Likewise, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), as a possible human carcinogen that causes cancer.
Both the EPA and World Health Organization (WHO) have warned that exposure to PFAS may cause cancer. In fact, the EPA has classified PFAS as an “emerging contaminant”.
Other studies to watch closely are listed below:
Kidney Cancer
A recent study by Dr. Jonathan Hofmann suggests a higher kidney cancer incidence and mortality among individuals with high PFOA exposures from employment in a PFAS-producing chemical plant or residence in the surrounding community with contaminated drinking water.
Testicular Cancer
Dr. Mark Purdue is conducting a case-control study of serum PFAS levels and testicular cancer risk nested within the Department of Defense Serum Repository (DoDSR).
PFAS levels will be determined for the earliest and latest (two or more years prior to diagnosis) banked serum samples stored in DoDSR from 800 Air Force servicemen who later developed testicular cancer on active duty and 800 Air Force cancer-free controls.
Thyroid Cancer
Dr. Mark Purdue is conducting another study to investigate whether elevated pre-diagnostic serum concentrations of selected PFAS are associated with increased risks of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and thyroid cancer.
What Can I Recover From A Tennessee AFFF Foam Lawsuit?
Every case is unique, but people who successfully file product liability lawsuits can recover money for the following damages:
- PAST AND FUTURE MEDICAL BILLS (INCLUDING MEDICATION, HOSPITAL STAYS, AND IN-HOME CARE)
- PAIN AND SUFFERING
- LOST WAGES
- LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY
- FUNERAL EXPENSES (IN THE VENT OF A LOVED ONE’S DEATH)
- BROADLY SPEAKING, A PLAINTIFF COULD BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION FOR ANY PAST AND FUTURE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR DIAGNOSIS
What Are the Attorney Fees for the AFFF Lawsuit in Tennessee?
Fob James Law Firm operates on the contingency-fee-basis. This means we only get paid a percentage of the recovery if we successfully resolve your case.
Our fees come out of a favorable settlement or jury award, not out of your pocket. Importantly, if we do not obtain a recovery then you owe us nothing.
Fob James Law Firm charges AFFF lawsuit clients a 33.33% to 40% contingency fee.
To speak with one of our experienced Tennessee firefighting foam lawyers, call us today at 866-837-1010.
How Long Do I Have To File A Tennessee AFFF Lawsuit?
Every state is different so make sure you consult with an attorney about how long you have to file a lawsuit.
In Tennessee, generally speaking, you have one year from the date of discovery of your diagnosis to file a lawsuit. However, there are exceptions that can increase the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit.
Contact our Tennessee firefighting foam attorneys to review your specific situation.
How Do I Join The AFFF Lawsuit in Tennessee?
It is simple to join the AFFF lawsuit. Call us today or submit your contact information and our attorneys will call you to discuss your case.
It does not matter where you live. We represent victims of the toxic AFFF products in all 50 states.
Regardless of your location, all AFFF cases are filed in the MDL, which is federal court.
Firefighting Foam (AFFF) Class Action Lawsuit Updates
Updates on the AFFF lawsuit will be posted in our blog throughout the litigation. We post an update at least once per month.
If you have any immediate quesitons or concerns, call us 24/7 to speak with one of our attorneys.
April 2, 2025 – Expert Report Deadlines for Liver and Thyroid Cancer Plaintiffs
The deadlines for expert reports in cases involving liver cancer or thyroid cancer are as follows:
- July 11, 2025 – Plaintiffs’ expert reports
- August 22, 2025 – Defendants’ expert reports
We continue to see an influx of filed cases. This could be because plaintiff attorneys anticipate a global resolution in 2025, so they want to make sure they get their cases filed on the docket.
The next key date is the “Science Day” in June.
March 1, 2025 – Judge Gergel Schedules Science Day for Liver and Thyroid Cancer
Like most MDLs, the AFFF litigation initially involved a wide range of diseases. Plaintiffs have the burden of proof and the science has to support both general and specific causation. Because of this, the qualifying diseases in the AFFF lawsuits were reduced to the following:
- testicular cancer
- kidney cancer
- thyroid disease (Hypo and Hyperthyroidism; Hashimoto’s)
- ulcerative colitis
However, many plaintiff attorneys and their experts have been arguing that the science is sufficiently strong enough to support claims for liver and thyroid cancer. Judge Gergel apparently believes its worth the Court’s time to schedule a “science day” on June 6, 2025.
