PFAS in the Workplace: What You Need to Know About PFAS Exposure and Your Legal Options
For years, workers in industries across the country have unknowingly handled chemicals that never leave the environment—or their bodies. These substances, known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are found in everything from firefighting foam to food packaging, cookware, clothing and upholstery, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, dental floss, and more. Traces of PFAS are found nearly everywhere, in the air, water and soil.
And now, the dangers are coming to light. And so are its effects on the people exposed to them.
🔬 What Are PFAS and Where Are Workers Exposed?
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s for their resistance to water, oil, and heat. While effective in countless industrial applications, they’ve earned the nickname “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down—and they build up in the human body over time.
Jobs and Industries Most at Risk
If you’ve worked in or around the following industries, you may have been exposed to PFAS:
- Firefighting (especially military and airport firefighters using AFFF foam)
- Chemical plants manufacturing or using PFAS compounds
- Electronics manufacturing
- Metal plating and finishing
- Textile and carpet production
- Paper and packaging industries
- Semiconductor fabrication
- Aerospace and automotive plants
- Military bases and defense contracting
Many workers handled PFAS-containing materials without warning labels, safety training, or proper protective equipment.
🧬 Health Risks from Occupational PFAS Exposure
Long-term PFAS exposure can lead to serious health problems. Scientific research and federal agencies have linked PFAS to:
- Kidney and testicular cancer
- Liver damage/cancer
- Thyroid disorders/cancer
- High cholesterol
- Hormonal and reproductive issues
- Immune system dysfunction
- Developmental harm to unborn children
Workers may be exposed by inhaling dust, handling contaminated materials, or even through contaminated water at work.
The CDC’s ATSDR page on PFAS Health Effects offers more detail on the science behind these risks.
With millions of clients across the country involved and billions of dollars at stake, PFAS contamination cases and their related settlements have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) cases. MDL is a legal process designed to streamline complex civil cases by combining related lawsuits into a single federal district court.
These conditions have been approved for claims with current PFAS MDL as of July 2025:
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Ulcerative colitis (a type of IBS)
If you have been diagnosed with one or more of the following medical conditions and believe you may have been exposed to PFAS, call us here at Herd Law Firm today to discuss your options!
⚖️ Legal Rights and Compensation for Exposed Workers
If you believe your job exposed you to PFAS and it caused health problems, you may have two primary legal options:
🛡️ 1. Workers’ Compensation Claims
Workers’ compensation may cover:
- Medical bills and cancer treatment
- Lost wages from time off work
- Permanent disability benefits
- Occupational disease classifications (state-specific)
However, PFAS-related claims can be denied or contested by insurers, especially if:
- You weren’t diagnosed while still employed
- Exposure occurred over many years
- The employer denies knowledge of PFAS risks
If your claim is denied, you may still have options under toxic exposure law.
⚖️ 2. Toxic Chemical Exposure Lawsuits
If a manufacturer, supplier, or employer failed to warn you about the risks of PFAS, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit for:
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical monitoring
- Lost future earnings
- Punitive damages (for willful misconduct)
These cases can be individual lawsuits or part of larger mass tort litigation—especially for firefighters and plant workers exposed to aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF).
🧑🚒 Firefighters, Airport and Military Personnel/Veterans Take Note:
You may have rights against manufacturers of PFAS-based firefighting foams. Recent cases show growing momentum for compensation.
🧪 What You Can Do Now
- Get Medical Attention/Screening – Blood tests can detect PFAS levels and assess health risks.
- Document Your Medical History– Save all medical records, including diagnoses, doctor or treater information, hospitalization dates and records, pharmacy and prescription records, and any other information related to medical appointments or treatments.
- Document Your Work History – Save job records, safety data sheets (SDS), incident reports, and co-worker statements/accounts.
- Consult an PFAS Attorney – Here at the Herd Law Firm, we handle PFAS exposure cases and would be happy to hear from you to discuss your options.
⏳ Statute of Limitations: Don’t Wait
The time to file a claim is limited by state law. In some states, the “clock” starts when you are diagnosed—or when you first learn your illness may be linked to PFAS exposure. That’s why it’s crucial to act quickly
Don’t delay if you suspect a connection. Speaking early ensures medical evidence and exposure history can be documented while it’s still fresh.
🧭 Final Thoughts: No Worker Should Be Left in the Dark
PFAS exposure isn’t just an environmental crisis—it’s a workplace safety issue. For decades, workers in high-risk jobs were never told they were handling toxic, persistent chemicals that could put their lives in danger.
If you or a loved one may be one of them, it’s time to get informed and take action. Your health, your family, and your future may depend on it.
📞 Need Help?
If you think PFAS contamination has affected your or a loved one’s health, we recommend you consult with a law firm familiar with PFAS exposures, medical results and claims options. You can call us at the Herd Law Firm about PFAS-related claims at 713-955-3699 or email us at Charles.Herd@herdlawfirm.com to discuss your options!
READY TO FILE?
The science is clear, the damages are real. And the legal framework is in place.
If you believe you were harmed by PFAS exposure, you have the right to seek justice. Don’t wait! Time may be running out to join existing litigation and secure compensation.
We the Herd Law Firm, PLLC, we support every man, woman, and child exposed to contaminants, and believe you deserve quality, attentive legal representation. We are proud to be able to aid our veterans, their families, and others exposed to toxins in seeking restitution for their injuries.
7/16/25
