If you consumed contaminated water near a Florida military base or from an affected municipal system, you may have a claim in the ongoing federal PFAS mass tort litigation. MDL 2873 -- the PFAS Products Liability Litigation -- is consolidated before Judge Richard M. Gergel in the District of South Carolina and remains active as of June 2026.
This page explains Florida's filing window, who qualifies, and how exposure is documented. This is not legal advice. Talk to a licensed attorney in your state before taking any action on a PFAS claim.
Last updated: June 2026. MDL 2873 (D.S.C.) status: active. Personal injury claims ongoing.
What PFAS Litigation Covers in 2026
PFAS -- per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances -- are synthetic chemicals used in nonstick coatings, food packaging, and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), the firefighting foam deployed at military bases and airports for decades. PFOA and PFOS are the most litigated; the EPA set enforceable limits of 4 parts per trillion for each in 2024.
MDL 2873 is the primary federal proceeding for PFAS contamination claims, consolidated in the District of South Carolina. Two landmark settlements have resolved utility claims: 3M agreed to pay up to $10.3 billion to water system plaintiffs, and DuPont/Chemours/Corteva agreed to $1.185 billion. Neither settlement covers individual personal injury claimants. Individual cases against PFAS manufacturers remain active in MDL 2873 as of June 2026.
Florida's Filing Window for PFAS Claims
Florida's general negligence statute of limitations is 4 years under Fla. Stat. section 95.11(3)(a), but the applicable deadline for a PFAS claim depends on the legal theory and when your injury was discovered. The statute of limitations varies by state and claim type.
The discovery rule is critical in PFAS cases: Florida courts typically start the SOL clock when a plaintiff knew or should have known about the injury and its causal connection to PFAS -- not when the exposure occurred. If contamination was concealed, tolling doctrines may extend the window further.
Florida PFAS claimants file in one of three federal district courts -- Northern (Pensacola, Tallahassee), Middle (Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando), or Southern (Miami, Fort Lauderdale). Cases transfer to MDL 2873 via Conditional Transfer Order. Some claimants pursue state court, which operates under different rules.
Do not assume a particular deadline governs your claim. Talk to a licensed attorney in your state before any deadline passes.
Who Qualifies: PFAS Exposure Sources in Florida
Florida has a significant military footprint with documented AFFF usage at multiple installations:
- ·Eglin Air Force Base (Fort Walton Beach) -- extensive flight-line AFFF use, one of the largest bases in the country
- ·Tyndall Air Force Base (Panama City) -- fighter pilot training, documented AFFF history
- ·Naval Air Station Pensacola -- Navy flight training, AFFF documented
- ·Naval Air Station Jacksonville -- large Naval aviation hub with AFFF usage
- ·MacDill Air Force Base (Tampa) -- Special Operations Command, AFFF use documented
Some Florida municipal water systems have also tested above EPA PFAS limits. Review your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for PFAS data. You may qualify if you consumed contaminated water from an affected source for a meaningful duration and have a PFAS-linked medical diagnosis.
Medical Conditions Linked to PFAS
Conditions most frequently cited in PFAS personal injury litigation include:
- ·Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma)
- ·Testicular cancer
- ·Thyroid disease and thyroid cancer
- ·Ulcerative colitis
- ·Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol)
- ·Pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia
- ·Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (some studies; science still developing)
The scientific literature on PFAS health effects continues to grow, and the list of qualifying conditions in litigation may expand as new research is published. Talk to a licensed attorney to determine whether your specific diagnosis is being raised in active PFAS cases.
How to Document PFAS Exposure in Florida
Evidence for a Florida PFAS claim falls into three categories:
Exposure records: Annual Consumer Confidence Reports from your water utility (available from the utility or Florida DEP), DoD PFAS Installation Action Reports (publicly available), FOIA requests to military installations for contamination history, and residential records (leases, utility bills, voter registration) establishing where you lived and when.
Medical records: Pathology and biopsy records confirming your diagnosis, treating physician and specialist notes, and blood serum PFAS testing results if available.
Timeline documentation: Employment records if you worked near an affected base, and school enrollment records for children in affected areas.
Florida Courts and Transfer to MDL 2873
PFAS personal injury claims with federal jurisdiction filed in Florida transfer to MDL 2873 in South Carolina:
- ·Northern District (Pensacola, Tallahassee, Panama City) -- relevant for claimants near NAS Pensacola, Eglin AFB, Tyndall AFB
- ·Middle District (Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando) -- relevant for MacDill AFB and NAS Jacksonville claimants
- ·Southern District (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach)
A significant defense in AFFF cases is the military contractor defense under Boyle v. United Technologies Corp., limiting claims against contractors who built products to government specifications. MDL 2873 courts have issued mixed rulings on its scope -- an important factor your attorney will assess.
What the Settlement Framework Looks Like
The major PFAS settlements to date resolved water utility claims only, not individual personal injury plaintiffs. As of June 2026, no publicly announced global settlement program exists for individual PFAS personal injury claimants.
Bellwether trials in MDL 2873 are expected to shape future resolution amounts. Published reports from mass tort tracking organizations note that per-person amounts vary significantly based on diagnosis severity, exposure duration, and case-specific factors. No responsible source can quote a per-person settlement number before bellwether verdicts establish a liability and damages framework. An attorney handling MDL 2873 cases can give you a current read on where negotiations stand.