PFAS Water Contamination Lawyers [2025 Update]
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have contaminated drinking water supplies across the nation and caused people to develop serious illnesses. Individuals and public utilities affected by this contamination are hiring lawyers to represent their PFAS water contamination cases in court.
Our lawyers and legal partners at King Law represent people who have developed cancer and other diseases after exposure to water contaminated with PFAS. Our attorneys also represent utilities and municipalities whose water supplies have been contaminated with PFAS.
Individuals, cities, and water suppliers have filed lawsuits nationwide seeking compensation against the manufacturers of PFAS-containing products. This page will help potential plaintiffs understand what PFAS water contamination lawyers do and how they can help secure the largest recovery possible.
About the PFAS Water Contamination Lawyers:
What Is a PFAS Water Contamination Lawyer?
How Can a PFAS Lawyer Help Me With My Water Contamination Lawsuit?
What Cases Are PFAS Water Contamination Lawyers Taking?
Personal Injury Claims From People Diagnosed with PFAS-Related Diseases
Municipalities and Cities with PFAS in Drinking Water
AFFF and Military Base Water Contamination
Can a PFAS Lawyer Help Determine My Eligibility?
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a PFAS Lawyer?
What Is a PFAS Water Contamination Lawyer?
A PFAS water contamination lawyer is a licensed attorney who represents individuals, cities, or water suppliers who have suffered losses related to PFAS exposure. In particular, a lawyer files a lawsuit or takes legal action against chemical manufacturers, such as 3M, Tyco, BASF, and DuPont. The PFAS lawsuit (claim) is filed on behalf of a plaintiff who has suffered harm after being exposed to water contaminated with PFAS. Similarly, municipalities can hire an attorney to recuperate the costs of cleaning up a water supply. Common illnesses related to PFAS exposure include testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, thyroid disease, and ulcerative colitis.
A PFAS lawyer is often critical in helping secure compensation on behalf of individuals or communities that have sustained damages resulting from PFAS exposure. Damages in a PFAS water contamination lawsuit may include compensation for medical bills, water remediation costs, and damages to wells or soil on a property.
What Does a PFAS Lawyer Do?
A PFAS water contamination lawyer has several responsibilities, from assessing the validity of a claim to representing a client throughout the legal process. Water contamination lawyers work to secure compensation for those affected physically or financially by drinking water or land contaminated with PFAS.
Potential duties of a PFAS water contamination lawyer:
- Determine a client’s eligibility for filing a claim
- Investigate exposure history
- Gather evidence, including water testing records and health records
- Examine the claim to ensure all legal requirements are met
- Interview and communicate with medical and environmental experts
- File the claim in the appropriate jurisdiction, including joining in multidistrict litigation (MDL) in some cases
- Negotiate a settlement on behalf of the plaintiff
- Represent the client throughout the legal process, including at trial when necessary
How Can a PFAS Lawyer Help Me With My Water Contamination Lawsuit?
A PFAS water contamination lawyer can help in several ways. Foremost, for individuals diagnosed with cancer or another chronic illness after exposure to PFAS, a lawyer can evaluate the claim to ensure eligibility. They will also review the case to determine the potential compensation available. An attorney will help collect the necessary evidence to substantiate the case and will provide guidance throughout the legal process.
For cities, towns, states, or municipalities, a PFAS attorney may work to prove that the public water system was contaminated with PFAS and will pursue reimbursement related to remediation expenses. Lawyers in PFAS water contamination lawsuits handle all legal aspects of the case so that plaintiffs can focus on recovery and remediation.
What Cases Are PFAS Water Contamination Lawyers Taking?
PFAS water contamination lawyers are taking a number of types of cases, including those filed by people sickened by PFAS and those involving municipalities or cities that have contaminated water. In both cases, much of the PFAS contamination has originated from aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) runoff from military bases and airports. Thousands of people have already filed lawsuits against chemical manufacturers who make AFFF and other products containing PFAS. Because so many people have been harmed in a similar way by the same product, a group lawsuit has been formed. This multidistrict litigation (MDL) is called MDL No. 2873: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) Products Liability Litigation. Both individuals and municipalities can join this group lawsuit for PFAS contamination.
Personal Injury Claims From People Diagnosed with PFAS-Related Diseases
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that some of the PFAS may cause cancer in humans. In particular, the IARC found that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was carcinogenic and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) was possibly carcinogenic. Cancers associated with PFAS exposure include kidney cancer, liver cancer, thyroid cancer, and testicular cancer. Other serious health conditions, such as thyroid disease and ulcerative colitis, have also been associated with exposure to the toxic chemicals.
The attorneys at King Law are investigating PFAS water contamination lawsuits with plaintiffs diagnosed with the following illnesses:
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Ulcerative colitis
Municipalities and Cities with PFAS in Drinking Water
PFAS water contamination lawyers often represent water utility companies and local governments or municipalities. These entities may be able to file a claim if their water supplies have been contaminated with PFAS. An attorney can help to seek compensation to help cover remediation costs, including upgrades to filtration systems, cleanup efforts, and future monitoring.
Two multi-billion dollar settlements have been reached to help compensate water suppliers for the damages caused by PFAS contamination. On April 1, 2024, 3M Company announced a $10.3 billion agreement with water providers. The settlement, which is to be paid out over 13 years, is to support PFAS remediation for U.S. public water suppliers. Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva, also reached a $1.185 billion PFAS settlement to pay similar claims.
AFFF and Military Base Water Contamination
PFAS water contamination lawyers also represent individuals who have suffered an adverse health condition after being exposed to PFAS on military bases across the country. It is believed that a primary source of contamination is aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which was used by the military in firefighting training exercises for decades. Soil, groundwater, and surface water samples in and around military installations frequently test high for PFAS, including those toxic to humans. It is believed that millions of servicemembers and their families may have been exposed to PFAS as a result of contaminated water. Claims for AFFF-related lawsuits generally include plaintiffs who have been diagnosed with certain types of cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, or other chronic illnesses.
Can a PFAS Lawyer Help Determine My Eligibility?
During the initial consultation, an attorney’s legal team will assess your case to determine whether you may be eligible to file a PFAS claim. It is important to note that an attorney may need to collect evidence to substantiate your claim and ensure all criteria are met prior to filing.
Eligibility requirements in a PFAS water contamination case may include:
- Proof of exposure: A person must have been exposed to contaminated water for at least 6 to 12 months to qualify for compensation.
- Medical diagnosis: A person must have been diagnosed with a qualifying illness, including testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, ulcerative colitis, or thyroid disease.
- Damages: A person or entity must provide proof of actual damages either as a result of a debilitating illness or due to water supply contamination.
After a diagnosis, many individuals are unsure about how and when they were exposed to PFAS. An experienced attorney will investigate the claim to determine the duration of exposure and any other information that may help to strengthen the case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a PFAS Lawyer?
PFAS water contamination lawyers generally work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning there are no fees unless you win. Nothing is paid upfront by the client, and attorneys are only paid if they receive compensation through a settlement or verdict. This fee structure allows plaintiffs in PFAS water contamination lawsuits to pursue justice without having to make a financial investment upfront or pay fees even if they do not receive compensation.
Contact a PFAS Water Contamination Lawyer Now
If you were harmed as a result of PFAS water contamination, you may be entitled to compensation. An attorney can help to determine your eligibility for taking legal action and will work to help you receive the best compensation for your circumstances. Individuals, municipalities, or water suppliers affected by this issue are encouraged to contact King Law at (585) 496-2648 to schedule a complimentary consultation. All initial case evaluations are provided without obligation to retain the firm.