Oregon Firefighter Turnout Gear Lawyer

Firefighters face some of the most dangerous work requirements, and the services they provide to their communities are essential and invaluable. They rely on specialized equipment to keep them as safe as possible while performing their duties, but many types of turnout gear have been found to contain PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), often called forever chemicals. An Oregon firefighter turnout gear lawyer is a valuable resource if you have gotten sick from PFAS.

Legal Counsel for Victims of PFAS-Contaminated Firefighter Turnout Gear

The toxic firefighter gear attorneys at Bliven Law Firm, P.C., have years of experience helping clients in Oregon with toxic exposure cases, including cases arising from PFAS found in firefighter turnout gear. This gear is essential while fighting fires, but PFAS in gear can leech into the wearer’s body, eventually causing a host of life-changing medical complications, including various cancers, damage to internal organs, and more.

Recently, our firm joined two other law firms to file a class-action lawsuit representing Butte-Silver Bow City and council citizens. This suit targets several companies, such as 3M and DuPont/Chemours, citing the severe and rampant health hazards their products have presented to firefighters, leading to costly replacements of vitally important firefighter turnout gear. The suit alleges that more than one million firefighters face severe health risks from PFAS exposure.

Firefighters across Oregon have come forward with various health complications linked to PFAS in firefighter turnout gear. While these individuals have fought fires to keep their communities safe and have faced extreme dangers on the job, they have discovered that the gear they trust with their lives has been making them sick in various ways.

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with cancer or any other medical condition you believe was caused by PFAS exposure in firefighter turnout gear, Bliven Law Firm, P.C., can review the details of your case and help you understand your legal options. You likely have grounds to file a toxic exposure lawsuit against the product manufacturer, but these cases are inherently challenging, and you will need an experienced attorney’s help to succeed.

Building Your Case for Toxic Firefighter Turnout Gear in Oregon

A firefighter must use multiple pieces of turnout gear, such as a heavy coat, pants, boots, gloves, a helmet, and a mask. Each piece of equipment needs to have three core components:

1. A thermal lining to provide critical heat protection. This lining can reduce heat stress, allowing firefighters to continue working for longer periods of time at reduced risk. This lining contributes significantly to the turnout gear’s overall fire protection.
2. A moisture barrier to protect against water and chemical exposure. These barriers may also protect against some viral agents, but they will deteriorate over time and are vulnerable to physical damage. They require diligent maintenance and replacement when repairs are no longer possible.
3. The outer shells of firefighter gear create the first line of defense against active flames. Outer shells can also help protect firefighters from cuts and other injuries while navigating damaged structures.

According to a report from the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), occupational cancers caused 65% of line-of-duty deaths among career firefighters between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2021. Firefighters face a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general population. PFAS exposure from turnout gear has been confirmed as a contributing factor to this increased risk.

Firefighters inherently face severe health risks such as smoke inhalation, toxic fumes, and burning debris of various kinds inside burning structures. If you or a family member worked as a firefighter in Oregon and has been diagnosed with cancer or any other medical condition linked to PFAS in firefighter turnout gear, it’s crucial to consult an experienced attorney at Bliven Law Firm, P.C., at your first opportunity.

Filing Your Toxic Exposure Case for Firefighter Turnout Gear in Oregon

Whenever a piece of firefighter turnout gear has been confirmed as a PFAS risk, it must be replaced immediately. Most firefighter turnout gear is extremely expensive, amounting to several thousand dollars per firefighter. The manufacturers that have produced and sold these toxic products should not only be held accountable for the cost of replacement gear but also for the adverse medical conditions their products have caused.

An Oregon firefighter turnout gear lawyer at Bliven Law Firm, P.C., can assist you in determining which course of legal counsel would be most viable for your situation. You likely have grounds to claim compensation for multiple damages if you have been diagnosed with cancer linked to PFAS in firefighter turnout gear:

• The plaintiff in a toxic exposure case can seek full compensation for their medical treatment costs and the future medical expenses they are likely to face related to their condition.
• If the plaintiff cannot work due to their condition, they have the right to seek compensation for lost income and lost future earning capacity if they are unable to return to work in the future.
• A plaintiff can seek compensation for pain and suffering. An Oregon firefighter turnout gear lawyer can help you determine a suitable amount that reflects the severity of the physical pain, psychological suffering, and emotional distress you have experienced because of your diagnosis.
• If a family member has died from cancer or any other disease linked to exposure to PFAS, their family will likely have grounds to file a wrongful death suit against the manufacturer.

Defendants in toxic exposure cases are also often compelled to pay punitive damages alongside the other damages they owe to plaintiffs. Companies have also faced heavy fines and other penalties for knowingly producing turnout gear and other products that present clear health risks.

An experienced Oregon firefighter turnout gear lawyer will be an invaluable asset to your case. Bliven Law Firm, P.C., has extensive experience helping clients through complex toxic exposure cases, and we are ready to leverage this experience on your behalf. If you are unsure what to do after your diagnosis, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Oregon firefighter turnout gear lawyer you trust.