Lawyers for Aqueous Firefighting Foam (AFFF) Exposure | Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C.

Aqueous Fire Foam has been used for decades at military bases, airports, and by firefighters across the country. We now know that high concentrations of the chemicals within AFFF have accumulated in peoples’ bodies, increasing their risk of cancer and other diseases.

These individuals deserve better and may be entitled to compensation. At HKD we are actively taking on AFFF exposure cases and representing clients from various backgrounds, including military veterans, firefighters, and factory workers.

The product liability attorneys at HKD have a history of success in holding companies accountable for their negligence. The firm recently recovered $2,300,000 for the victim of a dangerous product and they have recovered more than $500 million for injury victims. If you or someone you know were exposed to AFFF and have since been diagnosed with cancer, please contact us for a free consultation at 212-490-5700. You won’t owe anything unless we recover money for you.

Some of our awards include:

Our Awards

 

Super
Lawyers

 

Super lawyers identifies outstanding attorneys in various practice areas based on independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.

 

New York County Bar Association

 

One of the largest, most influential bar associations in the country with NYCLA members pioneering some of the most far-reaching legal reforms in America.

 

New York City Bar Association

 

The best lawyers in NYC, the City Bar’s mission is to equip and mobilize legal professionals to practice with excellence, promote reform, and uphold the rule of law.

 

New York State Bar Association

 

The largest voluntary state bar organization in America with the goals of facilitating access to justice and elevating professional standards.

 

Center for Justice Democracy

 

The CJ&D is a non-profit, non-partisan consumer rights organization dedicated to educating the public about the U.S. civil justice system and fighting tort reform.

 

Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum

 

Reserved for the top trial lawyers, membership is limited to those with multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Fewer than 1% of lawyers are members.

 

American Association for Justice

 

The AAJ is a nonprofit advocacy and lobbying organization for plaintiff's lawyers in the U.S. with the mission to "promote a fair and effective justice system."

What You Need to Know About Firefighting Foam

At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we represent firefighters and other workers exposed to carcinogens through AFFF, firefighting foam, throughout their careers. There are serious questions regarding how employers should be protecting workers from exposure to carcinogens in this fire suppressant.

What Is Firefighting Foam?

AFFF is a fire suppressant that quickly extinguishes hydrocarbon fuel fires or other high-hazard flammable liquid fires. It works by blocking the oxygen the fuel needs to burn, suppressing the fuel vapor, providing an overall cooling effect that supports fire suppression. Not only does it work quickly, but it creates an aqueous film on the fuel’s service, which prevents it from reigniting after the fire’s been extinguished.

There’s no denying there’s a need for products like this. While water might be adequate to put out traditional building fires, it isn’t an effective means of suppressing oil-based fires.

The Naval Research Laboratory created AFFF in the 1960s. By 1979, it was used in more than 90 airports in the U.S. and by many civilian fire departments.

When Is AFFF Used?

Firefighting foam is used wherever fuel fires are at risk. That includes airports, refineries, other oil and gas pipelines or operations, aircraft carriers, and other military operations.

Who Is Exposed?

Firefighters are most commonly exposed to AFFF and the chemicals it contains. Depending on how often they have to use it, they might be exposed routinely throughout their careers. Airport workers, military personnel, oil and gas workers, and property owners also might be exposed when a fire breaks out, and foam is needed.

Hear it from our clients:

Google Reviews

09/09/2021

When I spoke to Mr.Noah Reiss he gave me valuable legal advice. Connected the dots who and why. He is a great asset to this firm. Will call him again as a friend. Thank you so much.

5 Stars Review 5
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08/11/2021

Ross Raggio, did an amazing job on my case. The office staff was responsive and very helpful to my questions and concerns. I had a very good experience. I highly recommend this firm.

5 Stars Review 5
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06/22/2021

I had a great lawyer with a great Paralegal that made everything easy to understand.

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04/01/2021

I am extremely satisfied and pleased most of all grateful for the services of Jonathan and his team! It is such a relief to have a strong team supporting you through a process that’s stressful. Thank you again for everything.

