AFFF Lawsuit Settlement Amounts (2026 Update): What Victims May Receive

A global settlement in the aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) multidistrict litigation has not been announced. However, over $15 billion has been paid in settlements in past class action, government-led, and individual AFFF claims. More than 15,000 AFFF claims are still pending and unresolved in the active and growing MDL. These claims allege illnesses related to PFAS-contaminated drinking water.

Some legal analysts believe that future global AFFF settlements could result in individual payouts of up to $20,000 to $600,000 for some qualifying claimants. AFFF victims and their surviving family members are encouraged to talk to a lawyer about whether they may qualify for compensation.

It is important to note that all projected figures in this article are inherently uncertain because a global settlement does not yet exist and may not be created. Past mass tort frameworks suggest compensation could vary widely depending on case-specific factors.

About the AFFF Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

AFFF Lawsuit Settlement Updates and News (2026)

The updates below provide information about aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) lawsuits and legal developments. Many individuals, state and municipal governments, and organizations believe that AFFF manufacturers were aware that AFFF contained PFAS (forever chemicals) and did not warn the public. Some lawsuits have also accused AFFF manufacturers of allowing AFFF runoff, which may have contained PFAS, to get into public drinking water supplies.

April 1, 2026: Number of Federally-Consolidated AFFF Lawsuits Surpasses 15,000

As of April 1, 2026, there are at least 15,222 lawsuits that are included in the AFFF multidistrict litigation (MDL). Some of the people who have joined the AFFF MDL claim that they developed cancer after being exposed to AFFF at work or in their drinking water. Bellwether trials were postponed in 2025 because of an influx of new AFFF claims. Some lawyers believe that a global AFFF settlement might be reached in 2026 or 2027. People who believe they may qualify for compensation are encouraged to talk to an attorney about their legal rights to an AFFF settlement.

August 15, 2025: Judge Cancels Bellwether Trials To Allow More AFFF Claimants Time to Join the MDL

The judge overseeing the AFFF multidistrict litigation has entered an order canceling upcoming trial dates. The judge said the decision was based on the possibility that a large number of potential claims may join the MDL soon. The judge thought it would be beneficial to delay the Bellwether trials until after the other parties join the MDL and more information is learned about their claims.

May 13, 2025: New Jersey Attorney General Proposes AFFF Settlement with 3M Over Alleged PFAS Contamination

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin has announced a proposed settlement against 3M, a manufacturer of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used in firefighting efforts. According to the announcement, 3M was accused of polluting New Jersey’s drinking water supplies with AFFF, which contains forever chemicals (called PFAS). Some studies suggest that PFAS in AFFF may be associated with higher risks for developing some types of cancer and other diseases. The settlement resolves claims involving some public water suppliers in New Jersey. However, New Jersey citizens may still pursue compensation by filing a lawsuit if they believe they got sick from AFFF contamination in their drinking water.

February 2025: Judge Encourages AFFF Claimants in MDL to Comply with Required Disclosures

The judge entered an order that clarifies how and when some AFFF claimants in the MDL should complete Plaintiff Fact Sheets. Turning in the required fact sheets is an important part of the MDL legal process because it makes sure each side has the information needed to understand, respond to, defend, and settle an AFFF claim. According to the judge’s order, some of the plaintiffs in the AFFF MDL had not turned in the documents they needed to yet. The judge’s order gives information needed to help clear up any misunderstandings about those requirements and clarify when and how those fact sheets should be submitted.

December 7, 2018: Panel Approves Request to Create a Consolidated AFFF Multidistrict Litigation

The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has granted a request to consolidate eligible AFFF claims into a centralized multidistrict litigation (MDL). In Re: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2837) consolidates claims filed by people who developed thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, or kidney, testicular, thyroid, or liver cancer and who were exposed to PFAS in their drinking water. State and municipal governments have also joined the MDL to recover compensation for AFFF-contaminated drinking water supplies.

What Are the Possible AFFF Lawsuit Settlement Amounts?

A global AFFF settlement for personal injury claimants has not been finalized, but some estimate that future payouts may reach between $20,000 to $600,000 or more. Settlements in individual cases may be calculated based on that person’s specific losses, the strength of their case, and other factors. However, settlements in group or class action claims may follow a tiered structure. In that arrangement, claimants would receive a payout based on the tier or subclass they fall into, as laid out in the settlement agreement.

