Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals found in numerous industrial and consumer products. Due to their persistence in the environment and potential health risks, they have become a significant concern. Exposure can occur through contaminated drinking water, food, consumer products, and occupational exposure. Health effects linked to PFAS exposure include certain cancers, immune system effects, thyroid disease, and developmental issues.
As a result of widespread contamination and the associated health concerns, numerous lawsuits have been filed against companies responsible for producing and distributing PFAS chemicals. Many of these cases have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) or have resulted in significant settlement agreements. These settlements aim to compensate individuals and communities for damages, including health issues, property value depreciation, and the cost of remediation.
How the PFAS Settlement Calculator Works
This calculator provides an *estimated* potential settlement value based on several key factors. It is important to understand that actual settlement amounts can vary significantly based on the specifics of the litigation, the jurisdiction, the strength of evidence, and the terms of any specific settlement fund. This tool is designed to give a rough approximation for informational purposes only.
The calculation incorporates the following inputs:
Number of Household Members Affected: Acknowledges that multiple individuals within a household may have been exposed and experienced impacts.
Estimated Years of Exposure: Longer periods of exposure often correlate with a greater risk of adverse health effects and thus a potentially higher claim value.
Total Documented Medical Expenses (USD): Direct costs incurred due to PFAS-related health issues.
Estimated Future Medical Needs (USD): Anticipated ongoing or future medical treatment and care related to PFAS exposure.
Estimated Property Value Impact (USD): Compensation for the diminished market value of properties located in contaminated areas.
The calculator uses a simplified model that assigns weights to these factors to arrive at a preliminary estimate. The formula is:
Estimated Settlement = ( (Household Members * 5000) + (Years Exposed * 3000) + Medical Expenses + Future Medical Needs + Property Value Impact ) * Base Multiplier
*Note: The "Base Multiplier" is a conceptual factor to represent the complexity and overall value of a specific settlement fund. For this general calculator, we use a multiplier of 1.2 to account for potential pain and suffering, inconvenience, and other non-quantifiable damages that are often considered in settlements.*
Example Calculation:
Consider a family of 4 who have lived in a contaminated area for 15 years. They have documented medical expenses totaling $7,500 and estimate $20,000 in future medical needs. Their property value has decreased by an estimated $30,000.
This example illustrates how the various inputs contribute to a potential settlement figure.
This calculator is for educational and estimation purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Settlement amounts are highly specific to individual cases and the terms of approved settlements. Consult with a qualified legal professional for advice regarding your specific situation.
function calculatePFASSettlement() {
var householdSize = parseFloat(document.getElementById("householdSize").value);
var yearsExposed = parseFloat(document.getElementById("yearsExposed").value);
var medicalExpenses = parseFloat(document.getElementById("medicalExpenses").value);
var futureMedicalNeeds = parseFloat(document.getElementById("futureMedicalNeeds").value);
var propertyValueImpact = parseFloat(document.getElementById("propertyValueImpact").value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
if (isNaN(householdSize) || isNaN(yearsExposed) || isNaN(medicalExpenses) || isNaN(futureMedicalNeeds) || isNaN(propertyValueImpact) ||
householdSize <= 0 || yearsExposed <= 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.";
resultDiv.style.color = "#dc3545";
return;
}
var baseHouseMemberComponent = householdSize * 5000;
var baseYearsComponent = yearsExposed * 3000;
var totalComponents = baseHouseMemberComponent + baseYearsComponent + medicalExpenses + futureMedicalNeeds + propertyValueImpact;
var baseMultiplier = 1.2; // Represents potential pain/suffering, inconvenience, etc.
var estimatedSettlement = totalComponents * baseMultiplier;
if (isNaN(estimatedSettlement) || estimatedSettlement < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Calculation error. Please check your inputs.";
resultDiv.style.color = "#dc3545";
} else {
var formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
minimumFractionDigits: 0,
maximumFractionDigits: 0,
});
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Estimated Settlement: " + formatter.format(estimatedSettlement);
resultDiv.style.color = "#004a99";
}
}