New York PFAS Lawsuit Overview

If you live in New York and were diagnosed with kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, or another PFAS-linked condition after drinking contaminated water or experiencing occupational AFFF exposure, you may be eligible to file a PFAS personal injury claim.

PFAS personal injury cases can be filed in federal courts and may be consolidated in the AFFF MDL 2873 in the District of South Carolina, regardless of where in New York you live. You do not need to travel — your attorney handles filing and proceedings on your behalf.

New York Statute of Limitations
3 Years
SOL Type
Discovery Rule May Apply

New York Statute of Limitations Details

New York generally uses a 3-year limitations period for personal injury, while specific discovery provisions may apply in some toxic exposure contexts.

Don't Wait: The statute of limitations clock may be running from your diagnosis date. If your PFAS-linked condition was diagnosed more than 2 years ago, your window may be closing. Consult a PFAS attorney promptly to confirm your specific deadline.

PFAS Contamination in New York

New York has confirmed PFAS contamination in water supplies through EPA UCMR 5 monitoring data. Sources of PFAS contamination in New York may include:

  • Municipal water systems serving New York City, Buffalo, Rochester and surrounding communities that have detected PFAS above EPA limits
  • Military installations in New York where AFFF firefighting foam was used in training and emergency response
  • Industrial facilities that manufactured or used PFAS chemicals
  • Agricultural areas where PFAS-containing biosolids were applied to farmland

To confirm PFAS contamination in your specific water system, search the EPA UCMR 5 database using your water system name or zip code. Your water utility is also required to publish annual Consumer Confidence Reports that must disclose PFAS testing results.

Who Qualifies for a PFAS Claim in New York?

To file a PFAS personal injury claim as a New York resident, you generally need:

  1. Documented exposure to PFAS — through confirmed contaminated municipal water, military base AFFF exposure, firefighting occupational exposure, or another documented source
  2. A diagnosis of a PFAS-linked condition: kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, thyroid disease, bladder cancer, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol (diagnosed), or another qualifying condition
  3. Your condition developed during or after your PFAS exposure period
  4. Your claim is within New York's 3-year statute of limitations window
Check Your Eligibility →

How the PFAS MDL Works for New York Residents

Most PFAS personal injury cases involving AFFF foam are part of MDL 2873 in the District of South Carolina. This means your case is coordinated with thousands of similar cases nationwide for efficiency — but your claim remains individual. Bellwether trials in the MDL test how juries respond to the evidence, which typically drives settlement negotiations that benefit all plaintiffs.

For non-AFFF PFAS cases (e.g., municipal water contamination from industrial sources), cases may be filed in state court in New York or federal court depending on the defendants and facts.

Finding a PFAS Attorney in New York

You don't necessarily need to hire a New York-based attorney for a PFAS claim — mass tort attorneys often practice nationally. However, a local attorney understands New York state law nuances that affect your claim. Options for finding a PFAS attorney:

  • Submit our free case review form to be matched with an attorney in our network
  • Contact the New York State Bar lawyer referral service
  • Search for mass tort or environmental litigation attorneys in New York

Neighboring State PFAS Information