Statute of Limitations
3-year statute of limitations for personal injury with discovery rule. South Carolina's longer SOL provides more time to file than neighboring states. Discovery rule starts at discovery of injury and cause. MDL 2873 is headquartered in Charleston.
2029-06-30
Where to File in South Carolina
South Carolina is the seat of MDL 2873, the federal AFFF/PFAS multidistrict litigation, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina (Charleston Division) before Judge Richard Gergel. All federal AFFF personal injury claims are consolidated here for pre-trial proceedings. State court claims can be filed in the court of common pleas for the county where the plaintiff resides or where the exposure occurred. Major contaminated sites include the former Myrtle Beach AFB (Horry County), Joint Base Charleston (Charleston County), and Shaw AFB (Sumter County).
Exposure in South Carolina
Source: DoD PFAS Investigation
Source: JPML
Source: SC Code of Laws
Your Legal Team
Robert Kline
Partner — Environmental & Toxic Tort Litigation
Charleston, SC
Robert Kline has spent over two decades representing individuals and communities harmed by toxic chemical exposure, with a particular focus on PFAS contamination and military base environmental claims. Based in Charleston — the seat of MDL 2873 — Robert brings unmatched proximity to the court and deep familiarity with the litigation's procedural landscape. His background in environmental science enables him to explain the complex chemistry of PFAS bioaccumulation and the epidemiology of PFAS-linked cancers in terms judges and juries can understand. Robert has represented over 500 firefighters and military personnel in AFFF claims and serves on the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee in MDL 2873. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Litigation for eight consecutive years.
Education
- J.D., University of South Carolina School of Law
- B.S., Environmental Science, Clemson University