Not everyone who files a lawsuit receives a settlement or an award from a jury. The merits of each person’s case are examined individually. Compensation is not guaranteed, and an experienced lawyer can advise on individual legal options.

Some past settlements of AFFF cases have involved public utility systems and state or municipal governments. Civilians did not receive compensation directly for their AFFF-related losses under those agreements. Instead, some public utilities were compensated for the costs of tracking and addressing PFAS in the water systems.

Settlement values discussed on this page are estimates based on publicly available information, prior litigation frameworks, and commentary. No attorney can guarantee compensation.

Why Haven’t AFFF Settlements Been Finalized Yet?

Global AFFF settlements for personal injuries have not been finalized because the multidistrict litigation is still moving through the legal process. Large, centralized litigation can take several years to resolve.

Bellwether trials in the AFFF MDL had been scheduled for October 2025, but the court delayed them after discovering that many new AFFF claims could be filed in the MDL in 2025. The judge thought it would be best to postpone the trials until those cases could join the AFFF MDL and more information could be learned about the claimants, their losses, and other case matters.

In an MDL, Bellwether trials are real trials of individual cases in the group lawsuit. The outcomes directly affect the individual plaintiff in that case. However, the bellwether trial outcome can also shape strategies and settlement amounts in the multidistrict litigation, too. As bellwether trials are completed in the federal AFFF group action, the results can help inform how individual and global settlements are structured in the remaining cases in the MDL.

How Much Have Companies Like 3M and DuPont Already Paid in AFFF Settlements?

Collectively, some companies have already paid out over several billion dollars in AFFF settlements to some public water utilities, city governments, and individuals. Several large lawsuits filed by public utilities have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements. Many lawsuits filed by individuals alleging injuries caused by PFAS-contaminated drinking water have not been settled.

AFFF Settlements Paid to Individual Claimants

A global settlement has not been reached yet in the AFFF multidistrict litigation. However, some people who filed individual lawsuits have received settlements. Here are some of the settlements that may have been paid to individuals in the AFFF MDL:

• An Ohio man with cancer may have settled his and his wife’s AFFF claims against State Industrial Products Corporation for $35,000.
• A woman may have received a $112,500 wrongful death settlement after her husband died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that was allegedly caused by PFAS-containing firefighting foam made by the Leo M. Ellebracht Company.
• In 2021, a class action settlement of up to $15 million (combined) may have been paid out by Tyco Fire Products, Chemguard, and Chemdesign Products to some eligible residents of part of Peshtigo, Wisconsin.

In the above cases, the claimants filed lawsuits against multiple companies. They may have received separate settlements from the other companies that they sued, too. Future claimants may receive a personalized settlement that reflects their injuries, their losses, and other case-specific factors. Or they might be awarded a portion of a class action or group settlement. Or they may not receive any compensation.

AFFF Settlements Paid to Public Utilities and Governments

Companies who made AFFF products, like 3M and DuPont, have paid out some group settlements to public water utilities and governments. For example, in 2024, 3M entered into a settlement valued at up to $12.5 billion to resolve many claims filed by eligible municipal water systems. On May 12, 2025, 3M and New Jersey agreed on a $450 million proposed settlement to compensate eligible public water suppliers for the costs of testing for and removing PFAS.

In 2023, DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva also reached a proposed $1.185 billion settlement to resolve some PFAS contamination claims involving U.S. public water utilities. Likewise, BASF entered into a $316.5 million settlement arrangement in 2024 to resolve some claims filed by public water utilities. Carrier Global also agreed to pay a $730 million settlement to address AFFF water contamination claims against it in 2024.

However, these settlements focused on compensating state and local governments and public utilities for testing for forever chemicals (like run-off from AFFF) and removing them from the drinking water supplies. Citizens who filed personal injury and wrongful death claims were not directly compensated under these arrangements.

How Will AFFF Settlement Amounts Be Structured?

AFFF settlements may be structured as individual or group agreements. AFFF settlements that are made between a claimant and the company being sued may be for a specific amount that is paid as a lump sum or periodic payment.

However, group or global settlements may use a tiered or points-based system to calculate how much each AFFF claimant receives. For example, someone may be awarded points based on their cancer diagnosis, history of firefighting foam or PFAS exposure, age at diagnosis, and other losses. Those points may be combined to determine their payout Tier.