5 Stars Review 5
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03/01/2021

Hetch,Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., is the law office I highly recommend. My attorney Judd Kleeger, accomplished to represent me, support my needs & secure my future after suffering a traumatic accident. Other lawyers couldn’t guarantee this to me but Judd…

5 Stars Review 5
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02/25/2021

I can say without hesitation that if you are injured due to someone else’s fault, that no one will fight harder and more passionately for you than Jordan Hecht and Judd Kleeger. I have worked side by side with them…

5 Stars Review 5
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02/23/2021

Amazing job, settled my case in 90 days.

5 Stars Review 5
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02/23/2021

I highly recommend the law firm of Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek – as well as my attorney, Jordan Hecht. Jordan was able to answer all of my questions and put me at ease. He was always responsive and patient. He…

5 Stars Review 5
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02/23/2021

I have referred numerous cases to Judd Kleeger and the team at HKD. I feel very confident when i refer a client that they will be treated with the highest regard. Each of my referrals has had very positive experiences…

5 Stars Review 5
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01/29/2021

I was always able to reach my attorney Judd Kleeger with any concern I had about my case. He responded timely and with the utmost courtesy to my sometimes desperate phone calls and email. He knew exactly what to do…

5 Stars Review 5
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01/19/2021

The attorneys at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek are smart, professional, responsive and dedicated to achieving the best results for their clients. Most importantly, they are trustworthy and genuinely good people who you can depend upon.

5 Stars Review 5
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01/18/2021

Judd Kleeger and his team are extremely competent, super professional and have achieved consistently better results than I or my clients had anticipated. He is my “go to” PI team. This was my experience over a decade and not just…

5 Stars Review 5
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01/15/2021

I have known Judd Kleeger for over a decade now. By far the smartest hardest working attorney I have ever dealt with. His advice has been spot on time and time again. Highly recommend him.

5 Stars Review 5
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01/15/2021

I retained Judd Kleeger for a personal injury case. I would, without hesitation, recommend Judd, and his firm, for anyone who finds themselves in a situation that demands a tenacious advocate who will not stop fighting until he gets results.

5 Stars Review 5
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01/15/2021

I can’t recommend Judd Kleeger enough. He is without a doubt the most professional lawyer I’ve encountered. Judd Kleeger is diligent and quick in his responses, always making sure his clients are in the right hands. I’ve never had to…

5 Stars Review 5
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01/14/2021

Judd Kleeger is an exceptional attorney who makes sure to get the best possible outcome for his client. He is always available, and is knowledgeable, prepared and dedicated to his clients. He is not afraid to go to trial and…

5 Stars Review 5
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01/14/2021

Mr. Judd Kleeger and his team at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek are great! They always provide very thoughtful and caring advice. Mr. Kleeger is extremely professional and very easy to work with.

5 Stars Review 5
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01/06/2021

We quickly had to get legal counsel and we contacted Jordan Hecht. The rapport and guidance was outstanding at all times, prompt, timely and open for calls and updates. I can’t thank Jordan enough for his care, work and expertise….

5 Stars Review 5
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12/29/2020

Had a great experience with attorney Ross Raggio. He was professional and attentive every step of the way – would highly recommend.

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12/28/2020

Mr. Ross Raggio and his team at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., provided excellent legal services. His team and him were absolutely great, always returning calls or emails when we had questions about the case. Always very cordial, caring and…

5 Stars Review 5
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12/11/2020

My wife and i are very grateful to Mr. Jordan Hecht for his sincere compassion and legal assistance during one of the most challenging time in our lives. He was extremely professional and answered all of our concerns. Mr. Hecht…

5 Stars Review 5
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12/10/2020

Very professional and very responsive. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone in need of an attorney. The attorney Ross Raggio, who was personally assigned to my case consistently followed through and was able to bring the case to…

5 Stars Review 5
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12/08/2020

Mr. Ross Raggio went above and beyond to settle my case during the height of the pandemic, a time when my options appeared limited and the likelihood of a satisfactory resolution seemed slim. He was responsive and professional, and was…

5 Stars Review 5
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12/07/2020

I was a sole practitioner specializing in personal injury law in NYC for more than 36 years. When I decided to retire, I had to make several critical decisions before terminating my practice. To whom should I refer my clients…

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12/07/2020

Ross was always available and working with my best interests, also very thorough with any questions I had along the case. Will recommend to others!

