Did your family experience negative health effects from exposure to PFOA water contamination in New Hampshire? If so, you may have a legal option to seek damages to cover your medical expenses, pain, suffering, and other losses.
Our team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, steps in to help in these situations. Reach out to a PFOA water contamination lawyer in New Hampshire for information about your legal options. Call us or fill out our online contact form to get started.
What Is PFOA and Is It Dangerous?
We use the term PFOA to refer to perfluorooctanoic acid. PFOA is a fluorinated organic compound that’s part of a larger grouping of compounds called PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances). These substances do not occur in nature; they are strictly man-made.
Manufacturers use PFOA and other PFAS substances to make products waterproof, non-stick, or stain-resistant. Many companies have used PFOA and similar substances since the 1950s in New Hampshire and other states around the country.
While PFOA has many industrial uses, exposure to the compound leads to severe health problems. This issue becomes a cause for concern because many companies allowed PFOA to enter the water supply around manufacturing facilities.
How did PFOA Contaminate Water in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire experienced serious problems with PFOA water contamination, first noticed in 2016. According to studies performed since the initial signs of contamination, most of the issues came from the SGPP plant located in Merrimack, New Hampshire.
Thousands of properties in this area tested positive for the presence of PFOA in the drinking water. Currently, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services plans to provide safe drinking water to impacted residents in:
- Bedford
- Hudson
- Litchfield
- Merrimack
- Londonderry
However, providing safe drinking water at this point does not undo the previous health effects of PFOA water contamination in New Hampshire.
If you – or a member of your family – experienced adverse health effects due to PFOA exposure, reach out to a New Hampshire water contamination lawyer for help.
What Are the Health Effects of PFOA Water Contamination?
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) published information about the potential health effects of exposure to PFOA in New Hampshire. According to the ATSDR, high levels of PFOA in the water could result in:
- Decreased infant birth weight
- Liver enzyme changes
- Higher levels of cholesterol
- A decreased response to vaccines
Additionally, individuals exposed to high PFOA levels in the water may have higher risks for developing:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- High blood pressure or pre-eclampsia during pregnancy
Not everyone exposed to a PFOA experiences the same health response. However, if you develop any associated conditions and know you were exposed to PFOA, contact a lawyer to review your situation and find out if you have a claim.
Can You Get Compensation for PFOA Water Contamination in New Hampshire?
PFOA water contamination in New Hampshire only received official recognition in 2016. In some cases, individuals exposed to PFOA who developed serious health conditions associated with the compound received compensation for their losses.
A water contamination lawyer serving New Hampshire can assess your situation to determine if you have a claim. Lawyers often look at documents that show:
- You lived in an area with PFOA in the water.
- You developed a condition associated with PFOA exposure.
- You incurred medical expenses or other costs due to the condition.
In this situation, lawyers often move forward with legal claims to assist their clients during their recovery.
What Compensation Can You Receive for PFOA Exposure in New Hampshire?
If you developed a health condition due to PFOA contamination in New Hampshire, you could receive funds to cover your losses. Lawyers generally focus on bringing their clients funds to cover:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Wages lost at work during their recovery from PFOA-related conditions
- Lost earning potential if PFOA-exposure leads to a disability
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
You have legal options if exposure to PFOA contaminated water negatively impacted your health in New Hampshire.
How Much Compensation Can You Get for PFOA Exposure?
It’s natural to wonder how much compensation you’ll receive after exposure to PFOA-contaminated drinking water. The amount of damages you will receive varies based on the severity of your health condition and the medical costs you face.
Allow a lawyer to review your specific losses today, helping you to move forward with your claim.
How Long do You Have to File a PFOA Exposure Claim?
PFOA water contamination in New Hampshire often leaves individuals facing serious medical conditions. Some individuals feel tempted to wait to handle their legal concerns after a medical diagnosis, preferring to focus on their recovery.
However, New Hampshire does have a statute of limitations governing legal claims for compensation. If you wait too long to move forward with a legal claim, you lose your right to seek damages. Therefore, it’s a good idea to reach out to a New Hampshire water contamination lawyer for help right away.
Generally, you have a few years to file your claim. Find out more about the specific time limit for your case with a law firm in New Hampshire.
Why Choose Us to Handle PFOA Water Contamination Claims?
Our team has years of experience handling challenging legal claims in New Hampshire. We strive to put our clients first while standing up to large companies and industries that put harmful substances into the water in our area.
We have a record of success when it comes to handling tough cases. We use our experience, training, and resources to investigate what happened to cause your condition and to record all the losses you sustained.
We don’t back down when we take on claims for clients like you. We’ve also handled other water contamination claims, including those associated with Camp Lejeune.
Talk to Us About Water Contamination in New Hampshire
Our team at Ben Crump, PLLC, provides assistance with claims dealing with PFOA water contamination in New Hampshire. Reach out to us if you developed an associated condition after exposure to PFOA through your drinking water.
Find out how we can help by calling us or filling out our online contact form.