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    AFFF / PFAS Lawsuit News & Updates

    South Carolina’s PFAS MDL blends drinking-water settlements with firefighter cancer suits stemming from aqueous film-forming foam. We separate municipal recovery stories from personal-injury tracks so exposure narratives stay precise.

    Last updated: May 13, 2026

    AFFF / PFAS Litigation at a Glance

    MDL

    No. 2873 (D.S.C.)

    Presiding Judge

    Hon. Richard M. Gergel

    Pending Cases

    15,000+ pending

    Next Key Date

    Bellwether trials TBD – discovery ongoing

    Latest AFFF Lawsuit Update

    Fire-training burns and airport crash drills produced repeat AFFF dousing events; plaintiffs map those timelines against tumor diagnoses years later. Meanwhile several water utilities have inked settlements, leaving cancer plaintiffs to fight separate battles over serum levels and duty to warn.

    Current AFFF / PFAS Lawsuit News

    • •More than 15,000 lawsuits pending in the AFFF MDL in the District of South Carolina
    • •Major water-contamination settlements with 3M, DuPont, and others; personal injury (cancer) claims remain in litigation
    • •IARC classified PFOA as Group 1 carcinogenic to humans (2023), with links to kidney, testicular, and other cancers
    • •Court requiring proof of medical and exposure evidence before setting new bellwether trial dates
    • •Firefighters, military personnel, and others with PFAS-related cancer may qualify for a free case review

    Legal Case Updates: MDL and AFFF / PFAS Litigation

    AFFF litigation is centralized in In re: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2873, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, before Judge Richard M. Gergel. This consolidation streamlines discovery and rulings on common issues. Plaintiffs allege that exposure to PFAS in firefighting foam caused or contributed to cancers (including kidney and testicular cancer), ulcerative colitis, and other serious conditions, and that manufacturers failed to adequately warn users and the public.

    Water Settlements vs. Personal Injury Claims

    Major settlements have been reached in the AFFF MDL for water-contamination claims (e.g., 3M, DuPont, Carrier). Personal injury claims—for individuals who developed kidney cancer, testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis, or other qualifying conditions after AFFF/PFAS exposure—remain in litigation. If you were exposed and diagnosed with one of these conditions, you may qualify for a free case review.

    Key Dates and Legal Developments

    Date / PeriodDevelopment
    2018–2022AFFF MDL formed; thousands of water-contamination and personal injury cases centralized in South Carolina.
    2023IARC classifies PFOA as Group 1 carcinogenic to humans, with sufficient evidence for kidney cancer and limited evidence for testicular cancer. Litigation filings increase.
    2024–2025Major water-contamination settlements (3M, DuPont, Carrier). Bellwether trial dates reset; court requires proof of medical and exposure evidence. Personal injury claims continue.
    2026 and ongoingDiscovery and case development continue. New AFFF personal injury lawsuits filed. Statutes of limitations vary by state—contact us for a free case review.

    Science & Health Conditions Linked to PFAS / AFFF

    Research and regulatory reviews have linked PFAS exposure from AFFF and other sources to several serious health conditions. Courts and plaintiffs rely on this evidence when evaluating causation in AFFF lawsuits.

    Kidney Cancer

    The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and other bodies have found sufficient evidence linking PFOA (a PFAS used in AFFF) to kidney cancer. Firefighters and others with occupational AFFF exposure who later developed kidney cancer may have grounds for a claim.

    Testicular Cancer

    IARC has identified limited evidence linking PFOA to testicular cancer. Military personnel, firefighters, and others exposed to AFFF who were diagnosed with testicular cancer may qualify for a free case review.

    Ulcerative Colitis

    Scientific and medical literature has associated PFAS exposure with immune and digestive effects, including ulcerative colitis. If you were exposed to AFFF and diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, you may be eligible to have your case evaluated.

    Other Cancers & Conditions

    PFAS have also been studied in connection with pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, thyroid disease, and other conditions. Eligibility depends on exposure history, diagnosis, and applicable law. A free case review can help determine your options.

    Think You May Qualify?

    If you were exposed to AFFF and were diagnosed with kidney cancer, testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis, or another PFAS-linked condition, you may be eligible for a free case review.

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    Disclaimer

    This AFFF lawsuit news page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Top Tier Legal LLC is not a law firm. Litigation status and dates may change. For the most current AFFF lawsuit update and to see if you qualify for a free case review, visit our AFFF lawsuit page or contact us.