( February 19, 2026, 12:32 PM EST) -- NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Plaintiffs in an injury lawsuit related to exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances XE "per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances" (PFAS) brought by firefighters have moved in Connecticut federal court for reconsideration of Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish’s refusal to recuse himself from the case. Although Magistrate Judge Farrish offered “thoughtful analysis” regarding the situation in his notice to counsel dated Feb. 12, the plaintiffs say they believe the specific conditions of his professional and social connections with one of the defense attorneys in the case “creates the appearance of impropriety.”...