Do You Have a PFAS Lawsuit?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals that have been used for decades in an extremely wide range of consumer, commercial, and industrial products. Recent studies have shown that PFAS—commonly referred to as “forever chemicals”—are harmful not only to the environment but also to humans. These studies have led to a wave of lawsuits across the country.

If you have questions about filing a PFAS lawsuit, it will be worth talking to an experienced mass tort lawyer about your legal rights. Whether you are eligible to join an ongoing mass tort case or you are eligible to start a new case, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation if you have a claim.

Understanding Who Can File a PFAS Lawsuit

There are three basic requirements for filing a PFAS lawsuit. When you speak with an experienced mass tort lawyer, your lawyer will be able to assess whether you have grounds to take legal action. The three basic requirements for filing a PFAS lawsuit are:

1. Exposure to Dangerous Levels of PFAS

First, you must have been exposed to dangerous levels of PFAS. PFAS exposure can occur through a wide variety of means. As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explains:

“Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of thousands of chemicals used in hundreds of types of products. PFAS in the environment can enter the food supply through crops and animals grown, raised, or processed in contaminated areas. It is also possible for very small amounts of PFAS to enter foods through food packaging, processing, and cookware.”

There is no specific or minimum amount of PFAS exposure that is dangerous. Instead, assessing whether you may have experienced a dangerous level of exposure will require an in-depth assessment of your individual circumstances. Generally speaking, the longer and more direct your exposure, the more likely you are to have a claim. But if you have concerns about PFAS exposure for any reason, an experienced mass tort lawyer will be able to determine whether legal action is warranted.

2. Diagnosis with a Condition Linked to PFAS Exposure

Second, filing a PFAS lawsuit requires proof of a medical diagnosis linked to PFAS exposure. Simply claiming that you have been exposed to PFAS is not enough to seek monetary compensation. Instead, you must be able to prove that you have been (or a loved one has been) diagnosed with a condition such as:

• Colorectal cancer
• Dangerously low birth weight
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia or lymphoma
• Liver cancer
• Liver disease
• Ovarian or endometrial cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension
• Prostate cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Thyroid cancer

These are just examples. If you have concerns about PFAS exposure, you should talk to your doctor to find out if your diagnosis might possibly be PFAS-related. While most doctors will be aware of the risks of PFAS exposure, they won’t necessarily identify a diagnosis as potentially resulting from inhaling, ingesting, or coming into contact with PFAS. This isn’t necessarily reflective of an inadequate standard of care. Rather, it may simply reflect the fact that the diagnoses listed above (among others) can all have a variety of potential causes.

3. A Link Between Exposure and Diagnosis

With this latter point in mind, the third basic requirement for filing a PFAS lawsuit is a link between your (or your loved one’s) exposure and diagnosis. Proving that PFAS exposure is a possible cause of your (or your loved one’s) diagnosis requires experienced legal representation. Once you hire a mass tort lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will be able to take the necessary steps to prove your claim, and then your lawyer will be able to take appropriate legal action on your behalf.

How to Find Out if You Have a PFAS Lawsuit

Let’s say you have concerns about the consequences of PFAS exposure. How can you determine whether you have grounds to file a PFAS lawsuit? To determine if you have grounds to seek monetary compensation, you should:

• Gather Your Medical Records – You should gather any and all medical records you have that are related to your (or your loved one’s) diagnosis. As discussed above, proof of a PFAS-related diagnosis is required to file a PFAS lawsuit. If you don’t have any medical records, you should write down the names and locations of your (or your loved one’s) healthcare providers.
• Take Detailed Notes – You should also take detailed notes about why you suspect your (or your loved one’s) diagnosis may be related to PFAS exposure. Were you exposed to PFAS at work? Did your doctor mention something about PFAS? These are important facts your lawyer will need to know.
• Schedule a Free Consultation with a Mass Tort Lawyer – Filing a PFAS lawsuit requires experienced legal representation. In some cases, patients and families may be eligible to join ongoing mass tort cases. In others, they may need to file lawsuits of their own. With this in mind, if you have questions about your legal rights, you should speak with an experienced mass tort lawyer promptly.  

While these are not the only steps involved in assessing your legal rights, these are the first steps in the process. If it appears that you may have a claim, your lawyer will walk you through everything you need to know about filing a PFAS lawsuit. Since strict deadlines and other filing requirements apply, we strongly recommend that you speak with an experienced mass tort lawyer as soon as possible.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Mass Tort Lawyer at Searcy Denney

Do you have questions about filing (or joining) a PFAS lawsuit? If so, an experienced mass tort lawyer at Searcy Denney can assess your legal rights and help you make informed decisions about what to do next. We represent individuals and families in mass tort cases nationwide. To inquire about scheduling a free consultation, give us a call at 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can reach you online today.