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Toxic Chemical Found in Firefighters’ Protective Clothing

Toxic Chemical Found in Firefighters’ Protective Clothing

In February 2022, a complaint was filed for a products liability case in the United States District Court of Massachusetts on behalf of 15 Massachusetts firemen against 28 industrial corporations, including 3M Company, DuPont, Chemguard, and Tyco Fire Products.

Product liability allows plaintiffs to sue if they come across a faulty consumer product. Although this doctrine can be classified as negligence, it is most commonly connected with strict liability, which means that defendants can be held accountable regardless of their intent or knowledge.

If you have sustained an injury from a product and believe the company or manufacturer is to blame, contact the experienced Boston products liability attorneys at Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C.

Firefighters nationwide file Products Liability Suit

According to a recent article, hundreds of firefighters around the country are suing manufacturers for exposure to “forever” chemicals that were found in their protective clothing and equipment. The case that was initially filed named 25 corporations as defendants (and growing), alleging that they manufactured, distributed, or marketed the items while being aware of the potential health dangers.

The lawsuit is a multidistrict litigation suit and will likely be joined with the other cases being filed and will eventually become a class-action lawsuit against the named defendants. Currently, there are suits being filed in South Carolina, Maryland, and Massachusetts.

Multidistrict litigation is when a court gathers related cases from various jurisdictions and decides them in one court. Class action lawsuits, on the other hand, have one named plaintiff as the representative for the combined class.

Fifteen Firefighters in Boston Join Suit

The Boston firemen claim that their turnout gear (protective clothing) included harmful human-made forever chemicals known as PFAS, which were designed to resist and repel oil, heat, and water, according to the lawsuit. Cancer, tumors, liver damage, immune system and endocrine abnormalities, thyroid illness, and ulcerative colitis have all been linked to PFAS chemicals. Humans can be exposed to PFAS by inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact.

In December, increased amounts of the chemicals in question — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS — were identified in the blood of fifteen current and retired firemen in the state. The plaintiffs claim they were exposed to the toxins while wearing “turnout” coats and firefighting foam. All 15 claimants are currently suffering from cancer, which they attribute to their exposure to PFAS.

Contact the Products Liability Attorneys at Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, PC

Consumers may suffer serious injury or even death as a result of unsafe products. If you or a loved one has been hurt as a result of a defective product, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. We represent consumers who have been harmed as a result of defective products at Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. Allow our Boston personal injury lawyers to assist you in filing a products liability lawsuit.

Contact Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. now to book a free consultation. You can do so online or by calling 617-917-3917. Our professionals are ready to assist you.