Firefighters Sue DuPont, 3M, Honeywell Over Alleged PFAS Contaminated Gear

DuPont, 3M, Honeywell Facing Lawsuits After Firefighters Claim Their Gear Is Contaminated With Toxic “Forever Chemicals” Linked To Cancer

THE BRONX, NEW YORK (July 1, 2024) – A group of Connecticut firefighters has filed a lawsuit alleging their protective gear was contaminated with PFAS linked to cancer.

The lawsuits were brought by the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, several other unions, and five firefighters. They alleged that their jackets, pants, and other turnout gear are all contaminated with PFAS.

When firefighters are sweating, these chemicals can be absorbed through their skin. The lawsuit claims that DuPont, 3M, and Honeywell failed to warn about the risks associated with their products.

In 2023, DuPont and 3M reached more than $11 billion in settlements to resolve legal claims that firefighting foam and other products with PFAS contaminated groundwater.

Liability For Illnesses Caused By PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – also known as PFAS – are widely used and long-lasting chemicals. According to the National Institutes of Health, “Human exposure to PFAS is widespread but variable by geography and occupation. PFAS is used in the aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics industries. Over time, PFAS may leak into the soil, water, and air.” There are a number of common illnesses associated with exposure to PFAS.

• Cancer
• Liver damage
• Thyroid disease
• Immune system effects
• Reproductive effects
• Developmental effects
• Kidney disease

Companies that manufacture goods for the public have a legal obligation to ensure that those products are reasonably safe. To that end, companies must rigorously test their products and comply with all regulations by the FDA and Consumer Product Safety Commission. When a company fails to warn about the dangers associated with their products, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. It is important that certain steps be taken after long-term exposure to PFAS.

• Those exposed should be medically evaluated.
• It should be determined whether any illness is linked to PFAS exposure.
• An experienced product liability attorney should be contacted.

It can be difficult to know where to begin after being diagnosed with an illness associated with exposure to PFAS. To make matters worse, companies and their insurance providers will do everything in their power to deny responsibility if people are injured by their products. This is why it is so important to seek legal counsel early on. An attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Getting Legal Help After Illnesses Caused By PFAS

We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to all of the people injured by gear sold by DuPont, 3M, and Honeywell. These companies need to be held accountable for their actions. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to prevent other dangerous products from entering the marketplace.

Have you or someone you care about been exposed to PFAS? You may have legal recourse. Our team of product liability attorneys is here to help you. We are committed to making sure that accident victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.