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12/04/2020

Jordan Hecht of Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek is the best lawyer I’ve ever worked with.  He is smart, tough, and very professional. I highly recommend the firm and could not have asked for a better outcome.

5 Stars Review 5
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12/03/2020

The HKD law firm is highly professional, responsive and caring. They were willing to handle my case when other firms declined. Not only did we win our case, but received a huge settlement.

5 Stars Review 5
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12/03/2020

My representation by Jordan Hecht and the whole staff at Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek was top notch professional and very productive

5 Stars Review 5
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12/02/2020

I have had the pleasure to work alongside Ross Raggio on several matters. He is an extremely talented attorney with an exceptional understanding of the law. I would recommend him and HK&D to anyone looking for a personal injury attorney.

5 Stars Review 5
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12/02/2020

I came to know the firm through my relationship with one of the partners, Jordan Hecht. Jordan and I became close friends in law school. I have since referred several cases to Jordan and his firm ranging from a mesothelioma…

5 Stars Review 5
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12/02/2020

From the moment that I contacted this Law firm and got assigned Mr. Ross. They have been nothing but helpful, Especially Mr. Ross. In the time that Mr. Ross took my case, it took him 3 months to a get…

5 Stars Review 5
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10/27/2020

The best

5 Stars Review 5
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01/21/2020

I cannot speak highly enough about this firm. The situation that necessitated my need for legal representation was very stressful on me and my family and the lawyers here were with me every step of the way. I could always…

5 Stars Review 5
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07/05/2015

I retained Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek for a serious personal injury case. They were very professional and managed to obtain a settlement for me that far exceeded my expectations. I would strongly recommend this firm for anyone’s legal needs.

5 Stars Review 5
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07/05/2015

After meeting a half dozen lawyers at different firms, I decided to go to Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek. As soon as I met Jon Damashek, I knew I had to look no further. Mr. Damashek made me feel at ease…

5 Stars Review 5
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07/05/2015

After meeting with Jon Damashek I knew immediately he was the right attorney for me. I had met with other attorneys in the past, but Jon’s experience, knowledge, and track record were most impressive. I highly recommend Jon Damashek and…

5 Stars Review 5
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07/05/2015

I know all three named partners at this firm and highly recommend them. They are very professional and tireless advocates for their clients. If you need a personal injury attorney, you cannot do better than Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek.

5 Stars Review 5
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07/05/2015

I have worked with countless attorneys over the years and Jon Damashek stands out among them. I have seen first hand him advocate for his clients vigorously. He fights for the rights of the seriously injured, does not back down…

5 Stars Review 5
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07/05/2015

I had the opportunity to work with Jon Damashek and had an amazing experience. I have known Jon for many years and always felt very comfortable relying on his expertise and knowledge of the law and more importantly his ability…

5 Stars Review 5
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07/05/2015

I cannot recommend Jon Damashek highly enough. I attribute the favorable outcome to my case to his consummate and tireless dedication and tenacity. Just as important, he was truly there with me every step of the way. He was very…

5 Stars Review 5
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06/05/2019

I had the opportunity of having this amazing team of lawyers work on my case. When I first met with Jordan Hecht and Michael Kusz, I really liked their energy and the spunk that they had, it meant business and…

5 Stars Review 5
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05/01/2015

“I had the opportunity to work with Jon Damashek and had an amazing experience. I have known Jon for many years and always felt very comfortable relying on his expertise, knowledge of the law, and more importantly – his ability…

5 Stars Review 5
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05/01/2015

“I cannot recommend Jon Damashek highly enough. I attribute the favorable outcome of my case to his consummate and tireless dedication and tenacity. Just as important, he was truly there with me every step of the way. He was very…

5 Stars Review 5
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Average 5 out of 5 rating based on 43 Reviews

HKD Client

Some of our results include:

$9,000,050

Construction Workers Injured on an Exterior Scaffold

Labor Law

$8,000,000

Child Burned by Scalding Water in the Shower

Premises Liability

$7,900,000

Construction Workers Injured When a Scaffold Collapsed

Premises Liability

$7,625,000

Construction Accident - Fall from Scaffold

Brain Injury

Firefighting Foam Contains Carcinogens

Though the military and firefighters have used AFFF for decades, it contains known carcinogens, which are chemicals that increase the risk of people developing cancer or other diseases. The chemicals in AFFF are known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) are two of the most common examples.