At the science day, the parties will educate the Court on the the science connecting AFFF exposure to liver and thyroid cancer. If the science day goes well, the Judge Gergel may expand the MDL to include these two cancers. Overall, we believe the science day is a positive step.
Febuary 10, 2025 – Parties Request Discovery Track for Ulcerative Colitis Cases
The parties in the AFFF lawsuits are requesting a new case management order to provide a framework for discovery and bellwether cases for ulcerative colitis cases. The science connecting AFFF exposure to ulcerative colitis is very strong. Ulcerative colitis is also one of the more common diseases in the MDL. As a result, it makes sense to have case specific discovery and a bellwether trial selection process specifically for ulcerative colitis claimants.
January 4, 2025 – Will the AFFF Lawsuit Settle in 2025?
We blogged last month that the first Tier 2 AFFF bellwether trial is scheduled for October 6, 2025. In light of this, we believe there is a decent chance that qualifying AFFF lawsuits may settle by the end of 2025.
Bellwether trials are crucial in a MDL because they put pressure on both sides to settle. From plaintiffs perspective, the risk of going to trial is that the jury returning a defense verdict. And from defendants’ point of view, the risk is the jury awarding a nuclear verdict to the plaintiff.
As pressure mounts before the bellwether trial in October, we are hopeful that the parties are able to reach a global settlement.
December 14, 2024 – First Tier 2 Bellwether Trial Scheduled In October 2025
The MDL Court scheduled the first Tier 2 Group A bellwether trial in the AFFF litigation (MDL) for October 6, 2025.
Tier 2 diseases in the AFFF MDL include kidney and testicular cancer. The Tier 2 discovery track cases are divided into Group A or B.
December 2, 2024- Drop in the Number of Filed AFFF Lawsuits
The number filed lawsuits in the AFFF MDL is now around 7400 cases. At one point there were roughly 9000 pending cases. However, cases that were part of a prior global settlement have been dismissed. This in turn has reduced the number of cases on the Court’s docket .
November 1, 2024 – Judge Gergel Enters New Case Management Order on PPFs
In mass tort litigation, plaintiffs produce Plaintiff Profile Forms (PPFs) to the defendants. PPFs are also called Plaintiff Fact Sheets. The information contained in the PPFs provides key facts and evidence supporting a plaintiff’s case.
Increasingly, PPFs are more difficult and time consuming to complete. As a result, many plaintiffs submit incomplete PPFs. If this happens, the defendants will initiate protocols set by the court that could eventually lead to the dismissal of deficient cases.
Judge Gergel entered Case Management Order No. 31 (CMO 31), which sets forth new requirement and timelines for PPFs. We encourage every plaintiff to follow up with your attorney to make sure your PPF complies with CMO 31.
October 1, 2024 – Slow Couple of Weeks in the AFFF MDL
There is not much to report from the last several weeks. Now that the Court has selected the first seven bellwether cases, we expect the next battle in the litigation will consist of Daubert motions. Plaintiffs have the burden to prove that the chemicals in the foam caused his or her injuries. To prove causation, plaintiffs typically rely on expert testimony. Experts often include medical doctors and scientists.
A Daubert motion is where the defense will attack Plaintiff’s experts and try to exclude their testimony from trial. If plaintiffs’ experts are excluded, then plaintiffs will lack the scientific basis needed to prove causation. We expect the expert battles will take place over the next 9-12 months.
September 2, 2024 – New Study by University of Arizona Links AFFF Usage to Water Contamination
Researchers from the University of Arizona released a study linking PFAS chemicals found in a small Washington town’s water supply to AFFF foam used at the nearby Fairchild Air Force Base (AFB). This study reflects how AFFF chemicals can impact non-users such as nearby residents. At this time, lawsuits involving AFFF foam are limited to the firefighters and other personal who were directly exposed. Time will tell if the scope of lawsuits broaden.
August 2, 2024 – Judge Selects 7 Bellwether Cases
Judge Gergel who presides over the MDL in the District of South Carolina has selected seven cases that will serve as the initial “bellwether cases”. A bellwether trial is like a test trial that allows the parties to gauge the strength and weaknesses of the case through expert discovery and a jury trial. This is a big deal because typically global resolutions are not reached until bellwether trials happen. The seven bellwether plaintiffs are all Pennsylvania residents who were diagnosed with at least one of the following diseases:
- kidney cancer
- testicular cancer
- thyroid disease
- ulcerative colitis
July 15, 2024 – Air Force Removes AFFF/PFAS Chemical from its Stock
The Air Force announced it is replacing current stocks of AFFF in fire and emergency services vehicles with a fluorine-free formulation. The new formulatoin does not contain chemicals with tox effects. This move is part of a larger Defense Department-wide effort to remove PFAS from firefighting activities. We applaud the removal of any AFFF based products used by firefighters.
July 1, 2024 – Landfills Linked to PFAS Chemicals
A new study by researchers at the University of Florida found that landfills release various types of “forever chemicals” [PFAS]. It appears these chemicals pollute the air as products in the landfill break down. Time will tell if a new category of air pollution lawsuits will result from PFAS released by landfills.
June 2, 2024 – Pathway for Non-Qualifying Diseases
In the current MDL, the types of diseases that will be litigated has been narrowed. This usually happens in a MDL. So what happens to all of the filed cases that do not have a “qualifying disease”? The Court established a pathway for cases that do not qualify for the MDL to continue. Specifically, the Court annouced a process where the non-qualifying cases can be voluntary dismissed and the statute of limitations tolled while the litigation plays out. These cases can be refiled at a later date.
May 1, 2024 – Number of Cases reaches 8,000
On a consistent basis, several hundred cases are filed each month in the MDL. With 323 cases filed in April, the total number of cases crosses the 8,000 mark.
April 1, 2024 – The Court Is Gearing Up for a “Science Day”
The Court entered Case Management Order 28 [CMO-28] which sets forth the obligations of the parties leading up to a “Science Day”.
A Science Day is a proceeding where the parties present an overview of the scientific evidence and expert testimony in connection with various diseases to the Court. In other words, a science day is a chance to educate the Judge on medical causation and other important issues.
CMO-28 requires the parties to exhchange peer reviewed studies which support or dispute as association of AFFF with the list of diseases identified by the PEC.
By May 15, 2024, the parties must submit the peer reviewed studies to the Court. Thereafter, the Court will schedule a science day.
The order also requires the parties to meet and confer on the process for selecting bellwether cases (test trials) and regarding Daubert and dispositive motions.
February 10, 2024 – Tennessee Resident Files AFFF Lawsuit
A former firefighter and resident of Tennessee filed a lawsuit against the makers of AFFF alleging the PFAS chemicals caused his testicular cancer. The case will be transferred to the MDL Court overseeing the AFFF litigation. If the case is not resolved through the MDL, the case may get transferred back to federal court in Tennessee.
Related: Read Our AFFF Lawsuit Blog for Updates Prior to 2024
Our Firefighting Foam Attorneys Are the Top Choice in Tennessee
For more than 40 years, the attorneys at Fob James Law Firm have been fighting for victims of injuries across the country.
- We work closely with each of our clients, ensuring they receive personalized attention. With our firm, you will actually speak with your dedicated lawyer not an assistant.
- We move fast. We do not sit on cases. When we take your case we aggressively work your case from day one to ensure you get the compensation you deserve as soon as possible.
- We are not afraid to take your case to trial. As trial lawyers we love to litigate cases in courthouses across the country.
- We never charge fees up front. If we do not win your case you owe us nothing.
Our case results and client testimonials speak for themselves. Call us today to schedule your free consultation and case review
Contact an AFFF Lawsuit Lawyer Near Me In Tennessee
At Fob James Law Firm, our job is to help you to the best of our ability and fight for you. If you’ve suffered cancer as a result of exposure to harmful AFFF products, you should contact our firefighting foam attorneys immediately.
We can determine if you are eligible to file a lawsuit or not. It won’t cost you anything to speak with us. Additionally, you’ll never pay us anything until we successfully settle or win your case in court.
Our Tennessee firefighting foam lawyers are experienced, dedicated, and they truly care about you. We treat all of our clients exactly how we would want our own family members to be treated.
Contact us right now at 866-837-1010 or set up a free case evaluation so we can help you.