PFAS Drinking Water Lawsuits: Kidney, Testicular Cancer, Thyroid Claims

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are filing lawsuits on behalf of individuals who were diagnosed with cancer or ulcerative colitis after exposure to drinking water contaminated with toxic chemicals known as PFAS.

Hundreds of water systems across the U.S. and its territories, including on military bases, are believed to be contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals that have been linked to cancer, fertility issues, thyroid disease and other health problems. One source of this contamination is thought to be firefighting foam that has been used for decades at military bases, airports and industrial sites.  

The manufacturers of the foam, including 3M and DuPont, are now facing thousands of lawsuits alleging they knew their products were harmful but failed to take steps to prevent the foam from contaminating local drinking water systems and harming the public. Billions of dollars in settlements have already been secured on behalf of public water systems to help fund cleanup efforts, but individuals who have been harmed by PFAS exposure may be able to file their own lawsuits to help recover money for medical bills, pain and suffering and more.

Toxic “Forever Chemicals”: What Are PFAS?

PFAS, which is an umbrella term for a group of synthetic chemicals that includes perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to the characteristic carbon-fluorine bonds that cause them to be highly resistant to breaking down in the environment.

The chemical structure of PFAS makes them naturally resistant to water, grease and heat, leading to their widespread use in products ranging from waterproof jackets and makeup to nonstick pans and fast-food wrappers. However, it also means that they can accumulate, remain and persist in the human body—particularly the bloodstream, liver and kidneys—for decades. In fact, a 2015 study found that PFAS may be present in the blood of 97 percent of Americans. As a result, those with continued exposure to PFAS are particularly at risk for adverse health effects.

PFAS can be readily absorbed through ingestion (e.g., by drinking contaminated groundwater or eating fish exposed to the chemicals) and inhalation—and can even enter the body through the skin. Further, it has been established that PFAS can pass through breast milk and cross the placenta from mother to fetus during pregnancy.  

PFAS gained particular attention in the early 2000s when the drinking water of 70,000 people living near a West Virginia DuPont factory was found to be contaminated with PFOA, a chemical used to make the company’s Teflon nonstick coating.

PFAS in Drinking Water: Where Does the Contamination Come From?

One source of PFAS contamination in drinking water is the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). For decades, military bases, airports, shipyards, firefighting training facilities and industrial sites have used AFFF to extinguish liquid fuel fires, both during emergencies and in training exercises. The firefighting foam, which works by forming a “blanket” over the fuel and trapping flammable vapors, is known to contain PFAS—specifically, PFOS and PFOA.

Reports suggest that when the foam is washed away, it seeps into the groundwater and nearby streams, contaminating the tap water used by locals for drinking, bathing, cleaning and more.

PFAS Contamination Map

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit studying PFAS chemicals in water, public water system test results from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and data from states and other sources indicate that, as of August 2025, 172 million people across the U.S. have drinking water contaminated with PFAS.

This interactive map from the EWG indicates the locations where PFAS have been detected in drinking water.

You can also search for your ZIP code in the EWG’s Tap Water Database to find out if PFAS or other contaminants have been detected in your drinking water.

PFAS on Military Bases

According to the EWG, the Department of Defense knew for decades that the firefighting foam used on military bases was toxic yet failed to warn service members and their families, as well as nearby communities, of the dangers.

Department of Defense data compiled by the EWG reveal that over 700 military sites are known or suspected to have discharged toxic PFAS chemicals. The EWG’s PFAS military bases list can be found on this interactive map.

PFAS Toxicity: Kidney Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Thyroid Disease

Even at low levels, PFAS can cause a number of adverse health effects and have been linked to low birth weights, cancer, immune system problems, thyroid hormone disruption and high cholesterol.

Two of the most studied types of PFAS, PFOA and PFOS, have been respectively classified as a human carcinogen and a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

According to the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, studies have linked PFAS exposure to an increased risk of kidney cancer and testicular cancer.

One study into the potential PFAS cancer risk looked at blood samples from over 1,000 Air Force service members to investigate the possibility of developing cancer from AFFF exposure. The study found an association between elevated levels of PFOS, a component of AFFF, and testicular cancer, and the authors also noted an association between PFAS levels in the blood and being stationed at a base with a high level of PFAS in the water supply.

