Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers | June 19, 2025 | Legal News
In recent years, PFAS contamination has become a growing concern for many North Carolina communities, especially those near the Cape Fear River, Haw River, and Jordan Lake. These so-called “forever chemicals” do not easily break down and have been linked to serious health problems. Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced delays in implementing federal regulations for certain PFAS compounds, sparking frustration among residents and advocacy groups.
Riddle & Riddle is actively investigating claims in North Carolina and representing victims in North Carolina PFAS lawsuits.
Understanding the EPA’s PFAS Regulation Delay
In 2024, the EPA finalized enforceable limits for six PFAS compounds: PFOA, PFOS, GenX, PFBS, PFNA, and PFHxS. The original plan required utilities to comply with these new standards by 2029. However, in 2025, the EPA unexpectedly announced that while the regulations for PFOA and PFOS would remain in place, the rules for the other four compounds — including GenX — would be rescinded and reevaluated. The compliance deadline for those substances has now been pushed back to 2031.
This decision has raised significant concern because GenX, one of the chemicals removed from federal regulation, has been heavily discharged into the Cape Fear River by Chemours, a chemical company operating in North Carolina. Without enforceable federal limits for GenX, many communities fear that public water systems will delay necessary upgrades, leaving residents exposed to harmful contaminants for a longer period of time.
The Local Response to the Delay
For residents in affected areas, such as the Cape Fear Valley, the delay feels like a betrayal. Many have expressed anger and disappointment, feeling that federal authorities are failing to protect their health and safety. Environmental advocacy groups have quickly called for stronger state-level regulations to step in where federal rules have stalled.
North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), along with several advocacy organizations, is now pushing for state-based limits that could offer more immediate protection. In addition to focusing on municipal drinking water, many groups are advocating for regulations that also cover surface water, groundwater, rivers, lakes, and private wells. These sources of water serve as critical lifelines for thousands of North Carolinians and their safety remains at risk without strong oversight.
What the Delay Means for Consumers and Potential Victims
The EPA’s delay means that many public water systems may legally postpone installing costly treatment systems designed to remove PFAS from drinking water. This extends the period during which residents may continue to be exposed to dangerous chemicals potentially linked to high cholesterol, kidney and testicular cancers, liver problems, reproductive issues, and weakened immune responses.
While federal regulations may be stalled, legal accountability remains an option for those harmed by PFAS contamination. Manufacturers and industrial polluters may still be held responsible for the alleged harm caused by their chemicals, especially if negligence led to contamination of drinking water supplies. With mounting evidence linking PFAS exposure to serious health conditions, legal action may offer affected residents a path to justice even before federal regulations are fully enforced.
State-level actions are also becoming increasingly important. North Carolina lawmakers are considering stronger protections that would fill the regulatory gaps left by federal delays. The DEQ continues to monitor statewide contamination, fund pilot well-treatment programs, and demand additional testing and monitoring from industries that handle PFAS compounds.
Why North Carolina Residents Should Pay Attention
For those living in North Carolina, particularly near known contamination sites like the Cape Fear River basin, Haw River, Jordan Lake, Greensboro, and Pittsboro, the ongoing regulatory uncertainty could have real and lasting health consequences. PFAS exposure is linked to multiple serious health conditions that may not appear immediately but can develop over years of continued exposure, causing these North Carolina PFAS lawsuits.
Without federal protections fully in place, state and local governments play an even more crucial role in ensuring clean, safe drinking water. Additionally, individuals who have already developed PFAS-related illnesses may still be eligible to pursue legal claims. The sooner affected residents take action, the better protected they may be against both financial and health-related consequences down the line.
Riddle & Riddle’s Ongoing Work on PFAS Cases in North Carolina
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers is actively handling PFAS litigation across North Carolina. Our firm represents individuals and families whose health has been impacted by PFAS exposure, fighting for compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our team has secured more than $850 million in verdicts and settlements for clients across a variety of complex cases, including environmental contamination claims (see disclaimer below). We work closely with environmental experts, medical professionals, and legal researchers who understand the science behind PFAS exposure, building strong, evidence-backed cases that hold polluters accountable.
You may be eligible to file a PFAS lawsuit in North Carolina if:
- You were exposed to PFAS-contaminated water.
- You have been diagnosed with a serious health condition linked to PFAS exposure, including:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Liver cancer
- Blood cancers (e.g., leukemias / lymphomas)
- Thyroid disease or thyroid damage
- Ulcerative colitis
- Other significant health issues associated with PFAS
- You have medical records confirming your diagnosis and can establish a connection between your health condition and PFAS exposure.
What You Should Do If You Believe You’ve Been Affected
If you suspect you’ve been exposed to PFAS-contaminated water, it’s important to document any available evidence. Collect water reports, document your location history, gather medical records, and keep track of any diagnoses that may be connected to PFAS exposure. Then, contact a qualified law firm experienced in handling PFAS litigation.
At Riddle & Riddle, we offer free consultations for PFAS victims in North Carolina. During your consultation, our attorneys will evaluate your situation, investigate your claim, and provide a clear path forward. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs — we only collect fees if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
Contact Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers Today
Don’t wait for federal regulations to catch up. If you or a loved one have been exposed to PFAS in North Carolina and are experiencing health issues, Riddle & Riddle is here to help. Our experienced team has the resources, knowledge, and dedication to fight for justice on your behalf.
Call us today at 1-800-525-7111 for a free case review and take the first step toward protecting your health and your future.
For more information, please contact Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in North Carolina today. We have twelve convenient locations in North Carolina, including Greenville, Raleigh, Goldsboro, Jacksonville, Kinston, Charlotte, Greensboro, Durham, Fayetteville, Wilmington, Winston-Salem & Garner.
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Greenville Office
300 E Arlington Blvd Suite 2A #110, Greenville, NC 27858
252-397-7400
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Raleigh Office
4600 Marriott Dr STE 500, Raleigh, NC 27612
919-459-7855
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Goldsboro Office
601 N Spence Ave, Goldsboro, NC 27534
919-759-6963
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville Office
3391 Henderson Dr, Jacksonville, NC 28546
910-910-1860
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Kinston Office
807 N Queen St, Kinston, NC 28501
252-397-0134
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Charlotte Office
1914 J N Pease Pl Suite 142, Charlotte, NC 28262
704-781-7980
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Greensboro Office
7B Corporate Center Ct Suite 15, Greensboro, NC 27408
336-395-5349
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Durham Office
100 E Parrish St STE 200, Durham, NC 27701
919-925-6039
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Fayetteville Office
2517 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28305
910-387-0861
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Wilmington Office
1608 Queen St Suite 12, Wilmington, NC 28401
910-889-3926
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Winston-Salem Office
102 W 3rd St, Ste 1007, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
336-396-6310
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Garner Office
500 Benson Rd Suite 111, Garner, NC 27529