Long Island Water Contamination Lawsuit [2026 Update]
PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Drinking Water for Nassau and Suffolk County Families
You should be safe in your own home. You should not have to wonder whether the water you drank for years, water you cooked with, bathed in, and gave to your children, may have put your health at risk.
Across Long Island, New York, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often called “forever chemicals,” have become a serious concern in drinking water supplies. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a serious illness after years of drinking, cooking, and bathing in Long Island tap water, you deserve answers and a legal team that takes your health seriously.
Greenstein & Pittari, LLP helps Nassau County and Suffolk County families understand their rights and pursue accountability.
Free, Confidential Consultation
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) or message us online. There is no upfront cost, and no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation.
2026 Update on PFAS in Long Island drinking water
Federal PFAS drinking water standards and the compliance timeline
In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized the first national drinking water standards for several PFAS chemicals, including strict limits for PFOA and PFOS.
In May 2025, the EPA announced it would keep the core PFOA and PFOS standards, but revisit or rescind parts of the rule covering several other PFAS chemicals and extend the compliance timeline for PFOA and PFOS from 2029 to 2031.
New York PFAS limits
New York set statewide Maximum Contaminant Levels of 10 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS in 2020.
What this means for Long Island residents: regulations can change, but the core issue remains the same. People may have been exposed for years without meaningful warning, and many are now coping with life-changing diagnoses.
Talk to a Long Island water contamination lawyer today.
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a free, confidential consultation.
Why PFAS contamination is a significant issue on Long Island, NY
Long Island relies heavily on groundwater. Over the decades, industrial activity, chemical handling, and the use of firefighting foam at airports and military-related sites have contributed to contamination concerns in certain areas.
Long Island communities often hear about:
- Bethpage and the Navy Grumman groundwater plume and related remediation efforts
- Long Island MacArthur Airport, which New York regulators have linked to PFAS-containing firefighting foam concerns and PFAS detections in soil and groundwater
PFAS is not always the only concern. Some communities have also been affected by solvents and other emerging contaminants. The legal and medical questions are fact-specific, which is why early evaluation matters.
What are PFAS “forever chemicals”?
PFAS are a large group of artificial chemicals used for decades in products that resist heat, water, grease, or stains. Many PFAS compounds do not break down easily. They can persist in the environment and may accumulate in the human body over time.
PFAS are commonly associated with:
- Firefighting foams (AFFF) used at airports, military sites, and industrial facilities
- Certain manufacturing and chemical processing activities
- Consumer products, although drinking water exposure claims typically focus on contamination of the water supply
Is the water in Nassau or Suffolk County contaminated with PFAS?
Some Long Island water suppliers have reported PFAS detections in annual water quality reporting, and advocacy groups have highlighted concerning findings in specific districts.
If you are concerned about your address, start here:
- Review your local water supplier’s annual water quality report
- Confirm whether filtration or treatment was installed, and when
If you want help identifying the proper documents and what matters legally, our team can guide you.
Free consultation for Long Island PFAS exposure
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462).
PFAS exposure symptoms and health risks
Medical science continues to evolve, but public health guidance has associated PFAS exposure with severe conditions, and agencies have warned that PFAS can be harmful even at very low levels.
PFAS lawsuits often focus on diagnoses such as:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Liver cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Preeclampsia (pregnancy-related high blood pressure) is also discussed as a PFAS concern
Important: A diagnosis does not automatically prove PFAS caused it. Strong cases are built with medical records, exposure history, and supporting water or area evidence.
Free case review
We will review your diagnosis and Long Island address history and tell you whether the facts may support a PFAS water contamination claim.
Who may qualify for a Long Island PFAS water contamination lawsuit?
You may be a candidate for a claim if you can show:
- Long-term exposure, often years, through drinking, cooking, or bathing with contaminated water
- A qualifying diagnosis, or a wrongful death claim for a loved one
- Proof of residence or work in the impacted area (leases, utility bills, tax records, employment records)
- Medical documentation that fits your timeline of exposure
Even if you are unsure whether your exposure came from tap water, well water, or both, we can help you map the story.
If you think you waited too long, feel free to call anyway.
Deadlines can be complex in toxic exposure cases. I’d appreciate it if you could get answers before you assume you are out of time.
Who can be held responsible for PFAS contamination?
PFAS cases often focus on manufacturers and companies associated with PFAS-containing products, primarily when evidence supports a failure to warn or other wrongdoing.
Companies frequently discussed in PFAS litigation include:
- 3M
- DuPont and related corporate entities
Depending on the facts, responsible parties can include entities whose actions contributed to contamination pathways.
