Forever Chemicals Discovered in Rockford-Area Water Systems
Personal Injury - June 4, 2025
Local Residents Alarmed After Forever Chemicals Discovered in Rockford Water Systems
ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS (June 3, 2025) – Numerous Illinois communities have alerted local residents that forever chemicals were discovered in their water systems.
Several communities received the notice about forever chemicals, including residents in Machesney Park, Freeport and Rockton. These chemicals have been linked to numerous negative health outcomes in both humans and animals.
The Illinois EPA has indicated that the forever chemicals were found in numerous items in addition to water supplies. This includes freshwater, fish, livestock, plants, fruits, and vegetables.
Construction has been initiated to build a new well and water treatment plant in one community to ensure local residents have access to safe drinking water.
The source of the contamination remains uncertain.
Liability for Illnesses Caused by Forever Chemicals
Exposure to forever chemicals can come from many sources. According to the NIH, “People are most likely exposed to these chemicals by consuming PFAS-contaminated water or food, using products made with PFAS, or breathing air containing PFAS. Because PFAS break down slowly, if at all, people and animals are repeatedly exposed to them, and blood levels of some PFAS can build up over time.” Forever chemicals are associated with many negative health outcomes.
- Cancer
- Liver problems
- Thyroid problems
- Reproductive issues
- Immune system disorders
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for any instance where a person is poisoned by forever chemicals. This could include companies that are responsible for introducing forever chemicals into a community’s water supply. There have been a number of situations where dry cleaning companies have improperly dumped chemicals that have seeped into the local water system. It is important that certain actions are taken after any instance where forever chemicals are discovered.
- The source of the contamination should be understood.
- The specific chemicals involved in the contamination should be identified.
- Local residents should be screened for medical illnesses commonly associated with exposure.
- An experienced personal injury attorney should be contacted.
The vast majority of incidents where people are exposed to forever chemicals are preventable. They tend to involve situations where companies take shortcuts in terms of safety. One of the most common ways that this happens is the improper disposal of certain chemicals. It can be costly to dispose of volatile chemicals in a safe and compliant way. Any person that is injured after long-term exposure to forever chemicals may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Getting Legal Help for Illnesses Caused by Forever Chemicals
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all the local residents who have been impacted by forever chemicals in their water. There needs to be a thorough investigation into the source of the contamination. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to remove these harmful chemicals from the water supply. No one should have to worry that they could become seriously ill or die simply by drinking water.
Have you or someone you care about been harmed due to exposure to forever chemicals? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We are committed to helping victims of forever chemical exposure understand their rights. You are always welcome to reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
