3M to Pay up to $10.3 billion for Public Water Suppliers AFFF Contamination Suit
In a move to resolve claims made by public water suppliers against companies involved with the production and distribution of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), mega-giant conglomerate company 3M has announced that it has agreed to pay up to $10.3 billion. According to the giant’s website, on June 22, 2023, 3M agreed to enter into a class action settlement agreement to help support the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from public water suppliers nationwide. Public water suppliers had filed multi-district litigation against 3M and other companies involved with the manufacturing and production of AFFF chemicals in Charleston, South Carolina, for contamination of the nation’s water supplies with harmful chemicals. According to 3M, the settlement is an “…important step forward for 3M, which builds on our actions that include our announced exit of PFOA and PFOS manufacturing more than 20 years ago, our more recent investment in state-of-the-art water filtration technology in our chemical manufacturing operations, and our announcement that we will exit all PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025.”
As far as deal points go, under the terms of the $10.3 billion settlement, 3M will contribute up to a present value of $10.3 billion over the next 13 years. The settlement provides funding for public water suppliers throughout the nation for PFAS treatment technology, provides funding for public water suppliers that detect PFAS in the future, resolves the current claims by public water suppliers involved in the multidistrict AFFF litigation, and provides funding for public water suppliers nationwide to conduct PFAS testing. It does not appear, however, that the settlement money will provide compensation for individual victims of AFFF exposure, and is limited to public water suppliers. 3M notes that the settlement is not an admission of liability.
AFFF Litigation and Justice for AFFF Victims
It is now well-known that the chemicals that make up AFFF, foam used in firefighting to help save lives, are dangerous and harmful to human health. Victims of AFFF and PFAS exposure, however, may have rights and options for justice. If you are a victim of AFFF exposure, you may have a claim for money damages due to you for your injuries caused by exposure to toxic chemicals. If you are located in Houston, in order to determine whether you may have a claim for money damages, it is best to speak with an experienced Houston mass tort lawyer.
The experienced Houston mass tort lawyers at the Gilde Law Firm are here to help with your questions about AFFF multidistrict litigation and how they can help you fight for justice in your AFFF exposure case. The experienced Houston mass tort lawyers at the Gilde Law Firm offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your unique AFFF case and to see if they can help you recover money compensation due to you. If you are in the Houston area and you have questions about your AFFF case, contact the Gilde Law Firm today for your free and confidential consultation and learn about your rights today.
