Lawsuits related to PFAS water contamination allege that individuals who were exposed to drinking water containing PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl), also referred to as “forever chemicals,” have experienced cancer and various severe health issues. Major companies like 3M, DuPont, and BASF have agreed to pay substantial amounts in settlements regarding PFAS.
In June 2024, our legal partners are now taking on PFAS water contamination cases, and we are committed to keeping you informed with the most recent PFAS litigation news. We have created a detailed timeline of significant events in PFAS litigation by analyzing court records and seeking advice from attorneys engaged in cases related to PFAS cancer and health concerns. According to legal professionals, the PFAS litigation landscape is just beginning to unfold, with an increasing number of companies under scrutiny for their use of PFAS in various products.
May 24
BASF Corporation has reached a $316.5 million settlement with various public water systems that found PFAS in their drinking water sources. However, if you have suffered personal injury, your claim is not covered by this settlement. Despite this agreement, BASF did not admit to any liability or misconduct.
In another development related to PFAS contamination, razor company Bic has been included in a class-action lawsuit for allegedly failing to disclose the presence of PFAS in some of its products.
According to The New York Times, a defense attorney from a firm that represents companies in high-stakes litigation mentioned that the costs associated with PFAS lawsuits could be significant for the plastics industry, potentially surpassing expenses related to asbestos.
April 24
Regina Brown filed a lawsuit against 3M and several other chemical companies in a federal court in South Carolina. She claims to have developed kidney cancer due to exposure to PFAS-contaminated drinking water in Pennsylvania. Many Americans, like Regina Brown, could face similar issues with contaminated water supplies nationwide. Lawyers handling the case state that approximately 95% of people have PFAS in their blood, and elevated levels could result in severe health consequences.
On a positive note, there have been advancements in PFAS regulation this month. The EPA has introduced enforceable limits for six PFAS substances in drinking water: PFOA (4 parts per trillion), PFOS (4 ppt), PFHxS (10 ppt), PFNA (10 ppt), HFPO-DA (“GenX”) (10 ppt). Due to bipartisan efforts, the EPA has allocated $21 billion to tackle PFAS in drinking water. However, this does not offer assistance to the numerous individuals who have filed lawsuits due to cancer and other health issues caused by PFAS exposure. These individuals are seeking legal recourse and potential compensation.
March 24
In Connecticut District Court, a class action lawsuit (3:24-cv-00271) was filed by a group of plaintiffs against Kimberly-Clark corporation for contaminating drinking and well water. The plaintiffs are now required to monitor their health and manage the anxiety of being exposed to high levels of PFAS, as stated by their attorney Ian Sloss. He mentions that these plaintiffs are raising awareness about the hazards of PFAS.
Feb 24
Carneys Point Township in New Jersey aimed to stop the approval of a $393 million settlement between the state and Solvay Specialty Polymers. The township believes that more funds should be allocated to the areas affected by PFAS. They also point out concerns with the state’s retainer agreement. According to lawyers in the case, this move could postpone vital aid to the impacted New Jersey towns and argue that the township’s claims are based on misinformation.
Regrettably, handling significant cases like these can be costly, and only firms with the necessary expertise and financial means are able to handle them. In many instances, law firms have to fund these cases themselves and only receive payment upon reaching a settlement. When dealing with personal injury cases, it is crucial to understand the fee agreement in advance before agreeing to any contracts.
In June 2023, 3M agreed to a $10.3 billion settlement spread over 13 years to resolve numerous claims of polluting public drinking water with chemicals. The settlement was described by plaintiffs’ lawyers as a significant development in water contamination legal cases, setting a precedent for future resolutions in individual injury claims. Additionally, Chemours Co., DuPont de Nemours Inc., and Corteva also reached a comparable agreement with U.S. water providers, totaling $1.19 billion.
Throughout the nation, various individuals, government bodies, and private organizations are initiating legal actions against manufacturers like 3M, DuPont, and Tyco Fire Products. These lawsuits are in response to the contamination of water sources by the companies’ products, resulting in health issues such as cancer. The presence of PFAS has also necessitated costly efforts to clean up polluted water systems.
One specific case we reviewed is Regina Brown’s 2024 lawsuit, 2:24-cv-01514 -RMG, which serves as an illustration of a PFAS-related cancer lawsuit.
According to Brown’s legal claim, the defendants neglected to caution consumers about the harmful nature of PFAS “forever chemicals,” their long-lasting presence in the environment, and the potential for water supply contamination.
The complaint stated, “Due to consuming water tainted with Defendants’ fluorochemical products, the Plaintiff developed and was diagnosed with kidney cancer. This led to medical interventions like nephrectomy surgery, and caused the Plaintiff to endure ongoing severe personal injuries, pain, emotional distress, and the fear of cancer recurrence.”
“As a result of drinking water contaminated with Defendants’ fluorochemical products, Plaintiff developed and was diagnosed with kidney cancer, which has caused Plaintiff to undergo medical treatment including a nephrectomy surgery, and to suffer, and continue to suffer, severe personal injuries, pain, and emotional distress, including the fear of cancer recurrence.”
Brown v. 3M et al.
The claims in Brown’s lawsuit echo those from other individual lawsuits we’ve researched. Plaintiffs who suffered cancer or ulcerative colitis demand compensation for physical, financial and emotional damages that they suffered because of the defendants’ negligence.
Most individuals who have become clients of the PFAS lawyers we’ve interviewed claim personal exposure to forever chemicals in water, leading to the development of cancer and other severe health issues. Only a small percentage, less than 2%, sought legal representation for someone else.
According to lawyers, 27% of their clients fall within the 50 to 59 age range. Merely 3.2% of the cases involve minors or individuals under 20 years old.
The next significant age group comprises individuals aged 20 to 29, representing 22.2% of the claimants. Those in the age brackets of 30 to 39 and 40 to 49 make up 17.5% each of the individuals pursuing legal action.
Residents living in proximity to factories or military installations where PFAS were used face the highest risk of PFAS exposure. Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) stands out as a major contributor to PFAS water pollution. For years, military bases, airports, and civilian firefighters relied on AFFF to combat fuel-based fires.
Our investigation uncovered that the Department of Defense warned 2,100 farms near nearly 100 military bases about potential PFAS contamination in their irrigation water.
A legal consensus report highlighted that 77% of claimants were not informed by their water suppliers.
Our legal associates have identified specific states and regions with elevated PFAS levels. Refer to the list provided below for more details.
Military bases in the following states were flagged for PFAS contamination:
Some of the hottest spots for PFAS contamination include military bases in Oklahoma, Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida and California.
You might be eligible for a lawsuit regarding PFAS water contamination if you have been diagnosed with testicular, kidney, or liver cancer or ulcerative colitis following exposure to PFAS. Our research and insights from legal associates indicate this. Renowned attorneys at our affiliated law firms are examining cases from individuals affected by the specified health issues.
PFAS lawsuit injuries include:
