Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) lawsuits represent a massive area of environmental and product liability litigation across the United States, impacting thousands of civilian and military firefighters, airport workers, and surrounding communities. These claims primarily involve specialized firefighting foams containing “forever chemicals” known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which were designed to extinguish high-intensity fuel fires but do not naturally degrade in the human body or the environment. Experts allege that chronic exposure to these toxic compounds—through skin contact, inhalation during training, or contaminated groundwater—can lead to the development of life-threatening conditions, most notably kidney, testicular, and thyroid cancers, as well as ulcerative colitis and liver damage.

The health consequences of AFFF exposure are frequently devastating, requiring aggressive medical treatments, long-term monitoring, and significant lifestyle adjustments. In many instances, evidence produced in 2026 litigation suggests that chemical manufacturers were aware of the bioaccumulative nature of PFAS and their associated carcinogenic risks for decades, yet continued to distribute these products without adequate safety warnings or protective protocols. When such corporate negligence is established, affected individuals may have the legal right to pursue compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain, and emotional distress, as well as punitive damages intended to hold these manufacturers accountable for the systemic harm caused to our first responders.