PFAS Thyroid Cancer Lawsuit [2025 Update]
Evidence shows that exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) can increase someone’s risk of developing thyroid cancer by as much as 56%. Hundreds of people across the country are drinking water that was poisoned with PFAS by manufacturing plants, military operations, and agricultural activities. After developing thyroid cancer, many people are filing lawsuits against the manufacturers responsible for contaminating their water supplies.
Lawsuits against PFAS manufacturers say they knew about the dangers of PFAS but continued to use these so-called “forever chemicals.” On this page, you can learn about the connection between PFAS and thyroid cancer, who is eligible for compensation, and the process of bringing a PFAS thyroid cancer lawsuit.
About the PFAS Thyroid Cancer Lawsuit
PFAS and Thyroid Cancer: What You Should Know
Studies Link PFAS to Thyroid Cancer
Types of Thyroid Cancer Linked to PFAS
Thyroid Cancer Symptoms From PFAS Exposure
Who Qualifies to File a PFAS Thyroid Cancer Lawsuit?
How to File a PFAS Thyroid Cancer Claim
PFAS Thyroid Cancer Settlement Amounts
PFAS and Thyroid Cancer: What You Should Know
Exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) through contaminated drinking water is known to increase someone’s risk of developing thyroid cancer and other serious diseases. For example, researchers have found that PFAS exposure increases someone’s risk of thyroid, kidney, testicular, prostate, and breast cancer.
There is a strong association between PFAS and thyroid cancer, possibly because PFAS change how humans metabolize fatty acids. One of the roles of the thyroid is to help the body break down and create more fat. Researchers believe that PFAS can interrupt this process, making the person more vulnerable to cancer.
Sources of PFAS exposure include contaminated drinking water, household goods (like nonstick cookware), industrial spill-off (such as chemical waste from factories), and military fire-fighting operations. People who work in the agricultural field or who live close to commercial farms may also be exposed to PFAS in the soil or water because of PFAS in pesticides and the use of biosolids as fertilizer.
Studies Link PFAS to Thyroid Cancer
Researchers have confirmed that the thyroid is “particularly sensitive” to PFAS, including PFBS, a subtype of forever chemicals. PFAS can build up in someone’s system over a long period of time and prevent the thyroid from doing its job. The combination may increase someone’s risk of thyroid disease and cancer.
For example, a 2022 study looked at residents in a New Hampshire town and the PFAS levels in their blood. These residents had double the amount of PFAS in their blood compared to the rest of the United States because of a heavily contaminated water supply. The researchers found that this population had a significantly higher rate of thyroid cancer. A 2023 study reinforced this finding, noting that people living in communities where the water had higher concentrations of PFAS had an elevated risk of thyroid cancer.
2023 Study Finds PFAS Increases Rate of Thyroid Cancer by 56%
In Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and thyroid cancer risk, researchers directly investigated the connection between thyroid cancer and PFAS exposure. There were 88 participants with thyroid cancer and 88 who did not have it. The participants with and without cancer were matched, such as by age, smoking status, gender, BMI, and race.
The researchers discovered that having a high amount of PFAS in a person’s blood increased their thyroid cancer risk by 56 percent. The authors noted that they only studied a couple of the dozens of PFAS in circulation. Because of this, they stressed the importance of doing additional studies to find the health risks of other types of PFAS in the environment. They believe similar findings may be found for other types of PFAS as well.
Types of Thyroid Cancer Linked to PFAS
Forever chemicals may cause several different types of thyroid cancer. For example, exposure to PFAS is associated with papillary thyroid cancer, which is a common form of thyroid cancer. This type of cancer usually affects glands in your thyroid and the lymph nodes, and it is highly treatable if caught early. However, many patients do not show any symptoms, so they may not know they have it until it has progressed.
Follicular thyroid cancer also affects the glands of the thyroid and is very treatable, and it has a suspected connection with PFAS. However, scientists have not studied the relationship between PFAS and follicular cancer thoroughly because it is less common.