Other studies have linked PFAS exposure to liver cancer, thyroid cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

What Could I Get from a PFAS Drinking Water Lawsuit?

Who Would I Be Suing in a PFAS Lawsuit?

In most cases, your lawsuit would be filed against the company that manufactured the firefighting foam believed to be the source of your PFAS exposure; you would not be suing the U.S. military.

Companies that manufactured AFFF with toxic chemicals include, but are not limited to, the following:

What’s Involved in Filing a PFAS Lawsuit?

Before filing a lawsuit, your attorney will ask you questions about your work history, places you’ve lived and how your health has changed since being exposed to contaminated groundwater. Your lawyer will also gather medical documents related to the condition you are alleging stemmed from your PFAS exposure.

When enough information has been gathered to move forward with a case, your attorney will draft a document known as a “complaint” that outlines the company or companies you are suing, how you were exposed to PFAS, the medical condition that allegedly developed as a result of the exposure and the monetary damages you are seeking. This document will also lay out why the manufacturers of toxic firefighting foam are responsible for the harm you suffered. 

Once your attorney files the complaint with the court, your PFAS lawsuit officially begins. From there, your attorney will engage with those representing the defendants—that is, the companies being sued—and the court in an attempt to resolve your case.

If the case does not get dismissed and the defendants are not willing to settle the matter, the case will proceed to a jury trial, though jury trials are uncommon in civil cases.

In 2018, PFAS lawsuits were consolidated into a single federal court before a single judge as part of multidistrict litigation, which allows the cases to be managed more efficiently and helps ensure similar outcomes. In MDLs, it is common for several lawsuits to be selected to proceed to bellwether trials—a sort of “test run” to see whether juries will more often side with the plaintiffs or the defendants. If the plaintiffs prevail in most of the bellwether trials, the defendants may choose to resolve the remaining lawsuits through a global settlement to avoid the risks and costs of further litigation. If the defendants prevail more often in the bellwether trials, they may choose not to settle.

Is This a Class Action Lawsuit?

No. Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are not handling PFAS lawsuits on a class action basis. This is because individuals who have fallen ill as a result of PFAS exposure have suffered significant harm that warrants the cost and time associated with filing an individual lawsuit. This means if you want to pursue legal action over your injury, you will need to file your own lawsuit with your own attorney.

You can learn more about the difference between class action and individual lawsuits here.

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are handling these cases on a contingency-fee basis. This means you only pay if they win your case. Their payment will come as a percentage of your settlement or jury award.

How Much Could I Get from a PFAS Drinking Water Settlement?

There is no guarantee that your PFAS lawsuit will be successful or result in a settlement, and the amount you could receive depends on many factors, including your level of exposure and the severity of your injuries.

However, some experts estimate that PFAS settlement amounts could range from $75,000 to over $150,000.

PFAS Drinking Water Litigation and Settlements

In 2018, multidistrict litigation (MDL) was established to consolidate PFAS lawsuits filed over drinking water contamination allegedly caused by the use of AFFF. The PFAS MDL now contains over 10,000 cases, with the plaintiffs alleging that they were caused personal injury, require medical monitoring, suffered property damage or experienced other economic losses.

In June 2023, class action settlements were announced between public water systems and several AFFF manufacturers. Though the PFAS MDL focused specifically on contamination from AFFF, the settlements were reached to help mitigate the cost of removing PFAS from drinking water, regardless of the source.

Importantly, only public water systems can file PFAS claims under the settlements. Personal injury and property damage suits remain ongoing and have not been resolved through the deals.

PFAS Drinking Water Regulations

In April 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for six PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS. These standards, called maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), limit the amount of PFAS allowed in drinking water and require public water systems to complete monitoring and implement solutions to reduce PFAS if the monitoring shows levels that exceed the MCLs. The PFAS MCL for both PFOA and PFOS was set at 4 parts per trillion.

In May 2025, the EPA announced that it intended to partially roll back these regulations by extending the compliance deadline by two years, until 2031, for monitoring and addressing PFOA and PFOS levels, citing concerns from public water systems and others about the cost of removing PFAS so quickly. The agency also announced that it intended to rescind regulations for the other types of PFAS initially included in the final rule “to ensure that the determinations and any resulting drinking water regulation follow the legal process laid out in the Safe Drinking Water Act.”

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