As a cancer affecting the bone marrow, multiple myeloma occurs in over 35,000 Americans every year. It is often a very aggressive disease, as only 60% of the people who have it survive for five years or longer following diagnosis. The causes of multiple myeloma include toxic exposure, which is common among civilian and military firefighters using the fire suppressant AFFF regularly. Because it sometimes contains up to 98% PFAS, a group of harmful chemicals, this fire suppressant poses a major health threat to firefighters.
Frequent exposure to AFFF can have irreversible effects on the blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the first symptom firefighters who develop multiple myeloma experience is usually bone pain. The disease can impact the bones in the spine, causing them to collapse and press on the spinal cord. Exposure to PFAS from AFFF can result in T-cell depletion, which is associated with progressive impairment of immunity, but also in the following effects on the blood and blood-forming tissues:
Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell malignancy affecting the immune system. In this disease, the malignant cells are less able than healthy plasma cells to produce antibodies to fight infections. Furthermore, individuals with multiple myeloma also have defects in other immune cells, which makes it harder to mount an immune response. If you are or were a civilian or military firefighter and believe you have multiple myeloma, we advise you to seek medical assistance if you experience the following symptoms, which might indicate the occurrence of this disease:
In the regrettable event that you worked as a civilian or military firefighter, were exposed to AFFF, and now struggle with multiple myeloma, we encourage you to give us a call, as you might be eligible to file a claim and obtain financial compensation. While money cannot cure this disease, they might help you afford better treatment and cover up medical expenses and other costs. The process is simple and will require minimal involvement from you, as we understand how physically and emotionally draining having cancer can be.
Our team of experts has over 35 years of experience in assessing toxic exposure and personal injury claims, so we have the necessary knowledge and resources to help civilian and military firefighters exposed to AFFF who struggle with multiple myeloma determine whether they are entitled to compensation. To have your case evaluated, all you have to do is call us and send us your employment or military records and your medical records. If we deem you eligible, we will put you in touch with a skilled attorney to have your claim filed.