Florida’s identity is intrinsically linked to water. From the pristine beaches of the Gulf Coast to the sprawling Everglades and the vital aquifers beneath our feet, water is the lifeblood of our state. We trust that the water flowing from our taps is safe to drink, cook with, and give to our children. When that fundamental trust is broken by the silent, unseen threat of chemical contamination, it is a profound betrayal.
The PFAS water contamination in Florida lawsuit represents a fight to hold irresponsible corporations liable for polluting our state’s most precious resource and harming its people. For residents in communities across Florida, from Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach County to the Panhandle, learning that their water may be tainted with “forever chemicals” is deeply alarming. If you or a family member has developed a serious illness after long-term exposure to contaminated water, you have the right to demand answers and accountability.
At The Russo Firm, we stand with Floridians, providing the legal strength and unwavering advocacy needed to challenge powerful polluters and seek the justice you deserve.
What Are PFAS “Forever Chemicals”?
PFAS is an abbreviation for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, a large group of thousands of man-made chemicals. They have been used for decades in a wide variety of industrial and consumer products due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil. You can find them in everything from non-stick cookware and fast-food wrappers to stain-resistant carpets and, most significantly, in certain types of firefighting foam.
They are called “forever chemicals” for a chillingly simple reason: they do not break down easily in the environment or in the human body. Once they enter our soil and water systems, they can remain there for generations. When ingested, they can accumulate in the body over time, leading to a host of severe health problems.
How Florida’s Water Became Contaminated with PFAS
PFAS contamination in Florida is not a random or natural occurrence. It is the direct result of these chemicals being manufactured and used for decades, often without regard for their environmental persistence or health risks. The contamination typically seeps into the ground and finds its way into the Floridan aquifer, the primary source of drinking water for millions of residents.
Key sources of PFAS contamination in our state include:
- Military Bases and Airports: Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) is a highly effective fire suppressant that has been used for decades in training exercises and to extinguish fuel fires at military bases and airports. However, the historic use of AFFF at facilities like Patrick Space Force Base, Jacksonville Naval Air Station, and other sites across Florida has led to significant groundwater contamination.
- Industrial Facilities: Manufacturing plants that produced or used PFAS in their processes may have discharged these chemicals into local water sources or disposed of them in landfills, where they leached into the soil and groundwater.
- Wastewater Treatment Plants: These facilities are not always equipped to filter out forever chemicals, which means PFAS from industrial and consumer waste can pass through the treatment process and be discharged back into Florida’s rivers and waterways.
The Serious Health Risks Linked to PFAS Exposure in Florida
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified significant health risks associated with exposure to certain PFAS chemicals, even at very low levels. The persistent nature of these chemicals allows them to build up in the body, where they can disrupt critical biological functions.
According to the EPA and other health organizations, long-term exposure to PFAS has been linked to a number of severe medical conditions, including:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Liver damage
- Ulcerative colitis
- High cholesterol
- Decreased fertility and pregnancy-induced hypertension
- Developmental issues in children
- Reduced vaccine response in children
For Florida families facing a diagnosis of one of these conditions, the discovery of PFAS in their local water supply can be a devastating realization, connecting their personal health crisis to a widespread environmental failure.
Why The Russo Firm Should Be Your Advocate in This Fight
When your opponent is a multi-billion-dollar chemical manufacturer or a large industrial polluter, you need a legal team with the experience, resources, and resolve to stand up for your rights.
The Russo Firm was founded on the principle of fighting for injured Florida residents and mass tort plaintiffs across the nation against powerful entities.
A History of Taking on Complex Corporate Litigation
Our attorneys bring decades of dedicated experience to environmental and product liability law. We have a long and successful history of representing victims in complex cases against corporations that prioritize profits over people. This background provides us with a deep understanding of the scientific and legal strategies required to prove a link between contamination and our clients’ injuries.
A Compassionate Approach to Your Family’s Story
We know that this is more than a legal case; it is about your health, your family, and your future. We make it our mission to listen to your story, understand how this contamination has impacted your life, and treat you with the dignity and respect you deserve. This personalized focus allows us to build a case that reflects your unique damages and fight for a result that truly meets your needs.
We Have the Resources Needed to Uncover the Truth
Environmental litigation is a resource-intensive battle. It requires extensive investigation, expert testimony from toxicologists and hydrogeologists, and the ability to analyze decades of corporate records. The Russo Firm has the financial strength and professional network to conduct this level of investigation, ensuring we can build the most robust case possible on your behalf.
