Firefighting Foam Lawsuit

If your law firm is looking to generate firefighting foam lawsuit leads, you will need an effective and efficient intake process to manage the influx of inquiries you will undoubtedly receive. At Legal Conversion Center, we help lawyers and law firms qualify leads, convert leads, manage contracts, and much more. 

For many years, both civilian and military firefighters have used Aqueous Film-Forming Foam, or AFFF, to extinguish fires. This important foam was designed to save lives and structures, but unfortunately, has harmed thousands of firefighters exposed to the chemicals in the foam. Now, law firms across the United States are receiving inquiries about potential firefighting foam lawsuits.

These lawsuits claim that former and current firefighters developed serious illness after exposure to AFFF. Lawsuits are being filed against manufacturers of AFFF, including companies like Dupont, 3M, and Tyco. Plaintiff injuries include serious, and even life-threatening illnesses, including cancer.

The Link Between Firefighting Foam and Cancer

When manufacturers first developed AFFF, it was an extraordinary breakthrough. AFFF extinguishes fires much faster than other available methods. It is also able to extinguish high-risk fires, such as those caused by jet fuel or petroleum. The product works by spreading over the surface of the fire, which deprives it of oxygen and extinguishes it.

Unfortunately, this well-intentioned product contains chemicals that are harmful to the human body. AFFF contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAs. These chemicals are effective at putting out a fire but have well documented cancer risks. PFAs are identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) as increasing the risk of cancer. PFAs are considered by these organizations as human carcinogens.

PFAs and AFFF have been linked to illnesses and cancers including:

• Bladder Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Renal and Kidney Cancer
• Thyroid Disease and Cancer
• Uterine or Endometrial Cancer
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Ulcerative Colitis

Of particular concern among scientists and the medical community is the fact that PFAs are considered “forever chemicals”, meaning that they can build up in the body over a substantial period. Long-time firefighters or military personnel may not be immediately affected by the chemicals but may be unknowingly (and increasingly) at risk.

Status of The Firefighting Foam Class Action Lawsuit

Former and current firefighters and military personnel in all 50 states are exploring their rights in potential firefighting foam lawsuits. A Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) consolidated all AFFF-related cases into the United States Federal Court in the District of South Carolina. That means all cases filed relating to AFFF and cancer will be heard by the same court. As of December 2022, there were more than 3,000 individual lawsuits pending.

Because firefighting foam lawsuits have been consolidated into MDL under a single judge, there is a likelihood that these cases will result in a massive, potentially global firefighting foam settlement. Law firms that practice personal injury and/or mass torts may find it beneficial to review their intake strategy when pursuing the cases due to the large number of potential plaintiffs involved.

Firefighting Foam Lawsuits – The Manufacturers

There are multiple manufacturers of AFFF fire extinguishers, including some brands that are well known to consumers. Currently, firefighting foam lawsuits include manufacturers:

• 3M
• Dupont
• Chemguard
• Tyco Fire Products
• Buckeye Fire Equipment
• Chubb Fire
• The Chemours Company

Law firms should be aware that these are not the only companies that manufacture AFFF. These are the primary companies currently listed as defendants in firefighting foam lawsuits. As more lawsuits are filed, it is likely that we will see this list continue to grow. 

AFFF Cancer High-Risk Occupations

Most individuals who encounter AFFF are firefighters in some capacity. These individuals receive training on proper safety and use of products like AFFF but may not realize the chemicals themselves could be harming them over time. Individuals most likely to have significant or prolonged exposure to AFFF include:

Firefighters: Firefighters – both civilian and military – are the most at-risk for exposure to PFAs from AFFF. Firefighting foam has been used since the 1960s in active duty, on bases, and during training exercises. It has also been a staple in many fire stations across the U.S.

Navy Workers: The U.S. Navy began using AFFF in the 1960s. Navy workers used firefighting foam to fight fires (often on jets), as well as during training exercises. Currently, the Navy is attempting to replace AFFF with a product that does not contain PFAs, but so far, they are still relying on AFFF for effective fire management.

Airport Workers: Many airports used AFFF as part of their fire suppression systems. In 2018, when the danger of PFAs in AFFF became more widespread knowledge, many airports stopped using it. Unfortunately, many airport workers have been exposed to the chemicals for years, which puts them at risk.

Not only are those in high-risk occupations at risk of exposure to PFAs, but so are individuals and families living near areas where the chemicals are commonly used. PFAs do not break down in the environment, and they are known to contaminate water sources and build up in wildlife. That means PFAs could be present in wildlife and ground water sources, which poses a significant risk for residents within proximity to AFFF use.

In fact, many of the lawsuits already filed involve plaintiff’s who lived near military bases or airports where AFFF was commonly used for emergencies, during training, or during active duty.

We Know Mass Tort Intake

Firefighting foam lawsuits are likely to result in a large mass tort settlement. AFFF has been used for decades and could have exposed tens of thousands of people to harmful chemicals. For law firms who handle mass tort cases, this could mean a tremendous influx in potential clients looking for legal help.

At Legal Conversion Center, we provide the mass tort intake support that law firms need to grow and succeed in this highly competitive area of law. Our team has developed an innovative and proprietary process for mass tort intake that has proven time and again to convert more callers into paying clients. Not convinced? Just look at a few ways that we support law firms.

Customized Mass Tort Intake

When someone calls or emails your law firm, you want to give them the best first impression possible. You also want to make sure that their needs are addressed in a timely manner, so they don’t “shop around.” At LCC, we provide 24/7 mass tort intake services that are customized to your law firm and brand. Our highly trained team of intake specialists are provided training on mass tort intake, HIPAA regulations, empathy, personal injury law, and call control.

Contract Acquisition Service

Once our team has qualified a potential client, we will send them a retainer agreement on behalf of your firm. Getting a client to sign a retainer agreement immediately is a great way to solidify the relationship and prevent them from shopping for other firms. Our state-of-the-art technology allows us to immediately send retainers and obtain electronic signatures, which are seamlessly integrated into your case management system and files.

Appointment Scheduling

Part of our integrated and seamless intake process is helping your law firm get more confirmed consultations with potential clients. Our appointment scheduling service allows us to log into your appointment or case management system to schedule consultations for your staff. This frees up your in-house staff to handle in-person clients and manage daily functions in the office. 

Dead Lead Follow Up

Worried about those leads that never signed a retainer or followed up? Don’t be! At LCC, we can handle those “dead leads” for you. We have a team of highly trained agents who follow up with dead leads and convert them into clients. We frequently obtain signed retainer agreements during dead lead follow up calls.

A Legal Intake Call Center You Can Trust

Are you interested in reviewing firefighting foam lawsuit cases? Get prepared before you get started by partnering with Legal Conversion Center. Let our team of professionals help your law firm get the conversions you need to grow and help more clients get the results they need. Learn how we can help by contacting us for a quote.