3M reaches a $7.35 billion settlement over PFAS firefighting foam injury claims
The multinational company 3M agreed Tuesday to pay $7.35 billion to settle claims with more than 100,000 plaintiffs who say they suffered health impacts due from the company’s PFAS-containing firefighting foam.
The litigation involves plaintiffs who handled or drank water that was contaminated with the company’s aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which contained per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). AFFF has been used widely at airports and military bases for firefighting training.
PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment, are linked to some cancers, high cholesterol, decreased immune response to vaccines, liver damage, thyroid problems, reproductive issues and other health issues.
The agreement would settle an estimated 115,000 and 120,000 claims brought against the company in the US District Court for the District of South Carolina, according to a statement from 3M that added this represents about 99% of current personal injury claims related to AFFF. The settlement includes $680 million reserved for future claims.
The settlement comes three years after 3M agreed to a $10.3 billion settlement with US drinking water providers over PFAS contamination claims.
William Brown, the chairman and CEO of 3M, called Tuesday’s settlement “a significant milestone for 3M” that “substantially reduces litigation uncertainty,” in a statement.
“This is another important step in managing legacy PFAS matters,” he said. “With this, we will continue our focus on transforming the enterprise, strengthening operating rigor and delivering predictable, long-term performance.”
The company’s statement said the agreement is not an admission of liability, and pointed out that the company has largely phased out the PFAS compounds at issue in the claims.
Attorney Scott Summy, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs who leads the law firm Baron & Budd’s Environmental Litigation Group, said in a statement that the settlement was “a landmark achievement in environmental litigation… for its recognition that the consequences of PFAS contamination extend far beyond financial damages, affecting the health, well-being, and lives of communities and individuals.”
The settlement is “welcome news”, said Motley Rice attorney David Hoyle, who helped negotiate the settlement. Hoyle cited “victims who are in urgent need of support to cover the mounting medical bills and other costs frequently associated with toxic PFAS exposure.”
Featured image from 3M.
