Philadelphia PFAS Lawsuits

Americans are beginning to realize the extreme dangers associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The level of harm to the environment is significant, and the problem may only be getting worse. Some experts predict that PFAS litigation may eventually dwarf asbestos claims as the largest mass tort lawsuit in United States history. These chemicals may have already exposed you and your family to serious harm. If PFAS have injured you, you may be entitled to financial compensation after you file a personal injury lawsuit.

What Are PFAS?

PFAS do not represent one specific chemical substance. Instead, it is a family of synthetic substances manufactured for use in certain household and consumer products. Over 15,000 substances belong to the overall family of chemicals.

PFAS chemicals are specifically engineered to be long-lasting and to make products durable. They are known as the “forever chemical.” PFAS are supposed to be resistant to water and grease.

These chemicals may be used in the following:

• Cosmetics
• Pots and pans
• Firefighting chemicals (AFFF)
• Toys
• Popcorn
• Microwave popcorn bags

Why Are PFAS Dangerous?

Once PFAS get into an environment, they virtually never go away. The major problem is that when PFAS are in the ground, they will eventually enter the water supply. You and your family will end up drinking harmful chemicals that are extremely dangerous for human consumption. Even if you use a water filter, it cannot remove all of the toxic chemicals from your drinking water.

One global study of local water supplies found that these dangerous chemicals tainted 31 percent of samples. The problem is only worsening, as years of unregulated usage of these chemicals have left them permeating the ground near key water sources. These samples were taken in areas that were not located near potential sources of pollution.

How PFAS Manufacturers Have Put You in Danger

PFAS manufacturers have hidden their product’s dangers from the public for decades. It was not until the late 1990s that the dangers of PFAS began to become known to the general public. However, documents obtained from industry sources show that manufacturers started to realize their product’s toxicity by around 1970. This means there were three decades during which the companies who made PFAS knew that their products were harmful, yet they continued to sell them to the public and profit from them. There were indications that PFAS may have sickened workers in the late 1950s.

These documents remained secret until they were obtained in litigation through discovery. The attorney who obtained them released them to the public to show exactly how dangerous PFAS are and that the manufacturers knew all along.

PFAS Are Everywhere

There is almost no place you can go these days that is not tainted with PFAS chemicals. These chemicals are certainly in many water supplies. They even fall in the rain in the Great Lakes region. Practically every American has traces of the substances in their bloodstream.

Health Effects of PFAS

PFAS are associated with several serious and often fatal health conditions. First, PFAS have been identified as carcinogens. The level of risk depends on the type of PFAS involved. Some have been classified as a “possible carcinogen,” while others have been identified as likely carcinogens. You may be at an elevated risk of the following types of cancer if you have been exposed to PFAS:

• Kidney cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Breast cancer
• Ovarian and endometrial cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and thyroid cancer
• Childhood leukemia

In addition, PFAS chemicals are also known to cause other health effects that include:

• Low birth weight
• Higher cholesterol
• Pregnancy-induced hypertension
• Birth defects
• Lower immune response to certain vaccines
• Changes in liver enzymes

Lawsuits for PFAS Exposure

Lawsuits for PFAS-related illnesses are just beginning. Plaintiffs are suing companies that manufactured PFAS chemicals, such as 3M and DuPont, which are most associated with these substances. In addition, injured consumers are also suing companies that make products that contain PFAS for failing to disclose the risks. For example, consumers filed a class action lawsuit against a razor manufacturer for not informing them that their products contained PFAS chemicals.

These early lawsuits are just the tip of the iceberg of potential PFAS liability.  Some defense attorneys predict that PFAS cases may become American history’s largest mass tort lawsuits. The dangers of these substances are just becoming known. Further, plaintiffs may be sickened over time and may not yet have a cause of action against potential defendants.

Defendants in PFAS Lawsuits

The companies that manufactured PFAS chemicals are now defendants in product liability lawsuits. First, water systems throughout the United States have sought billions of dollars from these companies to pay for cleanup costs.

Your Philadelphia PFAS attorney would conduct a full investigation of your injuries to help you determine who you may be able to sue. They would learn the source of the PFAS chemicals that may have sickened you. Then, they could help you understand who was responsible. You may be able to sue more than one defendant in your case.

Where PFAS Lawsuits Stand Now

Defendants have settled some water pollution cases and PFAS chemicals in firefighting foams. However, plaintiffs are just beginning their legal efforts to recover compensation for their injuries from PFAS chemicals. Many of these lawsuits are just in their early phases. Mass tort lawsuits like this can take many years to resolve. The discovery process alone in your lawsuit can take years. You must hire an attorney and be patient until you can get the financial compensation you deserve.

Compensation in PFAS Lawsuits

If you win your PFAS lawsuit case, you could qualify for the following types of financial compensation:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Embarrassment and humiliation

If your loved one died from a PFAS-related illness, your family may file a wrongful death lawsuit, seeking damages when you lost a family member.

How Long Will My PFAS Lawsuit Take?

Everything depends on the nature of your specific case. It is difficult to give an exact timeline other than to tell you that your case will take a considerable amount of time.

Will My PFAS Lawsuit Settle?

There is a chance that the defendant may want to minimize their liability by entering into a settlement agreement. The chances of a settlement increase when your lawyer can put legal pressure on the defendants.

How Much Does a Philadelphia PFAS Attorney Cost?

You do not need to pay your attorney upfront at the law firm of Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C., and you owe nothing unless you win your case.

Contact the Philadelphia PFAS Lawyers at Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C. for More Information Today

The Philadelphia PFAS lawyers at Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C. can help you take on the large corporation whose negligence has injured you. Call us today at 267-861-7100 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. We have offices in Philadelphia and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and we serve clients in Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Chester County, and Norristown.