Anaplastic and medullary thyroid cancers are very rare, and the exact causes of each are still being investigated. Scientists have shown that PFAS exposure can significantly increase someone’s overall risk of thyroid cancer, which may include their chance of developing medullary or anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Thyroid Cancer Symptoms From PFAS Exposure
Many people who have thyroid cancer are not aware that they have it because they do not show symptoms, or the symptoms they have are subtle. Some of the signs of thyroid cancer include:
- Voice changes, like your voice becoming hoarse
- Persistent tightness in the throat
- Problems swallowing
- One or more lumps on your neck
- Neck or throat pain
If someone is experiencing any of the above symptoms and believes they may have been in contact with PFAS, they should reach out to their doctor. If they are diagnosed with thyroid cancer or thyroid disease, they may benefit from talking to a lawyer. A legal professional can help someone understand if they are entitled to compensation for their PFAS-related condition.
Who Qualifies to File a PFAS Thyroid Cancer Lawsuit?
If you were exposed to PFAS and diagnosed with thyroid cancer, you may qualify to file a lawsuit. For example, if you lived or worked in places where the water was contaminated with PFAS, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the companies who contaminated that location. Places around manufacturing plants or military bases are commonly contaminated with PFAS. Additionally, if you are a veteran or service member who was stationed at a base with PFAS contamination, you may be entitled to damages. Similarly, if you develop cancer and worked in a profession that commonly used AFFF fire-fighting foam, you may be eligible for a lawsuit.
People who are not sure if PFAS is to blame for their thyroid cancer are encouraged to talk to a knowledgeable attorney about their rights. PFAS attorneys are familiar with potential areas with contaminated water. They can help people identify whether toxins in their water or environment may have caused them to develop thyroid cancer.
How to File a PFAS Thyroid Cancer Claim
Those wanting to sue a PFAS manufacturer for contaminating their water supply will need to follow a specific process. Some of the steps involved are outlined below:
- Step One: Consult an attorney that handles PFAS thyroid cancer cases.
- Step Two: Collaborate with the lawyer to collect information to prove the PFAS contamination and the losses associated with your cancer.
- Step Three: Write a complaint making allegations against the at-fault company.
- Step Four: Lawyers on both sides exchange information and interview witnesses and experts.
- Step Five: Try to settle the case and, if they cannot settle, prepare for trial.
King Law has been representing victims of PFAS contamination for many years. We understand the science connecting thyroid cancer to long-term exposure to forever chemicals in the water and environment. We can help people bring a well-researched thyroid cancer lawsuit against the companies that dumped PFAS into water supplies and soils.
If you were exposed to PFAS in drinking water, you may be able to join the group lawsuit against PFAS manufacturers.
PFAS Thyroid Cancer Settlement Amounts
If someone with thyroid cancer wins their PFAS contamination lawsuit, they may qualify for a settlement package that covers the full scope of their damages. Some successful claimants may receive up to $175,000 to $350,000 or more; however, these financial awards are decided on an individual basis.
The value of someone’s claim depends on factors like how severe their thyroid cancer is, how long they were unknowingly exposed to PFAS, and the overall strength of their allegations. Knowledgeable attorneys can provide personalized estimates about the worth of someone’s claim and their likelihood of success.
Contact a PFAS Thyroid Cancer Lawyer Today
We trust our government and those in our communities to keep our waters free of cancer-causing substances. However, recent reports have shown that companies and the military have been contaminating water supplies with forever chemicals, substances known to significantly increase someone’s thyroid cancer risk. Evidence suggests PFAS manufacturers knew they were poisoning the water, and they also knew how dangerous PFAS were to human health.
If you have thyroid cancer and lived, worked, or served in an area with contaminated water, you may qualify for compensation. King Law is ready to meet with you to discuss your situation and prepare to champion your legal rights. Get in touch with our intake specialists today by calling (585) 496-2648. They can help you with the onboarding process and schedule your free case review by an experienced lawyer.