U.S. Navy Firefighting Foam Lawsuit

U.S. Navy veterans exposed to AFFF firefighting foam may have come in contact with toxic chemicals known as PFAS, which have been linked to cancer and other serious illnesses. Victims may be entitled to compensation from a Navy firefighting foam lawsuit. See if a top AFFF lawyer may be able to fight for you.

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Why Take Legal Action?

By filing a lawsuit, you can pursue financial compensation and justice from those who caused you or a loved one harm.

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore

Last updated: Feb 28, 2025

Understanding the AFFF Lawsuit for Navy Veterans

For over 50 years, the U.S. military mandated the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to extinguish flammable liquid fires such as those involving jet fuel. AFFF firefighting foam was routinely used on Navy ships like aircraft carriers to quickly suppress fires.

However, AFFF contains per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), “forever chemicals” that don’t break down naturally. Exposure to PFAS in AFFF increases the risk of cancer and other health problems, especially after they accumulate in the body.

Now, many veterans are fighting back by filing Navy firefighting foam lawsuits to hold AFFF manufacturers accountable.

Find out more about AFFF Navy lawsuits:

Thousands of military members and civilians have filed AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits.
They claim AFFF manufacturers knew about the dangers but failed to warn users.
Cancers linked to PFAS-containing AFFF include bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and lymphoma.
Navy veterans may have been exposed on ships and bases, as well as during training exercises.
3M Company, DuPont, Tyco Fire Products, and other AFFF manufacturers have been named as defendants.

If you or a loved one served as a firefighter in the U.S. Navy and was later diagnosed with an AFFF-related cancer or illness, you may be eligible for compensation. Money from a Navy firefighting foam lawsuit can help with medical bills, lost wages, and more.

LawFirm.com works with experienced personal injury lawyers who’ve secured over $9.8 billion for victims of injustice nationwide.

Get a free case review now to see if you may be eligible for Navy AFFF exposure compensation.

U.S. Navy AFFF Exposure: High-Risk Sites

The U.S. Navy used AFFF firefighting foam in a wide range of applications to combat fuel fires. By smothering high-intensity fires quickly, military firefighters protected assets and saved lives. AFFF Navy foam was also used during training drills.

Find out how Navy AFFF was used and the different ways service members may have been put at risk.

Navy Boot Camp

U.S. Navy veterans may have worked with AFFF firefighting foam during training exercises at Naval Station Great Lakes boot camp. At the facility, recruits practice hands-on training and must pass a firefighting assessment before joining the fleet.

Filing an AFFF lawsuit for Navy boot camp exposure allows you to hold negligent firefighter foam companies accountable and seek compensation for your medical bills.

Firefighting Training Drills

Training fires, typically fueled by jet fuel or other flammable liquids to replicate actual emergencies, allow U.S. Navy firefighters to practice using AFFF.

However, these exercises may have caused substantial PFAS exposure for many Navy firefighters due to the toxic firefighting foam used.

Navy Bases

U.S. Navy bases relied on firefighting foam to extinguish blazes in areas where flammable liquids and fuel are present. This includes aircraft maintenance and fueling zones, airfields, and fuel storage depots.

AFFF may also have been released on Navy bases, which can put those nearby in harm’s way. In August 2024, 1,450 gallons of AFFF were spilled at the Brunswick Naval Air Station in Maine. Efforts are underway to clean PFAS contamination on bases.

“The U.S. Department of Defense, or DOD, is among the nation’s biggest users of firefighting foam and says 80% of active and decommissioned bases require cleanup.”

– Navy Times

AFFF Foam on Navy Ships

The U.S. Navy also used AFFF to extinguish fires on destroyers, aircraft carriers, and other ships where the presence of weapons or jet fuel makes fire suppression important.

While the Navy is phasing out the use of AFFF due to environmental concerns and health risks and transitioning to safer alternatives, those regulations do not apply to Navy ships.

As a result, Navy personnel may still be exposed to dangerous PFAS, putting them at an increased risk for cancer and other serious diseases.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with a case manager to see if you may be able to file a Navy firefighting lawsuit for compensation.

AFFF Exposure in the Navy & Cancer

AFFF exposure has been associated with more than a dozen types of cancers linked to PFAS, as well as other adverse health effects.

Illnesses associated with PFAS-containing AFFF include:

Bladder cancer
Breast cancer
Endometrial or uterine cancer
Kidney or renal cancer
Leukemia
Liver cancer
Lymphoma
Multiple myeloma
Pancreatic cancer
Prostate cancer
Testicular cancer
Thyroid cancer and disease

Those most at risk endured foam exposure at high concentrations or suffered prolonged exposure. For example, a 2023 federal study showed that higher levels of PFAS in the blood of military firefighters led to an increased risk of testicular cancer.

Veterans diagnosed with any of the above health conditions may be able to file a U.S. Navy AFFF lawsuit against the companies that made or sold the products that caused them harm. Navy firefighting foam lawsuits are never filed against the government or military.