These chemicals are persistent in the environment, which means they stick around. They’re known to accumulate in wildlife, including water sources. When a person is exposed to PFAS, their body readily absorbs it and doesn’t get rid of it easily.

Because PFAS are carcinogens that accumulate in the body, they increase an exposed person’s risk of certain conditions, including:

  • Kidney cancer
  • Testicular cancer
  • Bladder cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Thyroid disease

Elevated Chemical Levels in Firefighters

Because firefighters are most often exposed to AFFF, they face a high risk of the dangers associated with these carcinogens.

A study published by researchers from The University of Queensland, Örebro University, and the Queensland University of Technology in 2015, demonstrated that firefighters were exposed to the PFAS. They compared blood samples from 20 firefighters against 20 students and office workers. They found nine fluorinated compounds either only in the firefighters. Five of the compounds were known in the literature, while four unknown compounds were tentatively identified as chemicals analogous to PFOS.

Other researchers looked at chemical levels on California firefighters. Concentrations of PFAS were three times higher in the firefighter group than adult males in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The Government and Industries Know These Chemicals Are Dangerous

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the military, and manufacturers are well-aware of the dangers of PFAS, including those in firefighting foam. According to the EPA, certain PFAS chemicals aren’t manufactured in the U.S. anymore. Through the PFOA Stewardship Program, eight major chemical manufacturers agreed not to put PFOA and related chemicals in their products.

The military is moving forward with new generations of foams that don’t contain PFOS or little-to-no PFOA. The Air Force is swapping out an older foam with a new type and improving procedures to prevent water contamination, which is an issue around numerous bases. The Navy is working on policies to require the removal and disposal of AFFF installed in firefighting systems and then will replace it with a new type of foam. The Army also plans to replace its current firefighting foam stock.

Additionally, the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes provisions to phase out the military use of foams containing PFAS chemicals and prohibit the military from using AFFF containing PFAS chemicals during training exercises.

Who Is Liable for AFFF-related Cancer?

If you were diagnosed with cancer or disease linked to chemicals in firefighting foam, talk with us about your legal options. The companies that manufactured firefighting foam might have known about the health risks for decades. But these companies continued to manufacture and sell the products.

PFFF manufacturers include but aren’t limited to:

  • 3M Company
  • DuPont
  • Chemours Company
  • Chemguard
  • Corteva, Inc.
  • Buckeye Fire Equipment Co.
  • Kidde-Fenwal
  • National Foam
  • Tyco Fire Products

We will review your case and discuss the possibility of filing a product liability lawsuit against one or more of these companies. You deserve justice for being exposed to carcinogens throughout your career.

Are You a Firefighter Diagnosed with Cancer?

If you’re a firefighter who spent years working with AFFF and have been diagnosed with cancer, call an experienced attorney to discuss your options. You might have the right to file an AFFF cancer lawsuit.

Our team at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. is here to hold negligent and irresponsible businesses liable for exposing workers to dangerous substances for decades. Call us at 212-490-5700 for a free consultation regarding your eligibility to file a firefighting foam cancer lawsuit. You also can reach out through our short online form.

There is never any cost to consult with us about a possible legal claim. If you choose us to represent you, there are no upfront or hourly fees. We only get paid if we win compensation.

AFFF Exposure Near Airports and Air Bases

People who live near airports or air bases have likely had extensive exposure to harmful AFFF chemicals as well. AFFF has been widely used at airports and air bases and the harmful chemicals in the product are transmitted over the air and through water. Our team can determine if AFFF was used at locations near you and whether it may have caused your cancer.

It’s best to work with an attorney because it can be difficult to obtain the necessary information from airports and air bases. It often requires us to file a lawsuit and demand information through the discovery process. The discovery process can be time-consuming and involves deadlines that must be followed. We will guide you through this process.