Thyroid disease is a general term for medical conditions preventing the thyroid gland from releasing the right amount of hormones the body requires to function normally. Currently, over 20 million Americans have thyroid disease, and women are five to eight times more likely to develop it. In civilian and military firefighters, the cause of thyroid disease is sometimes AFFF exposure, as this fire suppressant contains PFAS, a group of highly toxic chemicals that are endocrine disruptors. Exposure to these dangerous substances can result in the following thyroid diseases, which are also the diagnoses that might deem firefighters eligible to file a claim:
Once inside the body, PFAS act as endocrine disruptors due to their ability to interfere with the hormone system. These harmful chemicals may disrupt the thyroid hormone system with possible negative effects on pregnancy outcomes and fetal development in women. Any step in the biosynthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones might be affected by PFAS exposure. Out of this group of substances, PFOA and PFOS were found to accumulate in thyroid cells, where they caused a cytotoxic effect in people exposed to high concentrations.
While thyroid disease is significantly more common in women, male civilian and military firefighters are also at high risk of developing it if they used AFFF. If you experience the following symptoms, you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible, as you might have a form of thyroid disease:
Between 40% and 60% of people with thyroid disease are not aware they have it, so this condition can be challenging to diagnose, even for the most experienced medical professionals. For this reason, if you are a firefighter exposed to AFFF and believe you have thyroid disease, it is essential to seek a second and even a third opinion so you can receive a correct diagnosis.
Not only is having the right diagnosis vital for your prognosis but also for your eligibility if you intend to file a claim. If you have thyroid disease as a civilian or military firefighter who used AFFF, do not hesitate to contact Atraxia Law, as we can efficiently help you find out whether you are entitled to compensation from the responsible manufacturers.
With over 35 years of experience in evaluating toxic exposure and personal injury claims, our team of experts is ready to offer you the assistance you need. If you want to file a claim for AFFF exposure, you will only have to send us your employment or military records and your medical records to have your case reviewed. Eligible individuals will promptly be put in touch with a reliable, specialized attorney so they can have their claims filed as soon as possible.
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