Filing a Claim: What the Process Looks Like
Start by documenting your exposure. If you’re a military veteran, get your service records (DD-214) and cross-reference your duty stations against the DoD PFAS contamination list and EWG’s interactive database. Firefighters should pull together employment records, training logs, and any documentation showing which AFFF brands their departments used.
Then deal with your medical records. Gather pathology reports, treatment histories, and any physician notes connecting your condition to occupational or environmental exposure. Getting a PFAS blood test can also establish your current body burden, which makes your evidentiary record that much stronger.
You’ll also need a lawyer who actually knows this litigation. Ask about their caseload, their involvement in bellwether selection, contingency fee structure, and what realistic timelines look like. Be prepared for a long road. Mass tort cases don’t move fast. Individual resolution can take months to years depending on case strength and where settlement negotiations stand.
Don’t sit on this. Statutes of limitations apply. In many states, the clock starts when you knew or should have known about the connection between your exposure and your diagnosis.
[INTERNAL_LINK: PFAS Lawsuit 2026: How to Check If You Qualify for Compensation]VA Benefits and the PACT Act
Military veterans have a second avenue beyond civil litigation. The Department of Veterans Affairs accepts disability compensation claims for conditions linked to PFAS exposure during service. The VA hasn’t yet established a formal presumptive connection for PFAS conditions the way it has for Agent Orange. That said, claims can still succeed on a direct service connection basis if you’ve got evidence of exposure, a current diagnosis, and a medical nexus opinion.
The PACT Act of 2022 expanded VA healthcare eligibility and funded research into toxic exposures, including PFAS. If you handled AFFF or served at contaminated installations, enroll in the VA’s Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. Already in VA healthcare? Request screening for PFAS-related conditions by telling your provider about your exposure history.
[INTERNAL_LINK: How to Test Your Water for PFAS at Home]Regulatory Action on AFFF
Regulators are finally picking up the pace, according to tracking by the EWG and DoD PFAS Task Force updates. The Department of Defense has committed to phasing out PFAS-containing foam, though the transition timeline has slipped past initial targets. In April 2024, the EPA finalized the first national drinking water standard for PFAS, setting limits of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS.
Several states have already banned PFAS foam for training purposes. Some went further and banned it entirely except in emergencies where no alternative exists. The FAA has been certifying fluorine-free foam replacements for airport use since the 2018 Reauthorization Act mandated the switch. Progress? Slow.
The Bottom Line
Thousands of veterans and firefighters handled toxic PFAS chemicals through AFFF without a single warning from the companies that made it. The federal MDL, VA disability claims, and the PACT Act all offer real paths to accountability and compensation. But they all come with deadlines. And those deadlines are ticking.
The evidence connecting AFFF exposure to cancer and other serious conditions is strong, and it keeps growing. If you or someone you served with touched this foam, now is the time to document your exposure, get screened, and look into your legal options.
If you served in the military or worked as a firefighter and were exposed to AFFF, consulting a qualified attorney is a recommended first step. Most PFAS attorneys handle these cases on a contingency basis.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Every case is unique, and you should consult a qualified attorney and medical professional regarding your specific circumstances. Lawsuits don’t guarantee you’ll win money, and every case is different.
Sources:
- Department of Defense PFAS Task Force Progress Reports (2020–2025)
- Environmental Working Group (EWG) PFAS Contamination Map, ewg.org
- C8 Science Panel: Probable Link Reports (2011–2012), c8sciencepanel.org
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). PFOA/PFOS Assessment, Volume 135. December 2023.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Firefighter Cancer Study and PFAS Research.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFAS. April 2024.
- PACT Act of 2022 (Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act), Public Law 117-168.
- International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Position statements on PFAS and firefighter cancer.
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Guidance on PFAS Exposure, Testing, and Clinical Follow-Up. 2022.