PFAS Water
Contamination
Lawsuit
Were you diagnosed with Kidney, Testicular, or Thyroid Cancer, or Ulcerative Colitis after being exposed to PFAS chemicals in your drinking water?
You may be eligible for compensation
- Written By Attorney Troy Bouk
At present, we are not accepting new AFFF (PFAS) Water Contamination cases for MDL No. 2873, due to a court ordered deadline.
AFFF (PFAS) LAWSUIT – UPDATES
- On December 19, 2025, pursuant to Case Management Order No. 26M, the court has imposed Discovery deadlines in three cases being worked up for bellwether trials.
- As of December 2, 2025, there are 15,334 pending actions in MDL No. 2873.
- On August 15, 2025, pursuant to Case Management Order No. 35, the first personal injury bellwether trial in the AFFF (PFAS) firefighting foam lawsuit, which was scheduled for October 2025, was put on hold. The judge overseeing the AFFF (PFAS) multidistrict litigation (MDL), Judge Richard M. Gergel, issued an order vacating the October 2025 trial and related actions until the court deems it appropriate. This decision was made to allow parties to properly determine how many individuals’ lawsuits qualify for the legal action. This indicates that while the first bellwether trial in the AFFF (PFAS) case was set for October 2025, it has been stayed to allow for a better understanding of the overall scope of the litigation and potentially to facilitate settlement negotiations.
Recent testing data confirms more than 165 million people in the U.S. have been exposed to PFAS in their drinking water.
Frequently Asked Questions about the AFFF (PFAS) Lawsuit...
What Are Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)?
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” is a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s because of their useful properties. There are thousands of different PFAS, some of which have been more widely used and studied than others. They contain strong carbon-fluorine bonds, making them resistant to degradation.
Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), for example, are two of the most widely used and studied chemicals in the PFAS group.
PFAS chemicals can build up in people, animals, and the environment over time.
How is PFAS related to Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF)?
Of particular concern is the presence of PFAS in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which has been heavily utilized by the military and firefighting agencies. This has led to widespread water contamination and one of the most significant environmental mass torts in U.S. history: the AFFF PFAS Multidistrict Litigation (MDL No. 2873).
What is the AFFF (PFAS) Multidistrict Litigation (MDL No. 2873)
Overview
The AFFF MDL was established by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to consolidate over 10,000+ plaintiffs with causes of action and claims relating to PFAS. All cases have been consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, under the supervision of Judge Richard M. Gergel.
Plaintiffs generally allege that AFFF containing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and/or perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), two types of PFAS, contaminated groundwater near various military bases, airports, and other industrial sites where AFFFs were used to extinguish liquid fuel fires. The plaintiffs allege that they caused personal injury, a need for medical monitoring, property damage and other economic losses.
What Types of Injury Qualify?
Parties are currently conducting discovery in certain personal injury bellwether cases, which include the following injuries:
Leach Injuries:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Ulcerative colitis
Additional Injuries:
- Liver cancer
- Thyroid cancer
Who is Eligible for Compensation?
To qualify as a plaintiff in the PFAS MDL, individuals generally must meet the following:
- Medical diagnosis: Kidney, testicular, liver or thyroid cancer; thyroid disease or ulcerative colitis, diagnosed after exposure to contaminated water.
- Residency or employment history: At least one year of living or working in an area with confirmed PFAS contamination in their drinking water, above EPA thresholds.
- PFAS Exposure: Drinking contaminated water, and/or working in occupations such as military bases, airports, chemical manufacturing and processing facilities, with exposures to PFAS.
Common claimant categories include:
- Residents drinking contaminated water
- Military personnel
- Firefighters
- Industrial and chemical facility workers
- Airport staff
What PFAS damages might be covered?
Damages in PFAS litigation vary by jurisdiction but commonly include:
- Medical expenses and monitoring
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death (if related to qualifying cancers)
When is the first AFFF (PFAS) Personal Injury Bellwether Trial?
The first AFFF (PFAS) personal injury bellwether trial is scheduled for October 2025. These trials will initially focus on kidney cancer cases and are expected to shape settlement outcomes in related claims. A bellwether trial will serve as a key milestone in the litigation process. The results may encourage further resolution of individual claims.
Why Does the AFFF (PFAS) MDL Litigation Matter?
PFAS litigation is among the largest environmental mass torts in the United States. The persistence of PFAS in the environment, their bioaccumulative properties, and their documented health impacts make these claims urgent. Further, internal corporate documents and whistleblower testimony indicate that manufacturers were aware of the potential health risks but continued to market these products without adequate warnings.
What is the Litigation Process?
The litigation follows a standard complex tort procedure:
- File complaint
- File motions to dismiss or responsive pleadings
- Conduct fact and expert discovery
- Argue Daubert motions (challenging expert testimony)
- Brief pre-trial motions
- Conduct Bellwether trial
- File appeal if necessary
What Federal Regulations and EPA Measures Have Been Implemented to Address PFAS Water Contamination?
PFAS has been found in drinking water sources across the United States and it is believed more than 165 million people have been exposed nationwide. In recent years, federal regulatory bodies have taken significant steps to address PFAS contamination:
- In August 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed designating PFOA and PFOS as “hazardous substances” under CERCLA (Superfund law).
- On May 8, 2024, the EPA officially listed PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances.
- The EPA has revised health advisory limits for PFAS in drinking water to 4 parts per trillion (ppt).
- Historical advisories include a 2009 Provisional Health Advisory and a 2016 update with military disposal standards.
- The agency continues to develop comprehensive drinking water standards for PFAS detection, reporting, and treatment.
How Can I Find Out If I Qualify for a PFAS Claim?
Bouk Law is currently accepting new cases. If you have been diagnosed with one of the above injuries the team at Bouk Law will conduct an investigation to determine where you may have drank contaminated water or were directly exposed to these compounds while working. We offer free consultations, and we only get paid if we secure compensation for you.
Contact Bouk Law today to see if you qualify.