Types of Long Island water contamination claims involving PFAS
PFAS litigation can consist of:
- Personal injury lawsuits for people diagnosed with PFAS-linked illnesses
- Municipal and water provider claims seeking costs of testing, filtration, and infrastructure upgrades
- Environmental damage suits in some contexts
For most families, a personal injury claim is about medical costs, lost income, and the human toll of illness.
Where PFAS cases are being handled and what that means for Long Island
Many PFAS firefighting foam cases have been centralized in MDL 2873 in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina for coordinated pretrial proceedings.
Your case is still about Long Island. Your exposure history, your medical care, and your damages remain the foundation of your claim.
Compensation in a Long Island PFAS lawsuit
Every case is different. Depending on the facts, compensation may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Out-of-pocket costs (travel for treatment, specialists, home accommodations)
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members, where applicable
- Loss of consortium, where applicable
A note about PFAS settlements you may have seen in the news: Some significant agreements were designed to address public water system contamination costs. They were not intended to compensate every individual injury victim directly. That is why an individual evaluation matters.
How Greenstein & Pittari, LLP builds a Long Island PFAS case
We typically focus on four pillars:
- Exposure history (where you lived or worked, when, and what water source)
- Medical timeline (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis)
- Scientific and regulatory support (water testing, reporting, standards, expert review)
- Accountability (identifying potentially responsible companies or entities)
You do not need to have everything organized before you call. We will help you figure out what matters and what to ask.
New York deadlines for toxic exposure claims
New York’s toxic exposure statute (CPLR 214-c) generally measures specific deadlines from the date the injury is discovered, or should have been found with reasonable diligence. These cases can be deadline-driven and fact-specific.
The safest step is simple: speak with a Long Island water contamination attorney as soon as you suspect a connection.
Free consultation, protect your rights.
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) today.
Frequently Asked Questions about Long Island PFAS water contamination lawsuits.
What are PFAS “forever chemicals”?
PFAS are artificial chemicals used in many products. Many PFAS persist in the environment and may accumulate in the body over time. Some have been detected in drinking water supplies.
How do PFAS get into Long Island drinking water?
Common pathways include industrial releases, manufacturing runoff, landfill leaching, and firefighting foam (AFFF) used at airports or other facilities. New York regulators have documented concerns about PFAS foam at Long Island MacArthur Airport.
How can I check PFAS levels in my town on Long Island?
Start with your water supplier’s annual water quality report. Look for PFAS testing results and information about treatment or filtration, including when it was installed.
What illnesses are linked to PFAS exposure in drinking water?
PFAS litigation often focuses on kidney cancer, testicular cancer, liver cancer, thyroid cancer, thyroid disease, and ulcerative colitis. Preeclampsia is also discussed as a PFAS-related concern.
Do I need proof that my water was contaminated to file a claim?
You need evidence supporting exposure. That often includes address history, water system reporting, and timing. Our office can help you find out what evidence is available and what strengthens a claim.
Is there a Long Island PFAS class action?
Some PFAS litigation involves settlements for public water systems and remediation costs. Individual injury claims are often filed as particular cases, though they may be coordinated in MDL proceedings.
I used a water filter. Can I still have a PFAS case?
Possibly. It depends on when filtration began, whether it was properly maintained, and how prolonged exposure occurred before filtration. Water use for cooking and bathing may also matter.
What documents should I gather for a PFAS lawsuit?
Medical records confirming diagnosis and treatment, proof of residence or work, and any water-related notices or reports. Wage records and medical bills can also help document damages.
How long do I have to file a PFAS lawsuit in New York?
Deadlines can depend on when the injury was discovered and other case-specific factors. Because timing rules in toxic exposure cases can be complex, could you speak with an attorney as soon as you can?
How much is a Long Island PFAS lawsuit worth?
Case value depends on diagnosis, treatment burden, exposure history, lost income, and the impact on daily life. There is no one-size-fits-all number.
How much does it cost to hire Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation.
What should I do right now if I am worried about PFAS in my water?
Get medical guidance first. Save medical paperwork and basic address history documents. Then talk to a Long Island PFAS lawyer to understand your options and protect your rights.
Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari?
- No fee unless we win your case, Our Fee Guarantee
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- We handle the insurance companies so you can focus on healing
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Do not be a victim twice.
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)
At Greenstein & Pittari, we specialize exclusively in personal injury law, with a proven track record of results, responsiveness, and relentless advocacy. We offer free consultations, work on contingency, and fight for clients every day across New York.
We have seven convenient locations throughout New York. We maintain offices in Long Island, Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Yonkers.
You can call us today at 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to schedule your confidential consultation and take the first step toward the compensation and justice you deserve. The call is free. The consultation is free. You do not pay us unless we are successful. That is our Fee Guarantee, no fee unless successful.