Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals used in various consumer products, industrial processes, and firefighting foams. Often called “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and human body, PFAS have been linked to serious health issues, including cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, and increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease.
PFAS lawsuits allege that major chemical companies, such as 3M and DuPont, knew about the potential health and environmental risks associated with PFAS for decades but continued to manufacture and sell these chemicals without adequate warnings. It is claimed that these companies concealed internal studies showing the dangers of PFAS and failed to inform the public or regulatory agencies about the risks. These lawsuits further assert that the manufacturers prioritized profits over public health and environmental safety.
By filing a PFAS lawsuit, you may be eligible to seek compensation for personal injury, property damage, medical monitoring, and other losses resulting from PFAS contamination. These legal actions also aim to hold chemical manufacturers accountable for their role in creating widespread environmental contamination and to push for stricter regulations on these harmful substances. Additionally, PFAS litigation seeks to secure funding for clean-up efforts in affected communities and to ensure that those exposed to these chemicals receive proper medical monitoring and care.
There have been no major updates in the PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) litigation for the beginning of November. The most recent significant development occurred in October 2024, when Carrier Global agreed to a $730 million settlement related to its subsidiary, Kidde-Fenwal, addressing claims of PFAS contamination from firefighting foam products. No new major settlements or court decisions have been reported in November 2024.
In October 2024, residents of Salisbury, Maryland, filed a class action lawsuit against Perdue AgriBusiness, alleging that the company’s facility contaminated groundwater through improper disposal of PFAS-containing substances. Perdue has started testing local well water and is working with the Maryland Department of the Environment to address contamination sources and potential impacts on nearby properties.
Carrier Global Corporation reached a significant settlement, agreeing to pay $730 million over claims related to PFAS contamination from firefighting foam products produced by its unit Kidde-Fenwal. This settlement aims to resolve allegations that the foam products contributed to PFAS pollution in soil and water near airports and military bases across the United States. Carrier plans to fund the settlement through cash payments, asset sales, and insurance recoveries.
In Texas, a group of farmers sued Synagro Technologies, claiming that biosolid-based fertilizers sold by the company contaminated their water, soil, and livestock with PFAS. The lawsuit argues that Synagro was aware of the PFAS content in these fertilizers but failed to provide adequate warnings about health risks associated with their use. Meanwhile, a federal judge in California ruled that general screening methods like total organic fluorine (TOF) testing are insufficient in PFAS-related class actions, emphasizing the need for precise testing to establish PFAS presence in consumer goods.
These cases reflect a growing trend in PFAS litigation across the U.S., with increasing numbers of state and federal lawsuits. This trend includes a broadening range of claims against diverse industries, from agriculture and manufacturing to consumer goods. With the ongoing litigation and heightened regulatory scrutiny, PFAS contamination and its potential health impacts are likely to remain a focal point for both the legal and public health sectors.
In September 2024, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) litigation saw significant developments, including new settlements and trial preparations. BASF, one of the defendants in the largest PFAS lawsuit involving contamination of public water supplies, agreed to a $315 million settlement without admitting wrongdoing. This follows other substantial settlements, such as the $10.5 to $12.5 billion settlement from 3M and a $750 million settlement from Tyco Fire Products. The U.S. District Court, overseen by Judge Richard Gergel, is advancing bellwether trials focused on plaintiffs with kidney and testicular cancers, illnesses strongly associated with PFAS exposure.
Health claims related to PFAS exposure continue to gain attention, with emerging research linking PFAS chemicals to several cancers and diseases. Studies have found increased risks for thyroid cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, and ulcerative colitis among individuals exposed to high levels of PFAS in contaminated water. The EPA’s designation of key PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances under the Superfund law is prompting stricter regulations and potential new litigation as affected communities and individuals seek compensation for medical and environmental damages.
Along with that, the EPA’s newly established national standards for PFAS in drinking water, limiting PFOA and PFOS levels to 4 parts per trillion, are expected to lead to more lawsuits as entities face the costs of compliance. State governments, municipalities, and public water systems are also filing lawsuits to recover the expenses related to testing, monitoring, and cleaning contaminated water supplies. These legal actions have pushed for greater accountability among PFAS manufacturers and have influenced regulatory changes that seek to mitigate future contamination risks. We will continue to keep you informed as we learn more about the ongoing PFAS litigation. We feel that if you have been affected by PFAS exposure in any way, it’s your right to seek compensation.
A significant ruling came from North Carolina, where the state’s Business Court determined that spinoff companies of DuPont, such as Chemours and Corteva, could be held liable if DuPont is found responsible for PFAS contamination. This decision strengthens the state’s position in its ongoing lawsuit against these companies, initially filed in 2020. The legal process is moving forward with major settlements, including a historic $13 billion settlement involving 3M and DuPont for municipalities affected by PFAS contamination. This settlement is part of a broader strategy to address claims related to water contamination, personal injuries, and land contamination due to PFAS exposure.
