Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)—the fuel-fire suppressant long used by firefighters, military bases, and airports—contains PFAS (“forever chemicals”). PFAS exposure has been linked in human studies to cancers and serious illnesses. As the science and the litigation have advanced, thousands of individuals and public water systems have filed claims against foam and PFAS manufacturers.
Where the AFFF Lawsuits Stand Now
The MDL, case counts, and why it matters
All federal AFFF personal-injury and many property-damage/water claims are centralized in MDL 2873 in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina before Judge Richard M. Gergel. The court’s MDL portal confirms the proceeding now involves 10,000+ associated cases (tens of thousands of individual plaintiffs).
Independent trackers and recent updates report nearly 11,000 pending cases as of September 2025, reflecting steady monthly growth as more firefighters, veterans, airport workers, and affected civilians file claims.
Key 2025 milestones in the AFFF litigation
- Science Day (June 20, 2025): The Court held a dedicated Science Day to hear expert presentations focused on thyroid and liver cancer causation questions. This session (set by Case Management Order No. 33) helps define the scope of admissible scientific testimony heading into bellwether trials.
- Bellwether trial scheduling: The first personal-injury bellwether had been targeted for October 2025, pending rescheduling. Bellwethers are critical: they test claims and defenses before a jury and strongly influence settlement dynamics across the MDL (scheduling adjustments can occur as the Court manages expert discovery and pretrial rulings).
Major Settlements That Shape the Landscape
Although personal-injury test cases are still moving toward trial, large public-water-system settlements have already reshaped the PFAS litigation environment:
- 3M Public Water Suppliers Settlement – Final Approval (April 1, 2024): Up to $10.3B (present value) over 13 years to help U.S. public water suppliers test for and remove PFAS. This is a court-approved deal tied to the South Carolina proceedings and has accelerated attention on individual exposure claims.
- DuPont/Chemours/Corteva Water Systems Settlement (June 2, 2023): A $1.185B fund to resolve a defined class of water-provider claims related to PFAS in drinking water.
- State enforcement continues: For example, in August 2025 the State of New Jersey announced an $875M settlement with Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva over PFAS environmental claims, underscoring the broader momentum around PFAS accountability. (This state case is separate from the MDL but adds pressure industry-wide.)
What this means for individuals: These water-system deals don’t resolve personal-injury claims—but they establish liability frameworks, fund cleanups, and keep PFAS risks at the forefront. As admissible science solidifies and bellwethers approach, the pathway to resolving individual cancer and illness claims becomes more defined.
The Science That’s Moving the Needle
Courts are weighing a rapidly expanding body of peer-reviewed research on PFAS exposure and specific cancers/conditions. The June 2025 Science Day concentrated on thyroid and liver cancer science; earlier schedules address kidney cancer, testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis, and thyroid disease, among others. Expect expert testimony and Daubert rulings to determine what juries will hear in the first trials.
Who May Be Eligible to File an AFFF Lawsuit?
You may qualify if you were exposed to AFFF/PFAS (for example, as a firefighter, airport/industrial worker, or through contaminated water) and later developed one of the litigation-focused illnesses, such as:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Liver cancer
- Thyroid cancer or thyroid disease
- Ulcerative colitis
Eligibility depends on documented exposure, medical diagnosis, and a medical “nexus” opinion linking the condition to PFAS. If you’re unsure whether your duty station, department, or community appears in PFAS contamination records, we can help evaluate.
What Compensation Can Cover
Personal-injury claims typically seek recovery for medical expenses, lost income/earning capacity, pain and suffering, and—where appropriate—future medical monitoring. Families may also pursue wrongful-death damages when applicable.
Why Timing Still Matters
- Statutes of limitations and repose periods differ by state; early legal evaluation protects your claim.
- Evidence preservation (personnel records, training logs, duty rosters, base or municipal testing results, medical records) is easier sooner than later.
- MDL momentum: With science hearings completed for additional cancers and bellwethers on deck, filing early helps position your case for settlement programs that may follow trial results.
How Keefe Law Firm Can Help
We represent firefighters, veterans, airport and industrial workers, and impacted communities in the AFFF litigation. Our team:
- Reviews your exposure history and medical records,
- Secures expert opinions to support causation,
- Navigates the MDL deadlines and evidentiary requirements, and
- Pursues the maximum compensation available.
You protected your community. Our job is to protect your rights.
Free, confidential consultation: Speak with Keefe Law Firm to evaluate eligibility and next steps in your AFFF lawsuit.