Using a Tiered or points-based system may be an efficient way to resolve a large number of AFFF claims at once while also personalizing some of the compensation packages for each person.

What Are the Estimated AFFF Settlement Amounts by Tier?

There is no global AFFF settlement, so there is no definite amount that each Tier will receive. Additionally, a future settlement may not have a tier structure. However, some legal professionals believe that individual Tier 1 claimants may be awarded a higher amount (up to $200,000 or more) if they were diagnosed with cancer at a young age, were exposed to AFFF for a long period of time, or have other extenuating factors.

Some legal professionals believe people whose claims fall into the Tier 2, 3, or lower range may receive less (e.g., up to $20,000 to $75,000). However, these figures are not a guarantee because there is no global AFFF settlement at this time and compensation is never guaranteed. Actual settlement values may be higher or lower than these estimates, and some plaintiffs may not receive a settlement or compensation.

Which Injuries Could Qualify for the Highest AFFF Settlement Amounts?

If a settlement agreement is reached between attorneys for plaintiffs and attorneys for AFFF manufacturers, a judge will need to approve the terms of the settlement. If that agreement is reached, plaintiffs would know which AFFF injuries are likely to qualify for the highest payouts.

However, in group settlements, the most serious injuries and those with the strongest scientific backing may result in the highest settlements. Based on those criteria, there could be injuries that qualify someone for a higher PFAS settlement tier, should a tiered settlement be created.

Injuries that may qualify for the highest AFFF settlement amounts include the following*:

• Kidney cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Liver cancer
• Thyroid cancer

Note: More severe diagnoses may receive greater compensation, but no AFFF personal injury framework has been finalized. There is no certain way to know at this time which injuries may receive the highest amount of compensation.

Several studies have suggested a strong association between exposure to PFAS in drinking water and an increased risk of developing the above cancers. Other studies have also suggested that people who are exposed to PFAS may be more likely to develop ulcerative colitis or thyroid disease.

Cancer can be emotionally, physically, and financially costly to treat, diagnose, and manage. Because of that, eligible AFFF claimants who have been diagnosed with kidney, testicular, liver, or thyroid cancer may qualify for a higher-valued settlement Tier.

What Factors Might Determine Your AFFF Settlement Value?

Some of the factors that can influence how much your settlement might be include:

• How the settlement is structured
• You or your loved one’s specific diagnosis
• The severity of the person’s injuries
• The number of claimants included in the settlement
• The strength of the person’s case and evidence
• How long the person was exposed to PFAS
• Their age when they were diagnosed with an AFFF-related illness

Someone can help strengthen their AFFF claim by keeping records of where they worked, where they served, and their medical history before and after the exposure to PFAS. These documents may help them prove that they were exposed to PFAS, how it impacted their health, and what compensation Tier they may be entitled to.

Who Qualifies to File an AFFF Lawsuit?

Based on our law firm’s criteria, someone may qualify to file an AFFF lawsuit if they were exposed to PFAS-containing firefighting foam or PFAS in their drinking water for at least one year and were diagnosed with one of the following diseases:

• Kidney cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Liver cancer
• Thyroid disease
• Ulcerative colitis

These criteria were developed by our law firm and may change as the AFFF lawsuits progress. The most effective way to understand if you meet our updated requirements to file an aqueous film-forming foam contamination claim is to contact us directly.

When Will AFFF Lawsuit Settlements Be Paid?

There is no AFFF settlement payout date at this time because a global AFFF settlement has not been reached or announced. However, some legal professionals think that settlements may be reached in 2026 or 2027 after Bellwether trials or extensive settlement negotiations are completed. Settlements of individual cases may pay out compensation more quickly than larger, global settlements involving massive corporations (like 3M).

How Do AFFF Settlements Compare to Other PFAS or Mass Tort Cases?

AFFF settlements may be similar to prior PFAS and mass tort litigation. For example, in 2017, DuPont and Chemours agreed to pay about $670 million, collectively, to some residents of the Mid-Ohio Valley region who say their water was contaminated with C8 (a type of PFAS, PFOA). At the time the settlement was reached, there were about 3,500 claimants in that specific PFAS contamination lawsuit.

As part of the settlement, DuPont and Chemours also agreed to add millions to the settlement fund each year to cover future liabilities from past PFAS contamination in that area. DuPont and Chemours also said they would help clean up the water in the affected communities. A future settlement in the current, separate AFFF MDL may have similar terms.

