AFFF Government Contractor Defense
Aqueous Film Forming Foams (“AFFF”) are used to extinguish petroleum-based fuel and other flammable liquid fires. The AFFF litigation involves injuries sustained as a result of exposure to AFFF containing fluorocarbon molecules. Fluorocarbon molecules contain or may break down into PFAS and PFOS. PFAS and PFOS are “forever chemicals” that never leave the body and […]
Firefighter Exposure Pathways to AFFF
Firefighter exposure to cancer causing chemicals is a serious issue. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of man-made chemical compounds that can be found in firefighting foam and turnout gear. Two PFAS compounds, perfluorooctane acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), were often in firefighting aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). These chemicals enter […]
PFAS in Fast Food Packaging
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used chemicals that persist in the environment for very long periods of time earning them the nickname “Forever Chemicals.” PFAS are found in water, air, soil, and food sources all over the world. PFAS have been primarily linked to testicular and kidney cancer, but animal studies also suggest […]
Houston Plant Fire Case Gets Class Cert
A victory in the Wheeler v. Arkema Plant Fire Case in Crosby, TX occurred yesterday. Judge Ellison of the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued an Order certifying a class of approximately 28,000 people (over 10,000 properties). The full 111-page order can be read here: Arkema Ruling on Class Certification and […]
Am I being exposed to PFOS/PFAS?
Unlike just 5 years ago, most people have now heard about the “Forever Chemicals” known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These chemicals are more commonly referred to as PFAS. PFAS are widely used in numerous products from food containers to infant car seats. PFAS are known as Forever Chemicals because the components break down extremely […]
Cancer Caused by PFAS – PFOA and PFOS
Scientists continue to study the health effects of exposure to C8 chemicals. These chemicals include PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS. To date, scientific research shows exposures to these chemicals cause certain cancers and appear to be strongly associated with other cancers and adverse health effects. What is the AFFF MDL Litigation? Legal claims related to exposure […]
The Problem with Oilfield Pits
Oilfield pits are ground excavations (earthen storage) designed for storing liquids and sludges utilized in or produced during oil and gas exploration and production operations. The first oilfield pit in Louisiana was excavated in the first oilfield in Louisiana in conjunction with the first oil well in the Evangeline Field in the early 1900’s. The […]
Should Superfund Sites Still Shock Us?
Recently an article discussing 100 people being diagnosed with cancer from the same New Jersey high school came across my desk. It was sent to me by multiple people who were all shocked and horrified by the fact that so many members of a single community suffered from such serious conditions from a Superfund Site […]
Can I Sue a Pipeline Company for Damages?
People impacted by pipeline incidents often wonder “Can I sue a pipeline company?” The short answer is yes. Pipeline owners and operators are responsible under the law for any damages they negligently cause, and in some instances, may be held strictly liable. Pipelines Can Leak or Explode Causing Damages You may hear in the news […]
Oilfield Legacy Litigation
Historically, oil and gas companies operating in Louisiana from the early 1900s through the 1980s had very poor waste management practices. These practices in combination with little to no oversight left a “legacy” of pollution in Louisiana. The resulting litigation has been coined “legacy litigation.” WHAT IS LEGACY LITIGATION? The oil and gas industry branded […]