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Military Base Water Contamination Lawsuit: PFAS & AFFF Claims for Veterans
If you served at a US military base and were exposed to PFAS-contaminated water from AFFF firefighting foam — and were later diagnosed with cancer or serious illness — you may be entitled to significant compensation from AFFF manufacturers like 3M and DuPont.
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Military Base PFAS Contamination: What Happened
For decades, the US military relied on AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) to fight jet fuel and other flammable liquid fires. AFFF was used in fire suppression training, emergency response, and accident containment at hundreds of military installations across the country.
What the military did not fully disclose to servicemembers was that AFFF contains extremely high concentrations of PFAS — "forever chemicals" that don't break down and leach into groundwater. Servicemembers and their families who lived on base drank contaminated water for years, sometimes decades, with no knowledge of the risk.
The Department of Defense has now identified more than 700 military installations with confirmed or suspected PFAS contamination from AFFF use. Many of these bases provided drinking water to tens of thousands of servicemembers and their families.
Military PFAS Contamination — Key Facts
- 700+ military installations with known PFAS contamination (DoD data)
- AFFF contained PFOS/PFOA — among the most toxic PFAS compounds
- Manufacturers: 3M (primary AFFF maker), DuPont, Tyco, and others
- $10.3B settlement by 3M with water utilities (2023)
- Personal injury claims against AFFF manufacturers remain available
- Veterans AND civilian families living near bases may qualify
- Claims against AFFF manufacturers (NOT the US government) — FTCA doesn't apply
Which Military Bases Are Affected?
The following military installations are among those with documented PFAS contamination from AFFF use (this is not an exhaustive list):
- Camp Lejeune (NC) — Also subject to separate Camp Lejeune Justice Act claims for TCE/PCE contamination
- Robins Air Force Base (GA)
- Tinker AFB (OK)
- Travis AFB (CA)
- El Toro Marine Corps Air Station (CA)
- NAS Jacksonville (FL)
- Eglin AFB (FL)
- Dover AFB (DE)
- Malmstrom AFB (MT)
- Peterson AFB (CO)
- And hundreds more across all 50 states and US territories
If you served at or near a military base and are not sure if it's on the contamination list, our water contamination checker can help, or we can assist you in determining your base's PFAS status.
Can Veterans Sue for PFAS Contamination?
This is one of the most common questions we receive — and the answer requires an important distinction:
Claims Against AFFF Manufacturers (Available)
Veterans and their families can file civil claims against the companies that manufactured AFFF — primarily 3M, DuPont/Chemours, Tyco, and other manufacturers. These companies knew or should have known about the health risks and sold AFFF to the military without adequate warnings. These civil claims are not barred by the FTCA.
Direct Claims Against the US Government (Limited)
The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) generally bars lawsuits against the US government for injuries related to military service. However, certain programs — including the PACT Act and Camp Lejeune Justice Act — have created specific pathways for veterans to seek government compensation for toxic exposure injuries.
The primary litigation pathway for PFAS/AFFF claims is through civil suits against AFFF manufacturers, not the US government.
Health Conditions Qualifying for Military PFAS Claims
Conditions Linked to Military AFFF/PFAS Exposure
- Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) — strongest documented link
- Testicular cancer — elevated rates in military populations studied
- Thyroid disease — thyroid cancer and thyroid disorders
- Ulcerative colitis — inflammatory bowel disease
- Liver damage — including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Bladder cancer
- Prostate cancer — some studies show elevated risk
- Breast cancer — under study
- Other cancers and immune disorders
Who Qualifies for a Military Base PFAS Claim?
You may have a valid claim if:
Qualifying Criteria
- You served at, lived on, or lived near a US military base with known PFAS contamination
- AND you were diagnosed with kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, liver damage, or another PFAS-linked condition
- You are within your state's statute of limitations for filing
Civilian families who lived near contaminated military bases may also qualify — the contamination often spread to community water supplies beyond base boundaries.
Free Case Evaluation for Veterans and Their Families
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Frequently Asked Questions
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