What is the Jervis Bay PFAS Contamination Class Action about?
From the 1970s to at least 2004, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) regularly conducted firefighting drills using a type of firefighting foam known as Aqueous Film Forming Foam. This foam consists of toxic chemicals known as ‘PFAS’.
This class action is for members of the Wreck Bay community who own, or have owned property in Wreck Bay on or before 1 September 2016. The claim is to compensate eligible persons for the PFAS contamination in Jervis Bay which has negatively impacted properties, land values, livelihoods and the cultural practices of the Wreck Bay community.
The ADF commenced a detailed site investigation at HMAS Creswell and Jervis Bay Range Facility in March 2017, with the results detecting PFAS in surface water, groundwater and sediment around the base. The report found widespread PFAS contamination in groundwater both on and off-base, exceeding health-based recommendations for drinking water.
Important Notice
The Jervis Bay PFAS Contamination Class Action does not include personal injury claims for exposure to the PFAS contamination.
Investigation Area
As part of their investigation, the Department of Defence has released a map identifying the investigation area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PFAS?
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyls (PFAS) are a class of harmful chemicals commonly found in products that reduce heat, stains, grease and water. They are common in many household products, such as carpets and non-stick cookware. PFAS are concerning because they do not naturally degrade. They are ingested by humans and animals, and accumulate in the body. A small amount of daily exposure can lead to high concentrations over time.
PFAS soil and groundwater contamination can lead to high levels of the chemical in drinking water, agricultural land, animals and residents.
The full effect on human health is not known.
Is it possible to claim for personal injury?
The PFAS Contamination Class Action does not include personal injury claims for exposure to the PFAS contamination. The adverse health effects of exposure to PFAS chemicals, and the viability of a class action will continue to be investigated. Class actions such as this have been run in other countries around the world for both defence force personnel and communities.
Who is the claim against?
This is a class action against the Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Defence) (Commonwealth). It is alleged that the Commonwealth negligently allowed contaminants within the fire-fighting foam, to escape from Defence Bases around Australia, causing damage to property owners and/or causing unlawful impacts.
What is the difference between becoming a 'Represented Class Member' and a 'Registered Unrepresented Class Member'?
If you register as a 'Represented Class Member' of the PFAS Contamination Class Action you will be represented by Shine Lawyers and Litigation Capital Management (LCM), the company funding this class action.
If you register as a 'Registered Unrepresented Class Member' of the PFAS Contamination Class Action you will not enter into any contract with Shine Lawyers and Litigation Capital Management (LCM), the company funding this class action. Please note that in future, the Court may require you to contribute to the legal and administrative costs for this case out of any compensation you may receive.
If you have any questions or require assistance in completing your registration, please contact Shine Lawyers on 1800 066 173.
What is a class action?
When Governments, large companies or institutions do the wrong thing and people are harmed or suffer loss as a result, an individual can have little to no means of bringing a legal claim.
Class actions are an important mechanism within Australia’s legal system that allow large groups of people to come together to pursue a claim collectively.
For a class action to take place, there are three criteria that need to be met:
There must be 7 or more people that have claims against the same defendant; and
The claims relate to the same or similar circumstances; and
The claim must relate to at least one common issue of law or fact.
For more information about how class actions resolve, click here.
How long do class actions take to resolve?
It can take up to several years for a class action to resolve. The time taken from case commencement through to resolution and settlement administration depends on the particular case, and the nature of the claim.
For more information about class actions and how they work, click here.
Does it cost anything to join a class action?
Shine Lawyers is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or financial situation, has access to justice. We run our class actions in a way that means you are not exposed to any costs or financial risk, so joining a class action will cost you nothing.
When a class action is successful, the legal fees and costs to run the class action are deducted from the settlement amount that is approved by the Court. If the class action is unsuccessful, we will ensure there are no out-of-pocket costs to you.
Will my contact details be kept private?
Yes, your contact details will remain confidential and we will seek your consent before disclosing any of your personal information (including before such disclosure is required by the Court).
Shine Lawyers will only use your personal information strictly for the purpose of the legal proceedings.
Why Choose Shine Lawyers?
In successful settlements and judgments
We have secured more than $1 billion in class action settlements and judgments for our group members.
years of collective experience
Our team includes the country’s most experienced class actions experts and litigators with the skill, industry insight and dedication to deliver the best possible outcomes for deserving Australians.
dedicated class actions team members
We are proudly one of the largest class actions teams in the country. Our senior practitioners are supported by a dedicated team devoted to the complex field of class actions.
