Tyco Fire is a subsidiary of Johnson Controls. This multi-million dollar company is entangled in many legal issues because they’re a major manufacturer of AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) or firefighter foam. This foam has been widely used not only in fire departments, but also in military bases, industrial sites, and airports. However, after decades of use, studies now reveal that the firefighter foam contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), specifically PFOS and PFOA, or “forever chemicals,” which cause serious health issues and environmental risks.
AFFF is a highly effective fire suppressant for flammable liquid fires, however, studies have shown that PFAS, which are a primary component of AFFF, don’t break down easily and can lead to the development of serious diseases like:
Because of the growing evidence of the harmful effects of PFAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken steps to regulate these toxic chemicals. One of the EPA's main focuses is reducing water contamination in communities because of AFFF use.
Military and civilian firefighters with PFAS-related diseases filed lawsuits against Tyco and other AFFF manufacturers like 3M Company and DuPont. Tyco is also among the key defendants in the multidistrict litigation (MDL 2873), which combines all lawsuits related to AFFF exposure into one case filed in the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in the South Carolina Federal Court.
The plaintiffs' main argument is that Tyco knew about the dangers of PFAS in AFFF, but they continued selling products that endangered human health. Also, Tyco allegedly failed to adequately warn users, especially firefighters, about the dangers of PFAS in AFFF. Legal actions against Tyco Fire continue to grow as new plaintiffs file claims after connecting their current health conditions to PFAS exposure.
Civilian and military firefighters with PFAS-related disease due to exposure to AFFF manufactured by Tyco Fire may have grounds for legal claims. Timing in filing claims is crucial when pursuing an AFFF personal injury claim against giants like Tyco. Statutes of limitations also vary by state, and evidence becomes harder to gather over time. Atraxia Law offers free evaluations to determine if you qualify for compensation.
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