Texas PFAS Lawyer

Firefighters in Texas have filed lawsuits for health problems after being exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam (AFFF).

Need a Texas PFAS Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with a health problems from PFAS chemicals, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.

UPDATE: Texas Landowner Files PFAS Lawsuit for Water Contamination

In January 2021, a Texas man filed a class action lawsuit after state officials found toxic chemicals (PFOS, PFAS and PFOA) in his private well-water due to the use of firefighting foam (AFFF) at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas — Case Number 2:21-cv-162-RMG.

What are PFAS Chemicals?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of toxic chlorinated chemicals that are commonly found in food, food packaging, drinking water, nonstick pans, animals, and the blood of 99% of Americans.

PFAS chemicals include Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), which are found in “firefighting foam” that is commonly used to put out fires on military bases, airports, chemical plants, and firefighting training facilities.

What is Firefighting Foam?

Firefighting foam has been used since the 1970s to extinguish liquid jet fuel and gas fires that are not easily put out with water alone. Firefighting foam is also called Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF).

What is the Problem?

Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to clean up firefighting foam due to PFAS chemicals contaminating soil and water. PFAS chemicals are also known as “forever chemicals” because they take thousands of years to break down in the environment. PFAS chemicals also build up in the human body and cause a variety of severe health problems.

Health Problems Linked to PFAS Chemical Exposure

Increased cholesterol levels
Changes in liver enzymes
Small decreases in infant birth weights
Decreased vaccine response in children
Increased risk of high blood pressure
Pre-eclampsia in pregnant women
Increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer
Thyroid disease
Ulcerative colitis

Source: What Are the Health Effects of PFAS? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Types of Cancer Linked to PFAS Exposure

Testicular cancer
Kidney cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Breast Cancer
Liver Cancer
Bladder Cancer
Lymphoma
Leukemia
Tumors

Who Is At Risk?

Firefighters
Military members
Airport workers
Refinery and chemical plant workers
AFFF manufacturers
People who live near military bases, airports, firefighting training facilities, refineries, fuel tank farms, etc.
People who clean up chemical spills, workers who decontaminate firefighting equipment

Texas Firefighter Files PFAS Lawsuit for Firefighting Foam

In October 2020, a firefighter from Benavides, Texas, filed a PFAS lawsuit claiming that he developed skin cancer from exposure to toxic chemicals in “firefighting foam.” The lawsuit was centralized with more than 900 other PFAS lawsuits in federal court.

The PFAS Lawsuit was filed on October 5, 2020 — Gilbert Gonzalez v. 3M Company et al. — Case Number 2:20-cv-3518-RMG. It was centralized in a federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 2873) in the U.S. District Court for South Carolina (Charleston).

PFAS Found in Well Water Next to Fort Worth Naval Air Station

In July 2020, after years of using firefighting foam with PFAS chemicals to put out fires on Fort Worth’s Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, the Navy reported that a nearby homeowner’s private drinking-water well was contaminated with PFAS chemicals. The well-water had PFAS chemical contamination that was above 70 parts per trillion, which is the limit set by the EPA’s Lifetime Health Advisory.

Reese Air Force Base Class Action

In January 2021, a class action lawsuit was filed for people near Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas, who drank water that was contaminated by toxic PFOS chemicals from firefighting foam. or hundreds of private wells near Lubbock, Texas.

What Army Military Sites in Texas May Have PFAS Contamination?

In 2019, the Department of Defense released a list of Army installations in Texas where they are studying the use of PFAS, releases, and contamination:

Austin Bergstrom Hangar — National Guard
El Campo — National Guard
Ellington Field — National Guard
Fort Bliss — Active
Fort Hood — Active
Grand Prairie (DNAS) — National Guard
Lone Star AAP — BRAC
Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant — Active
Martindale AASF — National Guard
Red River Army Depot — Active

Need a PFAS Lawyer in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.