NJ Fire Departments Sued Over Use of AFFF At Fire Scene

The owner of a business that burned in Carteret, New Jersey in 2020 has filed suit against ten fire departments, a county fire marshal, the state, and National Foam, alleging each is liable for the cleanup costs associated with the use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. filed suit in Middlesex County Superior Court.

Florida Firefighter Sues AFFF Manufacturers

A Florida firefighter has filed suit against a group of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) manufacturers contending that exposure to their products caused her breast cancer. Debbie Rittinghouse, who served with Broward County Fire Rescue from 1994 to 2018, filed suit against 17 current and former AFFF manufacturers.

Firefighter’s Widow Sues AFFF Manufacturers for Wrongful Death

The widow of a former Arlington, Texas firefighter who died of leukemia, has joined the growing number of people and entities suing the manufacturers of AFFF. Deidre Culhane filed suit last week on behalf of herself and her late husband, David Culhane, naming fifteen different chemical companies.

Class Action Suit Filed Against AFFF Manufacturers

Three firefighters from New York state have filed a class action lawsuit against 28 companies involved in varying degrees with the manufacture and sale of AFFF. Thomas J. Gentile, Tommy McGarry, and Charles O’Keefe filed suit last week in US District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Dayton Sues Foam Manufacturers Over AFFF Related Contamination

The City of Dayton is the latest community to file suit against the nation’s largest firefighting foam manufacturers, blaming them for the contamination of the area surrounding Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The contamination is due to two toxic byproducts of AFFF, namely perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid.

NY State Sues Foam Manufacturers Over AFFF Contamination

The state of New York has join a growing list of plaintiffs suing the nation’s firefighting foam manufacturers over groundwater contamination problems associated with AFFF. The suit alleges that 3M Company, Tyco Fire Products LP, Chemguard, Inc., Buckeye Fire Equipment Company, National Foam, Inc., and Kidde-Fenwal, Inc. are responsible for groundwater contamination at various sites throughout the state where firefighters have used AFFF.

Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone