SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Napoli Shkolnik, along with Plaintiffs’ Co-Lead and Interim Class Counsel, is proud to announce a $12.5 billion settlement with 3M Company in the ongoing multi-district litigation over the contamination of drinking water with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) resulting from the widespread use of aqueous film-forming foam (“AFFF”). This historic class action settlement agreement was reached today and resolves the claims of Public Water Systems across the country that have been impacted by actual or threatened contamination of their water systems with PFAS.
“This historic settlement is the largest amount ever paid by a single company to resolve claims involving contaminated drinking water and provides compensation critical to protecting our nation’s drinking water supplies and upgrading our water treatment infrastructure to deal with this new threat”, said Paul J. Napoli, court-appointed Co-Lead Counsel for Plaintiffs and a leader of the national settlement negotiating team. “This settlement sends a clear message that corporations like 3M must bear the responsibility for the aftermath of the chemicals they produce.”
This proposed class settlement is the result of many months of negotiations between the parties and comes on the heels of a $1.185 billion class settlement with DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva announced just a few weeks ago. The settlement with 3M Company is subject to approval by Judge Richard M. Gergel, who was assigned in December 2018 to oversee the ongoing MDL proceedings in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina.
PFAS, also known as the “forever chemicals” are manmade, synthetic compounds that research has shown pose significant risks to the environment and human health. 3M was the only company to manufacture and sell AFFF containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid or “PFOS,” a particularly insidious type of PFAS that studies have linked to an increased risk of cancer and other serious health conditions.
“This agreement demonstrates our team’s unwavering commitment to making these companies answer for their blatant pollution of Public Water Systems throughout the country. Ensuring access to clean drinking water is not just a basic human need, but a fundamental right.” proclaims Napoli Shkolnik Partner Paul J. Napoli. “Our Environmental Department has invested an incalculable amount of time over the past five years towards achieving this outcome and we could not be prouder.”
“This is a tremendous step forward for the thousands of Public Water Systems who have been forced to shoulder the financial burden of removing these toxic chemicals from their drinking water,” says Partner Andrew Croner. “But there is more work to do, and our team is committed to holding companies like 3M responsible for their contribution to one of the gravest environmental and public health disasters in history.”
“During these past five years I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable power of collective action in pursuit of justice and the preservation of the environment,” adds Partner Coral M. Odiot-Rivera. “Our team’s effort has demonstrated a strong commitment to hold companies responsible for exposing communities to harmful chemicals.”
Learn more by clicking here to sign up and protect your water system: www.WaterUtilitySettlement.com
About Napoli Shkolnik
Napoli Shkolnik is a national law firm providing representation in complex environmental litigation, including cases involving hazardous substances and their adverse impact on communities. With a dedicated team of attorneys and a proven track record of success, Napoli Shkolnik provides exceptional legal representation and fights for justice on behalf of those affected by environmental wrongdoing.
