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Napoli Shkolnik PLLC and the Law Offices of Brian Cunha & Associates have filed a lawsuit against five manufacturers of aqueous firefighting foams (“AFFF”) containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (“PFOS”) and perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA”) for the contamination of the groundwater relied upon by Hyannis, Hyannisport, and West Hyannisport. The class action complaint was filed in the Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts and names The 3M Company, Tyco Fire Products L.P., Buckeye Fire Equipment Company, National Foam, Inc. and Chemguard Inc. as the defendants.
Decades of use, storage, and disposal of AFFF at the Barnstable Municipal Airport and the Barnstable County Fire/Rescue Training Academy caused the widespread PFOA and PFOS contamination of groundwater in the surrounding communities, including contaminating the municipal water system and private wells serving Hyannis, Hyannisport, and West Hyannisport. Over 15,000 community members have been exposed to drinking water contaminated with PFOA and PFOS and have had their properties and soil contaminated with PFOA and PFOS.
The class action complaint alleges that plaintiffs and others similarly situated in Hyannis, Hyannisport, and West Hyannisport have been exposed to high levels of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and are now at an increased risk of several health effects, including effects on the liver and the immune system, high cholesterol, changes in thyroid hormone, as well as kidney and other cancers. Studies have also shown an association between increased PFOA blood levels and increased risks for several health effects in children (for example, effects on birth weight, cognitive and behavioral development, immune function, and cholesterol levels). Unfortunately many of these serious health issues can be long-term, especially in children. Local officials have even warned pregnant women and babies should not consume the water.
The complaint also states that property values in the area have dropped as a result of the contamination.
“These persistent, toxic chemicals should have never been produced and released into the environment. It is vital that we hold these companies accountable and seek justice for those that have been harmed, and for the community as a whole,” said Louise Caro, one of the attorneys who filed the class action.
If you own property in Hyannis, Hyannisport, or West Hyannisport, or have been diagnosed with testicular cancer, kidney cancer, liver or thyroid disease, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure that may be the result of your exposure to PFOA or PFOS, you may be able to recover damages. Napoli Shkolnik PLLC and The Law Offices of Brian Cunha are ready to help those who pursue personal injury and property claims related to PFC contamination. Give us a call today to discuss your legal options; the call and our advice are free. There is no obligation and we only recover a fee if we win your case.
In the News
Class Action lawsuit filed over Hyannis well contamination, Cape Cod Times (April 23, 2018)
About The Law Offices of Bruan Cunha & Associates
The Law Offices of Brian Cunha & Associates specializes in personal injury cases and represents clients from all over New England including Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island with three offices conveniently located in East Providence, Rhode Island, Fall River and New Bedford, Massachusetts.