Published
August 22, 2025
Updated
June 21, 2026
PFAS "forever chemicals" litigation is active across several tracks — the AFFF firefighting-foam MDL and multi-billion-dollar water-system settlements — but eligibility is fact-specific, so here is where things stand and who may be affected.
Were You Or Your Family Harmed By PFAS?
PFAS — also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or “forever chemicals” — are found in common household items, including non-stick cookware, food packaging, and firefighting foam. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in the human body over time. PFAS litigation is active across several tracks, and the legal picture depends heavily on how a person was exposed.
Status
Active Litigation
AFFF personal-injury MDL and water-system settlements ongoing
Claim Path
None — Fact-Specific
no single claim form; eligibility depends on how you were exposed
Who May Be Affected
Exposed Individuals
people exposed via contaminated water or products, later diagnosed
Proof Required
Yes
proof of exposure and medical records
PFAS have been linked to cancer, suppression of the immune system, interference with normal hormone and thyroid function, and reproductive harm. Whether a particular person has a claim, and which track it falls under, is fact-specific. There is no single claim form to file; anyone who believes their health was affected by PFAS should consult a licensed attorney of their choosing. Many plaintiff-side firms offer a free initial consultation and work on contingency, meaning they are paid only if the case recovers money.
The EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) reported that millions Americans may have had exposure to PFAS, but at relatively low concentrations.
PFAS Class Action Settlements
$5,000,000 3M PFAS Settlement In 2022, 3M COMPANY was sued in a PFAS class action settlement, which was eventually agreed to for a $5,000,000 payout fund over allegations that 3M had polluted soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment, air, and fish by discharging certain PFAS substances.
$5,000,000 Thinx Underwear PFAS Settlement In 2023, Thinx underwear company settled a class action lawsuit over allegations that some of its underwear may have contained toxic PFAS chemicals that may be harmful to consumers.
$1.4M Period Underwear PFAS Class Action Settlement In 2024, Knix underwear settled class action lawsuit worth $1,400,000 over allegations that their consumer products contained synthetic PFAS substances.
How Do I Qualify for Compensation?
To qualify for most PFAS-related legal claims or medical monitoring programs, you typically need to meet both of the following criteria:Exposure Requirement: You (or your loved one) must have drunk water contaminated with PFAS for six consecutive months or more after January 1, 1990.
Diagnosis Requirement: You (or your loved one) must have been diagnosed after January 1, 2000 with a qualifying medical condition, often one known to be associated with PFAS exposure. Qualifying medical conditions may include:
• Testicular Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Ulcerative Colitis
What are the Hazards of PFAS?
Some of the potential health effects include:• Reproductive health effects,
• Increased blood pressure in pregnant women,
• Decreased fertility,
• Low birth weight in children,
• Development delays in children,
• Accelerated puberty phases,
• Variations in bones,
• Increased risk of liver, kidney, testicular cancers, and ulcerative colitis,
• Reduce immune response, so reduced ability to battle infections,
• Reduced vaccine response,
• Interference with the body's natural hormone processes,
• Increased cholesterol levels,
• Increased risk of obesity.
If you or a loved one were exposed to PFAS and believe your health was affected, consider consulting a licensed attorney of your choosing to assess whether you have a claim and which deadlines apply.
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DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.
Information on OpenClassActions.com is for general informational purposes only. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page or submitting a form. PFAS allegations described here are unproven except where a settlement has been reached, and eligibility for any claim is fact-specific. You are free to choose any attorney you wish.
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