Our No-Fee Guarantee Means We Are Invested in Your Success
We firmly believe that your financial situation should never be a barrier to justice. The Russo Firm handles PFAS water contamination claims on a contingency fee basis. This means you will never pay us any upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs. We only get paid if we successfully secure a financial recovery for you. We are fully invested in your fight.
Ready to explore your rights? Schedule your free case evaluation now.
The Evolving Legal Landscape of PFAS Litigation
The fight for accountability for PFAS contamination is one of the largest and most complex legal challenges of our time. It involves a combination of national litigation and state-level actions.
Many lawsuits related to PFAS in firefighting foam have been consolidated into a multi-district litigation (MDL) in South Carolina. This MDL centralizes cases from across the country to streamline the legal process. However, many other claims, particularly those against specific polluters or those involving water providers, are being filed as individual or group lawsuits in state courts.
In Florida, victims have rights under laws designed to protect citizens from environmental harm and corporate negligence. State laws, such as those under the Florida Air and Water Pollution Control Act, establish a framework for holding polluters accountable. Navigating this legal landscape requires a firm that understands both the national scope of the problem and the specific laws that protect Floridians. The Russo Firm is equipped to guide you through the proper legal venue for your claim, whether it is part of a national MDL or a direct action in a Florida county court for Fort Lauderdale PFAS water contamination.
What Compensation is Available in a Florida PFAS Lawsuit?
A successful lawsuit can provide critical financial relief for the immense burdens your family is facing. Our goal is to secure compensation, known as legal damages, that covers both your tangible financial losses and the profound personal suffering you have endured. Most legal damages are grouped into two categories:
Economic Damages
These are the calculable financial costs associated with your illness and the contamination. We will work to recover compensation for:
- All past, present, and future medical bills related to your PFAS-linked illness.
- The cost of ongoing medical monitoring to screen for future health problems.
- Lost income and wages if your illness has prevented you from working.
- Diminished future earning capacity.
- Costs associated with installing water filtration systems or securing clean water.
- In some cases, a reduction in your property’s value due to known contamination.
Non-Economic Damages
This compensation is for the serious, non-financial ways this ordeal has affected your life. This may include:
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional anguish and mental distress.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Disruption to your family and personal relationships.
If the company responsible for violating Florida laws and contaminating the water that made you sick acted with intentional misconduct or gross negligence, a Florida court might order punitive damages to punish the defendant and help deter that type of behavior in the future. Punitive damages are not commonly awarded, and our legal team can explain whether they apply to your unique circumstances.
PFAS Water Contamination in Florida FAQs
How do I know if my water in Florida is contaminated with PFAS?
You can start by checking the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your local water utility, which may list PFAS testing results. You can also check the websites of the Florida Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection for advisories. If you live near a known contamination site like a military base, the risk may be higher.
What if I am not sick now, but I lived in a contaminated area for years?
Even if you are not currently diagnosed with a PFAS-related illness, you may still have a claim. Some lawsuits seek compensation for medical monitoring, which would cover the cost of regular health screenings to detect potential diseases at their earliest, most treatable stages.
Who is being sued in these lawsuits?
The primary defendants are often the chemical companies that designed and manufactured PFAS, such as 3M and DuPont. In addition, lawsuits may also target the industrial facilities, military branches, or other entities that used these chemicals and allowed them to contaminate the local environment and water supply.
How much does it cost to file a PFAS lawsuit?
At The Russo Firm, there are no upfront costs. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. This means we cover all the expenses of litigation, and we only collect a fee if we secure a financial settlement or verdict in your favor.
Will I have to join a class action lawsuit?
While some PFAS cases are class actions or multidistrict litigation (MDL), many are handled as individual personal injury claims. In a class action, everyone receives a similar outcome. However, in an MDL or individual claim, you can pursue compensation based on your specific injuries and damages. Our experienced mass tort legal team can explain the best legal path for your unique situation.
Trust The Russo Firm to Demand Accountability for Your Injuries Arising From Water Contamination in Florida
Corporate negligence should never compromise the health and safety of your family. We believe the companies that profited from these dangerous “forever chemicals” knew, or should have known, about the risks they posed to our environment and our health. It is our goal to hold them accountable and protect injured Florida residents from negligent corporate acts.
The Russo Firm is proud to be a Florida-based law firm, deeply committed to the well-being of our communities. From our home in Delray Beach, we are ready to take on polluters and fight for families across the state. Let us be your voice for justice.
Contact us today for a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation to discuss your PFAS water contamination in Florida lawsuit.
Call our office directly at (954) 767-0676 or complete our online contact form to set up your complimentary case review.