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Westwood and Dedham Massachusetts PFAS Lawsuit
Westwood and Dedham Massachusetts PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuit
Across Massachusetts, residents are grappling with a serious crisis: PFAS contamination in their drinking water. These toxic “forever chemicals” have seeped into aquifers, tainting water supplies across our state. For years, people relied on the safety of their water, only to discover it could be the source of severe, life-threatening illnesses.
Having close ties to Dedham and Westwood Massachusetts, Attorney Tracy Paulsen is passionate about ensuring access to clean, safe drinking water for all. Through the Massachusetts PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuit, her mission is to help local residents harmed from drinking from the Dedham-Westwood contaminated water supply the compensation they deserve. Her mission is to hold corporations and manufacturers accountable for introducing these dangerous substances into Massachusetts’ water systems, seeking justice for those affected.
⇨If you have been harmed, contact the Dedham and Westwood PFAS contamination attorneys at Rightful Legal today.
Attorney Paulsen provides every client with dedicated, personalized support. She and her team carefully evaluate claims for eligibility, explain the legal process in clear terms, and help clients understand the potential value of their cases. From the first consultation to case resolution, the Dedham and Westwood Water Contamination Lawyers at Rightful Legal are focused on securing fair compensation for victims of PFAS exposure.
If you or someone you know has suffered health problems linked to PFAS-contaminated water, you may have the right to pursue compensation for conditions like:
- kidney cancer,
- testicular cancer,
- liver cancer,
- thyroid cancer, or
- ulcerative colitis
⇨Ensuring Massachusetts Citizens have access to safe clean drinking water is at the heart of Attorney Paulsen’s work, and she remains steadfast in her commitment to defending the rights of Massachusetts communities against polluters.
History of PFAS Contamination in the Dedham-Westwood Drinking Water Supply
In recent years, the Dedham-Westwood area in Massachusetts has confronted significant challenges due to PFAS contamination in its drinking water. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals used in various industrial and consumer products for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. Over time, these “forever chemicals” have leached into the environment, contaminating water supplies. In response, the Dedham-Westwood Water District (DWWD) filed a lawsuit in February 2023 against major manufacturers like 3M and DuPont, alleging their role in introducing PFAS into the local water systems.
The sources of PFAS contamination in the Dedham-Westwood Water District are primarily attributed to the widespread use of these chemicals in various products and industrial processes. PFAS have been used in firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, water-repellent fabrics, and other applications. Over time, these substances can leach into groundwater and surface water, leading to contamination of drinking water sources.
The health implications of PFAS exposure are a growing concern, including increased thyroid and kidney cancer among young individuals. Studies have indicated a link between PFAS exposure and an increased risk of thyroid cancer and kidney cancer. Attorney Paulsen has spoken with Dedham and Westwood residents who have noted this as a particular concern among those who grew up drinking DWWD water contaminated with PFAS.
Is Dedham and Westwood Drinking Water Safe under Environmental Regulations?
Regular testing of the DWWD water supply has been conducted to monitor PFAS levels since April 2021. The water has shown PFAS contamination, which continues to the present time.
⇨Recent testing shows PFAS contamination as high as 15 parts per trillion (ppt) in Dedham and Westwood drinking water.
While PFAS levels in Dedham and Westwood drinking water are currently in compliance with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP’s) maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 20 ppt, they continue to exceed the lower of 4 ppt MCL set by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. This means the water could still be harming residents with life threatening illnesses. Residents with previous exposure dating decades ago could only be discovering their injuries right now are from drinking PFAS contaminated water.
Maximum Contaminant Levels for Massachusetts vs. the Federal Levels
In April 2021, Massachusetts introduced regulations for PFAS, setting the current limit of 20 ppt for six specific PFAS compounds. That same month, DWWD began mandatory sampling, revealing PFAS levels in its water supply.
The EPA had previously addressed PFAS concerns in its 2016 Health Advisory, which set a combined lifetime advisory limit of 70 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most studied PFAS chemicals. While non-regulatory, the advisory highlighted potential health risks of prolonged exposure, including developmental issues, thyroid problems, immune system effects, elevated cholesterol, and cancer. It also recommended testing and mitigation measures, especially for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and infants.
