As a firefighter, you put your life on the line every day. You know that your job can be dangerous, but don’t think about the effects of exposure to firefighting foam until it’s too late. If you’ve been exposed to AFFF or aqueous film-forming foam, and if it has caused any health issues, you should get in touch with a lawyer.
A lawyer can help you file an AFFF lawsuit and get the compensation for which you’re eligible after suffering from illness due to exposure to this dangerous substance. But what exactly is an AFFF lawsuit? In a nutshell, an AFFF lawsuit is a lawsuit against the manufacturer of firefighting foam. The chemicals in this foam, particularly PFOS and PFOA, have been linked to cancer, and people exposed to it are filing lawsuits.
What Health Issues Can Firefighting Foam Cause?
The health issues resulting from exposure to PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) chemicals, including firefighting foam, are wide-ranging and potentially life-altering.
- Respiratory problems: When inhaled, these chemicals can cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Some people have also developed asthma due to exposure to PFAS chemicals.
- Skin conditions: PFASs have been shown to cause rashes, acne, and other skin conditions, such as eczema, when they come into contact with the skin directly or get absorbed into the body through clothes.
- Cancer: Exposure to some levels of PFAS has been linked with an increased risk for several types of cancer, including kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and thyroid cancer. It is especially true if you were exposed during childhood or adolescence because your body tends to absorb these substances more readily at this time than it does later in life. As per the American Cancer Society, approximately 79,000 people will be diagnosed with kidney cancer by the end of 2022. Unfortunately, 13,920 patients are expected not to survive this deadly disease. The prime cause of kidney cancer is high blood pressure and tobacco use; many cases are also linked to PFAS chemical exposure.
What Should You Do if You Think You’ve Been Exposed to Firefighting Foam?
If you think your health issues are related to firefighting foam, consider talking to your doctor immediately. They will be able to determine whether or not your symptoms warrant further investigation.
If your doctor recommends that you get tested for PFAS contamination, it is necessary to follow their orders and keep a record of everything that happens during the testing process. This information will be significant if you file an AFFF lawsuit in the future to show how much money you spent on medical bills related to this exposure.
How Can a Lawyer Help You Get Compensated?
If you are suffering from health issues related to firefighting foam and want to know how much compensation you could get, having a lawyer on your side is crucial. A lawyer can help you prove that the foam caused your health issues and can help you get the compensation you deserve. If you have been exposed to firefighting foam, contact an attorney as soon as possible to determine if they can be linked to your ailments.
If you have been injured due to exposure at work or while handling certain products containing these chemicals, then you must obtain medical records for review immediately. It will help a lawyer determine whether or not there are grounds for filing suit against companies responsible for manufacturing harmful products involving these types of compounds. In addition, a lawyer will take steps towards recovering lost wages from missed days at work due to illness resulting from exposure through their negligence.
The amount of compensation depends on several factors. However, according to a data source, the average compensation awarded in personal injury claims in the US is around $31,000. The experience of your attorney can get you a higher amount of compensation based on your evidence and the case presented by your attorney.
A Lawyer’s Experience Can Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
A lawyer with experience in this area can help you get the compensation you deserve. A lawyer will know how to approach your case, what steps to take, and what evidence to collect when preparing for a trial. They will also be able to tell you about any legal issues that may arise during your case.
Your lawyer will work with you to get the best possible outcome from your case. A lawyer having expertise in compensation-related lawsuits best suits your case. An experienced lawyer knows the process and guides you from the start to the end of the process. Most lawyers specialize in certain areas, such as personal injury or product liability. If your case involves asbestos exposure or other toxic substances, your lawyer must have intimate knowledge of how courts assess these injuries.
How to Prove that the Firefighting Foam Caused Your Health Issues
Proving that the firefighting foam caused your health issues is critical to your case. You should have medical records that show the diagnosis, treatment, and dates of all treatments for any health problems you’ve had. Your doctor’s testimony can also create an evidentiary link between a particular illness and exposure to firefighting foam chemicals. If your doctor has seen other patients having similar symptoms as yours, this may help establish a pattern of causation between exposure to PFASs and their associated health problems.
If you’re having difficulty finding an expert witness who meets particular criteria, speak with your attorney about alternative ways they could provide testimony on your behalf. According to data, more than 400,000 personal injury claims are filed in the US, and only 4% make it to the trial level. Therefore, you and your counsel must be satisfied by the amount and authenticity of your evidence before filing a lawsuit.
How Much Compensation Can You Get for Health Issues from Firefighting Foam?
The amount of compensation you could get for your health issues depends on the severity of your health issues. Hiring a lawyer to fight for compensation might not be worth it if you have one or two minor problems. But it’s time to hire a lawyer if you have more critical issues and more people have similar problems.
Your compensation depends on how long you were exposed to firefighting foam. If you were only exposed briefly while fighting fires, then there’s not much chance that your firefighter’s illness will affect your life significantly. However, if many firefighters have been exposed for decades without knowing until now, then there’s more evidence that these chemicals may cause cancer and other diseases over time.
A Lawyer Can Help You Get Compensated for Health Issues from Firefighting Foam
A lawyer can help you determine if you have a case and what type of compensation is available to you. The chemicals in firefighting foam can cause a wide range of health issues. If you think you’ve been exposed to this dangerous chemical and have started experiencing symptoms, you must get tested as soon as possible. While it is too late for many firefighters who have already died from exposure to these chemicals, there may be hope for those still living with a severe illness caused by AFFF contamination. By filing a claim with an experienced attorney, you can help get the compensation you deserve.
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