In Connecticut, ongoing lawsuits against chemical companies for PFAS contamination continue to gain traction. We are seeing changes as we continue to learn more about the lawsuit. Additionally, a federal court in another case dismissed a class action lawsuit due to insufficient specific allegations against the defendants, underscoring the complexity and challenges of PFAS litigation.
These developments highlight the evolving nature of PFAS litigation, with significant financial settlements and court rulings that could shape the future of environmental and public health accountability for chemical manufacturers. As the PFAS litigation landscape continues to evolve, the recent developments in North Carolina and Connecticut underscore the increasing accountability for chemical manufacturers responsible for widespread environmental contamination. The significant settlements and court rulings demonstrate the growing recognition of the serious health and environmental risks associated with PFAS exposure. These cases are likely to have a lasting impact on the regulation and use of PFAS chemicals, as well as the potential for future legal actions against companies involved in their production and distribution.
As we continue to watch and learn more about these cases, it’s clear that the legal landscape surrounding PFAS contamination is rapidly changing. The recent rulings and settlements reflect a growing recognition of the severe risks caused by these chemicals and an increasing willingness by courts to hold companies accountable. We will remain vigilant in tracking these developments to provide the most up-to-date insights and support for those affected by PFAS exposure. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out.
A recent lawsuit alleges that certain Band-Aid products contain PFAS, a group of chemicals recently classified as hazardous by the EPA. The lawsuit targets Kenvue, a company spun off from Johnson & Johnson. It claims Kenvue misled consumers by failing to disclose the presence of PFAS in their bandages, which were marketed with health-focused messaging. The plaintiff argues this deception exposed consumers to potential health risks associated with PFAS, including cancer, liver damage, and fertility issues. The lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide class of consumers who may have been deceived and demands financial compensation.
In another case highlighting the dangers of PFAS, a resident of Decatur, Alabama, filed a lawsuit against 3M, Toray, and Daikin. The lawsuit alleges that these companies knowingly contaminated the environment with PFAS, leading to prolonged exposure in the plaintiff’s drinking water. The plaintiff claims this exposure caused their prostate cancer. The lawsuit details the concerning properties of PFAS chemicals like PFOA and PFOS, including their persistence in the environment and the associated health risks like various cancers, thyroid disease, and infertility. The lawsuit also alleges that these companies were aware of the dangers of PFAS since the 1970s but continued to release them into the environment. Originally filed in Alabama state court, the lawsuit was moved to federal court by the defendants.
On July 15th, an Ohio man is seeking damages for drinking contaminated drinking water in related to these products. He claims that the water has caused him to develop testicular cancer and needs immediate medical attention. The lawsuit details how the defendants knew there were risks in using fluorochemical products but continued to manufacture them without the proper warnings. Plaintiff’s team is seeking compensation for punitive damages and economic loss.
We will continue to update you on any sudden changes with this ongoing lawsuit. If you feel that you or a loved one have developed any sort of health issues due to contaminated water caused by PFAS, then you may be eligible to join in the ongoing lawsuit. Be sure to reach out to the right legal counsel to see if you have a strong case.
3M’s settlement agreement with U.S. public water suppliers received final court approval. This agreement, valued at up to $10.3 billion over 13 years, will fund PFAS remediation efforts across the U.S. for water systems detecting any level of PFAS contamination.
A group of Texas farmers filed a lawsuit against the EPA, alleging failure to regulate 11 specific PFAS in sewage sludge applied to land. The farmers seek a court order compelling the EPA to regulate these substances as hazardous under the Clean Water Act. Settlements were reached in the Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) Multi-District Litigation, with Tyco Fire Products and Chemguard agreeing to a $750 million settlement, and BASF Corporation settling for $316.5 million.
Both Maine and Minnesota advanced their PFAS regulatory frameworks. Maine accelerated its ban on certain PFAS-containing products to begin in 2026, while Minnesota detailed its PFAS bans effective January 2025. Although a sweeping PFAS ban (SB 903) failed to pass, a new bill (AB 347) was introduced to enforce existing PFAS restrictions on various products in California. The EPA has continued to implement new PFAS-related rules, including designating specific PFAS as hazardous under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Additionally, the agency is working on finalizing reporting and recordkeeping requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act by the end of 2024.
The landscape of PFAS water contamination lawsuits and regulatory measures witnessed significant progress in June 2024. The approval of 3M’s $10.3 billion settlement underscores the growing financial commitments toward PFAS remediation. Legal actions, such as the Texas farmers’ lawsuit against the EPA, highlight ongoing challenges in regulating these hazardous substances. Settlements in the AFFF litigation and advancements in state-level regulations in Maine and Minnesota signal a robust response to PFAS contamination. Despite setbacks, such as the failure of California’s SB 903, new legislative efforts continue to emerge. With the EPA’s ongoing regulatory efforts, including the designation of specific PFAS as hazardous and impending reporting requirements, the momentum for comprehensive PFAS management is clear.
We encourage you to stay informed about regulatory updates and actively participate in advocacy initiatives to ensure the swift and effective mitigation of PFAS contamination nationwide.
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