PFAS Water Litigation Lawyer in New York City

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The scientific community is concerned about a potentially dangerous group of toxins used in the manufacturing of many products. This group of toxins is known as PFAS, and these chemicals’ molecules have been linked with a vast range of dangerous health consequences, particularly when they contaminate a community’s water supply.

If you believe your water supply has been exposed to PFAS, or if you are suffering the symptoms of PFAS exposure, you may be eligible to file a claim for significant compensation. The experienced PFAS litigation attorneys at Finz & Finz, P.C. have the resources and skills to stand up to the corporations responsible for PFAS chemical contamination. Our water contamination lawyers will fight for the compensation you deserve so you can get the medical and financial assistance you need. Call or contact us online for a free consultation with a PFAS attorney today. 

What Are PFAS?

What are PFAS chemicals? What’s the PFAS meaning? PFAS stands for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. Since the 1940s, several industries nationwide and worldwide have manufactured these synthetic chemical compounds for their unique oil- and water-resistant qualities. This feature is mainly due to a chemical bond between carbon and fluorine atoms in the PFAS molecule, which chemists consider the strongest bond in nature. However, the strength of this bond makes PFAS so difficult to break down in the environment that many environmental agencies refer to them as persistent organic pollutants or “forever chemicals.”

Consequently, detectable levels of PFAS chemicals are found in the blood serum of human beings and animals worldwide, in addition to soil, air, and water supplies. Once inside the human body, the half-life of some PFAS chemicals is roughly eight years. In 2017, the Environmental Working Group reported that water supplies in 27 states had PFAS contamination, affecting approximately 15 million people.

Where Are PFAS Used?

While a treaty signed at the Stockholm Convention prompted a phasing out of “long-chain” PFAS chemicals in the early 2000s, newer varieties of PFAS have persisted in production and use. As such, companies such as 3M and DuPont continue to rake in considerable profits by selling PFAS chemicals and products, chiefly via water- and stain-repellant textiles for furniture, carpets, and fabrics. The chemicals are also commonly used in emulsifiers for polishes, paints, and lubricants. 

Other uses of PFAS include:

• Fire-fighting foams and flame retardants
• Chemical-resistant coatings
• Pesticides
• Hydraulic fluids for automobiles and aircraft
• Non-stick cookware coating
• Food packaging
• Solar panels
• Copier and printer components
• Chrome plating
• Plastics

The industrial waste from manufacturing these products is the primary way PFAS chemicals enter the water supply. The contamination can happen as waste materials enter rivers and streams or when rainwater carries molecules from contaminated soil into underground aquifers. Contaminated water sources are also common near fire training facilities and military bases.

Health Complications Associated with PFAS

PFAS exposure is linked to a wide array of concerning health effects, particularly increased risks of certain cancers. The most common health complications associated with PFAS contamination include:

• Cancer – Multiple studies connect high PFAS levels in the body with increased risks of kidney, testicular, prostate, bladder, and thyroid cancers. Evidence also links PFAS to pancreatic, liver, and breast cancers.
• Decreased immune response – Studies show that PFAS chemicals can weaken the body’s immune system, making people more prone to infections and illness. PFAS exposure may also reduce vaccine effectiveness.
• High cholesterol – Significant increases in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides are observed consistently in those with PFAS buildup, raising the risks of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
• Hormone disruption – PFAS potentially disrupts proper hormone function in both women and men. This disruption can lead to developmental delays in children, fertility issues, pregnancy complications, and altered puberty timing.
• Liver damage – Elevated liver enzymes and decreased liver function are linked to PFAS exposure, leading to serious conditions like enlarged livers, tissue damage, and cirrhosis.
• Thyroid disease – High PFAS levels are strongly associated with an increased risk of thyroid disease, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. These effects occur because PFAS chemicals disrupt thyroid hormone levels.
• Ulcerative colitis – There is evidence that exposure to certain PFAS chemicals like PFOA and PFOS increases the risk of developing ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease.

