Montana Firefighter Turnout Gear Lawyer

Firefighters have one of the most dangerous jobs, and they rely on various pieces of equipment to keep themselves as safe as possible when responding to fires. However, the turnout gear used by many firefighters throughout the United States has been found to contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of chemicals that are highly dangerous. A Montana firefighter turnout gear lawyer is an essential resource if you have used this type of gear.

Representing Victims of Contaminated Firefighter Turnout Gear

The team at Bliven Law Firm, P.C., has extensive experience representing clients in all types of toxic exposure cases, including PFAS claims related to firefighter turnout gear. This is the gear all firefighters must wear to stay as safe as possible while fighting fires, but toxic gear is extremely hazardous. You may have various legal options available to you if you have been diagnosed with any type of medical condition linked to PFAS exposure and contamination.

Recently, Bliven Law Firm, P.C., joined two other local firms in a class-action lawsuit representing Butte-Silver Bow city and county residents. The suit targets companies including DuPont/Chemours, 3M, and others, alleging that the rampant health hazards presented by PFAS in their products led to costly replacements of necessary firefighter turnout gear. The lawsuit alleges that more than one million firefighters may face health risks from their protective equipment due to the use of PFAS in their turnout gear.

Many firefighters throughout Montana have come forward about their health circumstances related to PFAS exposure. These individuals have faced incredible dangers to keep their communities safe, only to discover that the turnout gear they have used for countless firefighting calls has made them sick. Turnout gear made with PFAS has been linked to various cancers, reproductive harm, kidney and liver diseases, and a host of other medical complications.

• Bliven Law Firm, P.C., can review the details of your situation and explain your legal options for pursuing accountability. You may have grounds to file a toxic exposure lawsuit against a PFAS product manufacturer, but you will need an experienced attorney’s help to succeed. Your Montana Firefighter Turnout Gear Lawyer at Bliven Law Firm, P.C. can be an invaluable asset to your recovery efforts. PFAS exposure in turnout gear is a leading cause of cancer and other illness for firefighters, notably testicular cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, and ulcerative colitis.

Building a Case for Toxic Firefighter Turnout Gear

Firefighter turnout gear includes multiple pieces, all of which are essential to keep a firefighter as safe as possible while they perform their job duties. Firefighters require the use of heavy-duty helmets, boots, gloves, pants, and coats. Each of these pieces of equipment must have three basic components:

• Thermal linings provide critical protection from heat and help to reduce heat stress, allowing firefighters to continue working for longer at reduced risk. Thermal linings contribute significantly to turnout gear’s overall thermal insulation.
• Moisture barriers help to protect against exposure to water, liquid chemicals, and even some viral agents. These barriers will deteriorate over time and are prone to damage, meaning they require careful maintenance and regular replacement.
• Outer shells of firefighter turnout gear are the first line of defense against active flames. The shells of firefighter turnout gear can also protect firefighters from abrasions and cuts during their operations.

The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) recently reported that between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2021, occupational cancer caused 65% of line-of-duty deaths among career firefighters. Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of developing cancer than the general population of the United States and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general population.

While firefighters face various health hazards due to the inherent nature of their duties, such as smoke inhalation and exposure to toxic fumes, turnout gear containing PFAS has now been identified as a major contributing factor to the number of firefighter cancer diagnoses and deaths in the United States each year. If you believe your recent diagnosis was caused in this way, you need to speak with a Montana firefighter turnout gear lawyer as quickly as possible.

Building a Toxic Exposure Case for PFAS in Firefighter Turnout Gear

When PFAS firefighter gear is identified, it needs to be replaced immediately. This gear is extremely costly, and the municipalities that purchase this gear to keep their firefighters safe while they protect their communities should not be left to face the cost of replacement. Manufacturers who have produced toxic products are responsible for these costs, and they are also responsible for the adverse health effects their products have caused.

Your Montana firefighter turnout gear lawyer can help you determine what type of legal action would be most suitable for your situation. If you have been diagnosed with cancer or any other medical condition linked to PFAS exposure from your firefighter turnout gear, you likely have grounds to claim compensation for multiple damages:

• Plaintiffs in toxic exposure cases have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses and future medical treatment costs related to their conditions. These costs may include chemotherapy, surgery, and ongoing rehabilitative care.
• A plaintiff may be unable to work due to their diagnosis, in which case they would have grounds to claim compensation for their lost income and lost future earning capacity.
• Plaintiffs also have the right to seek pain and suffering compensation. Your attorney can help you determine a suitable amount that reflects the severity of your experience.
• When a family member has died from a disease linked to PFAS exposure, their family may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death case against the product manufacturer.

A defendant in a toxic exposure case may also be compelled to pay punitive damages, especially if the facts show they knew about the health risks their products presented. Many companies have been fined, alongside the damages the courts have required them to pay out to the victims of their toxic products.

Ultimately, these cases can be challenging in various ways, but Bliven Law Firm, P.C., can provide the representation you need in this situation. Our firm is currently involved in a major class-action suit regarding PFAS toxic exposure, and we are confident we can leverage our skills and experience on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help.