Who Can File a Navy Firefighting Foam Lawsuit?

You may be able to file a lawsuit for Navy AFFF exposure if:

You were exposed to AFFF as a firefighter and now have a PFAS-related illness
You’re the family member of a loved one who passed away from cancer linked to Navy AFFF exposure

Compensation from a Navy firefighting foam lawsuit can help pay for medical bills and other expenses related to your disease. If a loved one has passed away, a wrongful death lawsuit for AFFF and cancer in the Navy is a way to honor their memory.

An experienced AFFF lawyer can help you understand your legal options and fight hard for everything you deserve.

Get a free case review now to see if you may be eligible for compensation from a Navy firefighting foam lawsuit.

How to File a U.S. Navy AFFF Lawsuit

LawFirm.com works with AFFF lawyers who work to make filing a Navy firefighting foam lawsuit as easy and stress-free as possible. They understand the toll that a serious illness can take, so they handle all of the legal work for you.

The legal process for filing a lawsuit for Navy AFFF exposure involves:

Contacting LawFirm.com: The firefighting foam lawyers in our network provide free case reviews, so you can see if you may be eligible to take legal action without any risk.
Collecting evidence: Your attorney and their legal team will gather evidence like your military duty assignments and medical records linking your illness to Navy AFFF exposure.
Filing your Navy firefighting foam lawsuit: Your team will file your AFFF cancer lawsuit in the proper court before any legal guidelines and demand compensation from the companies that harmed you.
Accessing AFFF Navy compensation: With the goal of securing compensation as soon as possible, your lawyer will work to negotiate a Navy AFFF settlement.

While most firefighting foam lawsuits end in out-of-court settlements, your team will be ready to argue your case in front of a judge and jury and fight for compensation from an AFFF trial verdict.

Navy firefighting foam lawsuits have strict deadlines called statutes of limitations. To ensure that your Navy AFFF exposure claim is filed in time, reach out to a firefighter foam lawyer without delay.

Navy AFFF Foam Settlement Amounts

Chemical companies have already paid billions of dollars to victims who have been harmed by toxic PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam.

Notable PFAS lawsuit settlements include:

$10.3 billion from 3M to resolve water contamination claims
$50 million paid by DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva to settle tainted water supply claims in Delaware
$17.5 million from Johnson Controls over PFAS in AFFF used by subsidiary Tyco Fire Products
$850 million paid by 3M for polluting Minnesota groundwater
$4 billion from DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva to settle water contamination allegations

Filing a Navy firefighting foam lawsuit can ensure your voice is heard and that the AFFF manufacturers responsible for your illness are held accountable.

Get Help Seeking Navy AFFF Exposure Compensation

Navy firefighting foam put millions of service members in harm’s way. Today, many are being diagnosed with PFAS-related cancers years after their military service ended.

When powerful companies value profits over human health, they should be made to pay the price.

LawFirm.com works with personal injury lawyers who’ve recovered over $9.8 billion for those harmed through no fault of their own.

Our legal partners:

Can help Navy veterans in all 50 states
Have decades of experience handling dangerous product cases
Never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or fill out our form to take the first step toward the justice and compensation you deserve.

Navy Firefighting Foam Lawsuit FAQs

Can you sue for AFFF exposure in the Navy?

Yes, you may be able to sue for Navy AFFF exposure if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer or another health condition caused by toxic firefighting foam. You may also be able to take legal action if a loved one passed away from an AFFF-related illness.

An AFFF foam settlement for Navy exposure can compensate cancer patients for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.

Get a free case review to see if you may be able to seek settlement money from a Navy firefighting foam lawsuit.

When was AFFF used in the Navy?

The U.S. Navy started using AFFF firefighting foam in the 1960s. The product contained toxic chemicals known as PFAS that blanketed fires onboard ships.

By the late 1960s, the Navy relied on AFFF to extinguish fires on ships like aircraft carriers, as well as at naval bases and air stations. AFFF foam at Navy boot camp was also common as recruits learned how to use the fire-suppressing agent.

Military personnel who suffered occupational exposure and developed cancer as a result may qualify for compensation from a Navy firefighting foam lawsuit.

When did the Navy stop using AFFF foam?

The Department of Defense required the military to stop using AFFF by October 2024. However, this mandate didn’t apply to shipboard use.

Additionally, U.S. Navy military installations can request waivers that could potentially allow them to continue using AFFF until October 2026.

Can you get VA disability for exposure to AFFF?

Yes, U.S. Navy veterans who got sick from AFFF exposure while serving their country may be entitled to disability compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Eligible veterans may qualify for tax-free payments of almost $4,000 a month or more, depending on their health issue and other factors. They may also be eligible for money from a Navy firefighting foam lawsuit.

Call (888) 726-9160 now to see if you may be eligible for Navy AFFF exposure compensation.