What Is the Current Status of the AFFF Lawsuit MDL?

In re: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2873) is centralized in the federal District of South Carolina. As of April 1, 2026, it has about 15,000 pending lawsuits that have been filed or transferred into. The AFFF MDL is active, but claim intake has been paused by the judge overseeing the trial. However, the MDL could start accepting new claims at a point in the future. Pre-trial preparations, mediation, and settlement discussions are underway.

What Should I Do If I Think I Qualify for an AFFF Settlement?

People who think they were exposed to aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and were diagnosed with a qualifying illness are encouraged to call an attorney to schedule a free case evaluation. Their attorney can help them gather evidence to support their AFFF contamination claim, file their lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires, and help them pursue a future AFFF settlement if additional filing options arise.

Contact King Law About AFFF Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

Contact King Law today by calling (585) 326-8551 or submitting an online form to tell us how AFFF may have affected your health. We have robust experience fighting for people who got cancer or another disease because of PFAS contamination in their drinking water. We have the tools and resources necessary to help you seek fair compensation in a future AFFF settlement or trial verdict, should the opportunity arise. We work to pursue the strongest compensation available under the law based on each client’s circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References:

1. What are PFAS chemicals? – EWG.
2. Firefighting Foam Chemicals: DOD Is Investigating PFAS and Responding to Contamination, but Should Report More Cost Information – Government Accountability Office.
3. NFPA 30 – National Fire Protection Association.
4. What are the health effects of PFAS? – Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
5. NTP Monograph: Immunotoxicity Associated with Exposure to Perfluorooctanoic Acid or Perfluorooctane Sulfonate – National Toxicology Program, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
6. PFAS – Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances – U.S. Department of veteran Affairs.
7. Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), and Related Chemicals – American Cancer Society.
8. Zwitterionic, cationic, and anionic fluorinated chemicals in aqueous film forming foam formulations and groundwater from U.S. military bases by nonaqueous large-volume injection HPLC-MS/MS – Will J Backe, Thomas C Day, Jennifer A Field.
9. Quantitative determination of fluorotelomer sulfonates in groundwater by LC MS/MS – Melissa M Schultz, Douglas F Barofsky, Jennifer A Field.
10. Identification of Novel Fluorochemicals in Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Used by the US Military – Benjamin J. Place and Jennifer A. Field.
11. What’s the PFAS Action Act and How Does It Impact Fire Protection – Vanguard Fire & Security.
12. PFAS Exposure and Risk of Cancer – National Cancer Institute.
13. 710 Military Sites With Known or Suspected Discharges of PFAS – EWG.
14. DuPont settles lawsuits over leak of chemical used to make Teflon – Reuters.
15. 3M Gets Preliminary Nod for $54 Million PFAS Dumping Settlement – Bloomberg Law.
16. The New Foam – The magazine of the National Fire Protection Association.
17. PFAS-containing firefighting foam – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
18. Identifying and Managing Aqueous Film-Forming Foam-Derived Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Environment – Andrea Leeson, Timothy Thompson, Hans F. Stroo, Richard H. Anderson, Jason Speicher, Marc A. Mills, Janice Willey, Charles Coyle, Rajat Ghosh, Carmen Lebrón, Cara Patton.
19. PFAS Explained – United States Environmental Protection Agency.
20. Report: ‘Forever Chemicals’ Contaminate Drinking Water In Dozens Of Cities – CBS News Chicago.
21. DOD Funds Firefighting Foam Research for a PFAS-Free Alternative – U.S. Department of Defense.
22. EPA, U.S. Department of Defense, and State Partners Launch Technical Challenge Seeking Innovative Ways to Destroy PFAS in Firefighting Foam – United States Environmental Protection Agency.
23. Firefighting Foam and PFAS – Michigan PFAS Action Response Team.
24. Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva Reach Comprehensive PFAS Settlement with U.S. Water Systems – Business Wire.
25. Top US chemical firms to pay $1.2bn to settle water contamination lawsuits – The Guardian.
26. 3M Resolves Claims by Public Water Suppliers, Supports Drinking Water Solutions for Vast Majority of Americans – 3M Press release.
27. 3M Reaches $10.3 Billion Settlement in ‘Forever Chemicals’ Suits – The New York Times.