The lives of firefighters are not as glorious as you might think. Sure, there is ample bravado in marching into a building on fire and rescuing people who are trapped in it. You might think that burns and other bruises are what they only suffer from. But reality is much more fatal than you can imagine.
Every time a firefighter uses firefighting foam to extinguish fire flames, they invite cancer or any other chronic ailment because of the toxic chemicals in it. The AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) firefighting foam has PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) in it, which causes major harm.
These are synthetic chemicals that are available in several industrial and consumer products. The common PFAS are PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic). They are known for their capacity to resist oil, grease, and water. The list of ailments caused by AFFF exposure is plenty. It ranges from bladder, colon, kidney, and liver cancer. In the past few years, prostate cancer has been linked with this foam, which has made many people suffer from it.
This article will discuss the ailment and how victims can seek compensation to cover the damages they have endured.
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Prostate Cancer by AFFF Exposure: The Tragic Story of Danielson
In February 2022, AboutLawsuits.com shared the story of Danielson, a firefighter from Texas who died after being exposed to AFFF. The complaint was filed at the federal court in South Carolina by the estate of Michal Danielson. The firefighting foam lawsuit mentioned several defendants, such as BASF, 3M Company, DuPont De Nemours, Inc., and Buckeye Fire Equipment Company, for manufacturing AFFF that contained the carcinogen PFAS.
AFFF is widely used to extinguish fuel-based fires and also for training in firefighting centers. The lawsuit stated that Danielson had worked for the Kilgore Fire Department in Texas between 1979 and 2010. During this tenure, he was exposed to AFFF, and in 2010, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He died of cancer in February 2020, which, according to the lawsuit, could have been prevented.
Today, Danielson’s legal case is a part of many AFFF lawsuits that lawyers have filed on behalf of people who have been exposed to the chemicals and have been affected by fatal ailments.
Understanding Prostate Cancer & Its Symptoms
The PFAS in AFFF is called ‘forever chemicals’ because it doesn’t break easily. Instead, it remains in the environment and the human body and causes severe ailments. Prostate cancer is one of them that has made many firefighters lose their lives or has made them permanently dependent on medicines or chemotherapy.
Simply put, prostate cancer starts when the cells in this organ begin to grow disproportionately. It is a male gland that produces a fluid that forms a part of the semen. In its initial stages, prostate cancer almost shows no signs, and patients must be watchful of their health.
Some typical symptoms of this illness include:
- An urgent need to urinate, mostly at night.
- Abrupt urine flow.
- A sensation of burning or discomfort while urinating.
- No bowel control.
- No bladder control.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Pain experienced in the chest, hips, and lower back.
- Blood in semen or urine.
Men must keep tabs on these symptoms that point towards prostate cancer. Sometimes, there could be underlying issues as well. Getting a medical check-up and diagnosis is of paramount importance. It will ensure that a patient can file a legal complaint and seek the compensation they need to cover the pain, suffering, and losses that they have encountered because of AFFF exposure.
The Legal Solution
Firefighters, military professionals, or anyone else who has been affected by AFFF stand a chance to file a complaint and ask for the compensation that they deserve. TorHoerman Law states that to date, manufacturers 3M and DuPont have settled for more than $1 billion because of AFFF lawsuits. Today, some lawyers are taking cases from clients affected by this toxic foam after evaluating it from an initial consultation.
People today must become aware of AFFF and the health hazards that they have to undergo. But if there are medical documents to support your health issue, it becomes easier to file a lawsuit and get your monetary compensation. The lawyer can use salient evidence to develop a strong case so that the verdict is in your favor.
In conclusion, firefighters and others who were exposed to PFAS and have developed a health issue are eligible for a lawsuit. Hence, there is a need today to make use of fluorine-free alternatives that aren’t as toxic as AFFF. If you have medical proof that you suffered from AFFF exposure, the chances of getting compensated by filing a lawsuit are higher.