It is worth noting that scientists are still discovering the long-term health effects of PFAS chemicals, with new links emerging frequently. 

Who’s Eligible for Compensation in PFAS Lawsuits?

If you or a loved one has suffered any health issues after drinking water contaminated by PFAS chemicals, you may have a claim for financial compensation. Those eligible to file a PFAS lawsuit include:

• Anyone diagnosed with cancer, thyroid disease, liver damage, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, or other health conditions linked to PFAS exposure after drinking contaminated water over some time. The longer the exposure, the higher the risks.
• People who lived, worked, or went to school in a location where PFAS entered the public water supply, especially if consumption was frequent over many years. Military veterans who lived on bases with contaminated water sources may also be eligible.
• Children who were exposed to PFAS chemicals in utero if they were born to a mother who drank contaminated water during pregnancy. Developmental issues may emerge later in life.
• Anyone with blood tests showing elevated PFAS levels. This indicates a buildup of chemicals in the body and higher risks of associated diseases.
• People who have incurred medical monitoring and lab testing costs due to PFAS exposure concerns. Ongoing testing is often necessary after the discovery of contamination.
• Property owners whose land or well water became contaminated with high levels of PFAS, resulting in lowered property values.

Our attorneys can assess the details of your specific situation to determine whether you are eligible to take legal action against those responsible for the PFAS contamination.

Compensation Available in PFAS Claims

If you are eligible for a PFAS lawsuit, our attorneys will fight to help you recover every form of compensation you deserve, including:

• Loss of consortium – Spouses can receive compensation for damage to their marital relationship if their partner suffered health consequences of PFAS.
• Lost wages – If illness from PFAS contamination prevented you from working, you can claim these lost wages as damages. You can also claim future lost earning capacity.
• Medical costs – You can recover expenses and future costs for medical treatment related to PFAS exposure. Costs may include hospital bills, drugs, therapy, and diagnostic testing.
• Medical monitoring – Your financial award can cover the cost of ongoing diagnostic testing to monitor PFAS levels and screen for associated diseases.
• Pain and suffering – Compensation is available for the physical and emotional impacts of diseases caused by PFAS, helping to account for reduced quality of life.
• Property damages – If PFAS contamination has reduced your property value, you can claim these losses. Costs of remediation and installing water filtration systems may also be recoverable.
• Punitive damages – In cases of gross negligence by PFAS manufacturers, punitive damages may be awarded as further punishment.

The exact value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries and losses. Our attorneys will fight for maximum compensation under the law for everything you endured. We only collect fees if we recover compensation for you.

How Can Our Attorneys Help?

Our firm’s dedicated PFAS litigation attorneys have the knowledge and resources to handle these complex environmental contamination cases. Here is how we can help if you were affected by PFAS:

• Thorough investigation – We will gather water tests, medical records, and other evidence to prove that PFAS exposure caused your injuries.
• Determine liability – Our lawyers will establish which manufacturers, contractors, and other parties are responsible for PFAS entering your water supply.
• Negotiate settlement – We will aggressively negotiate for a fair PFAS compensation package without a drawn-out trial. Our team has a proven track record of securing favorable settlements.
• File a lawsuit – If the other side refuses to offer a satisfactory settlement, we have the litigation experience to take your case to trial in a PFAS lawsuit. We are not afraid to stand up to large PFAS manufacturers in court.

Suffering From Health Complications After PFAS Exposure? Talk to an Experienced PFAS Attorney in New York Today

Discovering that you have an illness due to PFAS exposure in your water supply can feel overwhelming. Many people do not know where to begin after receiving such shocking news. However, it is vital to remember that you do not have to take the next steps alone. 

The experienced PFAS litigation attorneys at Finz & Finz, P.C. are on the front line of helping New Yorkers win the compensation they deserve from the PFAS manufacturers. Our powerhouse legal team has secured over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for our deserving clients. Let us continue that winning track record with you. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you.