In response to increasing evidence of PFAS toxicity, the EPA proposed enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for drinking water in March 2023. These regulations included a stringent 4 ppt limit for both PFOA and PFOS. A year later, in April 2024, the EPA finalized new rules under the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR). These rules reinforced the 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS and introduced a Hazard Index of 1 for mixtures of other PFAS compounds, such as PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS.
The updated EPA standards represent a significant shift from the 2016 advisory and from MassDEP regulations, which allow for higher exposure levels. They reflect a growing understanding of PFAS’s health risks and a commitment to stricter safeguards. These measures aim to reduce public health risks associated with PFAS contamination and provide more robust protections for communities nationwide.
Even as PFAS decontamination efforts of the Dedham-Westwood Drinking Water Supply continue, PFAS remains in the human body, building up over time. It is important to remember that even once drinking water in Dedham and Westwood is decontaminated, if you were drinking contaminated water for even 6 months since 1990, you are at risk of serious illness. The more contaminated water you have consumed in your life, the greater your risk.
⇨If you are concerned PFAS-contaminated drinking water has made you ill, Rightful Legal offers a totally free and confidential initial consultation for those harmed by PFAS in Dedham, MA and Westwood, MA drinking water. Call today to discuss your case and learn what your options are moving forward: 617-821-5856.
Are you Eligible for Compensation if you Drank PFAS Contaminated Water?
You could be eligible if:
- You or a loved one drank PFAS-contaminated Dedham or Westwood drinking water for at least 6 months since 1990, and
- You or the loved one has been diagnosed with kidney cancer, liver cancer, thyroid cancer, testicular cancer, or ulcerative colitis since 2000.
You could be eligible to bring a wrongful death lawsuit if you have lost a loved one to one of these diseases.
What Compensation can be Claimed in a Dedham PFAS lawsuit?
Compensation can include past and future lost wages, past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and potential punitive damages.
What should you do if you believe your cancer or ulcerative colitis was caused by drinking PFAS contaminated water in Massachusetts?
If you may be eligible, you should contact an experienced Massachusetts PFAS drinking water contamination attorney today. Proving your case that you were harmed by drinking water contaminated with PFAS is challenging. Polluting manufacturers fight hard to escape responsibility. Attorney Tracy Paulsen of Rightful Legal and her team of Dedham-Westwood PFAS lawyers are passionate about holding polluters accountable for the harm they caused you.
What should you look for in a Dedham-Westwood PFAS Water Contamination Attorney?
You should find an attorney who provides a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to help you understand your case. At Rightful Legal, we provide potential clients a totally free and confidential consultation.
You should also look for an attorney who understands the science behind PFAS injuries and is passionate about environmental justice. Attorney Tracy Paulsen earned her Bachelors from the University of Virginia in Environmental Science and her JD from Suffolk Law School, and has extensive experience in environmental law where an understanding of the intersection of science and law are of the utmost importance.
Finally, you should select an experienced attorney who will Fight for Your Rights and the Justice you deserve. As a Massachusetts PFAS exposure lawyer, Attorney Paulsen has worked previously for the manufacturer who has been held liable for polluting. She now works for the people, protecting their legal rights. Attorney Paulsen understands from the inside that victims are just numbers to the corporations. She also knows how to fight back to hold polluting manufacturers accountable for the devastating physical harm they have caused to innocent Massachusetts residents.
How much time do you have to file your PFAS claim in Dedham or Westwood Massachusetts?
If you are eligible, it is crucial that you take decisive action quickly. Massachusetts allows claimants only 3 years from the date you discovered (or should have discovered) you PFAS related injury.
Because PFAS builds up and remains in the human body for long periods of time, exposure could have happened many years before an injury is discovered.
It is important to contact an experienced and compassionate Dedham and Westwood PFAS Water Contamination Lawyer today so that you do not run out of time and lose your only opportunity to obtain justice. Our team at Rightful Legal can help calculate the date of your injury and ensure you do not miss your chance.
How To Contact Rightful Legal?
