PFAS Lawsuit 2025: How to Join $12.5 Billion 3M Settlement

$12.5 billion settlement for PFAS water contamination. Free to join. Check if your water system qualifies.

⚡ Quick Answer

Settlement Amount: $12.5 billion from 3M Company Who Qualifies: Public water systems serving 200+ million Americans What PFAS Are: "Forever chemicals" linked to cancer, thyroid disease, developmental issues Cost to Join: FREE - No fees to file claim Deadline: Varies by water system - check settlement website

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What Are PFAS and Why Are They Dangerous?

PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are "forever chemicals" that don't break down in environment or human body.

Used In:

• •Firefighting foam (AFFF) at military bases, airports, fire training sites
• •Non-stick cookware (Teflon)
• •Water-resistant fabrics
• •Food packaging
• •Cosmetics

Health Effects Linked to PFAS:

• •Kidney cancer
• •Testicular cancer
• •Thyroid disease
• •Ulcerative colitis
• •Pregnancy-induced hypertension
• •High cholesterol
• •Developmental delays in children
• •Immune system suppression

Contamination Scale:

• •200+ million Americans exposed through drinking water
• •Found in blood of 97% of Americans
• •Detected in thousands of water systems nationwide

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$12.5 Billion 3M Settlement: Who Qualifies?

Public Water Systems Qualify If:

✓ Detected PFAS in water supply between specific dates (varies by system) ✓ Serves community or non-transient non-community (schools, offices, etc.) ✓ Located in United States (all states, territories) ✓ Filed claim or participated in testing

Who Can Benefit:

• •Water utilities (direct claimants)
• •Residents served by affected water systems (indirect beneficiaries)
• •Local governments paying cleanup costs

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How to Check If Your Water System Qualifies

Step 1: Check EPA PFAS Map

Visit EPA PFAS Water Mapper

Enter your ZIP code to see if PFAS detected in your area

Step 2: Contact Your Water Utility

Call your local water provider and ask:

• •"Has PFAS been detected in our water system?"
• •"Are you participating in the 3M PFAS settlement?"
• •"Will rates decrease or will residents receive compensation?"

Step 3: Check Settlement Website

Official 3M PFAS settlement website: 3MPFASWaterSettlement.com

What Settlement Covers:

• •Water testing and monitoring costs
• •Water treatment and filtration systems
• •Replacing contaminated wells
• •Alternative water supply costs
• •Past cleanup expenses

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Other Major PFAS Settlements and Lawsuits

DuPont/Chemours - $671M Settlement (2017)

Contaminated drinking water for 70,000+ residents near West Virginia plant. Individual awards ranged from $5,000 to $500,000+ depending on health conditions.

Chemours/DuPont/Corteva - Ongoing Litigation

Thousands of personal injury lawsuits consolidated in federal court for PFAS exposure.

AFFF Firefighter Lawsuits - Ongoing

Firefighters exposed to PFAS in firefighting foam developing cancer and other diseases. Major manufacturers facing liability.

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Can I File Personal Injury Claim for PFAS Exposure?

Yes - separate from water system claims

You May Qualify If:

✓ Diagnosed with PFAS-linked disease: Cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, pregnancy complications ✓ Documented PFAS exposure: Contaminated drinking water, firefighter foam, military base residence ✓ Medical records linking condition to exposure ✓ Statute of limitations hasn't expired (varies by state, typically 2-6 years from diagnosis)

Common Plaintiffs:

• •Firefighters exposed to AFFF firefighting foam
• •Military personnel and families living on contaminated bases (Camp Lejeune-style claims)
• •Residents near manufacturing plants (DuPont, 3M, Chemours facilities)
• •Factory workers exposed occupationally

Average Settlement Values:

• •Firefighter AFFF cases: $50,000-$300,000+ depending on cancer type
• •Residential water contamination: $5,000-$500,000+ depending on health impact
• •Occupational exposure: $100,000-$1M+ for severe cancers

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How to File Personal Injury PFAS Claim

Step 1: Get Medical Documentation

• •Diagnosis of PFAS-linked disease
• •Medical records showing condition
• •Test results (bloodwork, imaging, biopsy)

Step 2: Document PFAS Exposure

• •Dates you lived at contaminated location
• •Water test results showing PFAS levels
• •Military base or fire department employment records
• •Plant proximity documentation

Step 3: Consult PFAS Attorney (Free Evaluation)

Most PFAS attorneys work on contingency (no fee unless you win, typically 33-40%)

Search: "PFAS lawsuit attorney" or "AFFF firefighter cancer lawyer"

Major law firms handling PFAS cases:

• •Napoli Shkolnik
• •Weitz & Luxenberg
• •Lieff Cabraser
• •Simmons Hanly Conroy

Step 4: File Claim

Attorney files in appropriate court:

• •AFFF cases: Consolidated in federal court (MDL 2873 - District of South Carolina)
• •Individual water contamination: State court typically
• •Class actions: Various jurisdictions

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PFAS Settlements by Type

Municipal Water System Settlements

3M Settlement - $12.5B: For public water systems testing and treatment Chemours Settlement - $671M: West Virginia/Ohio water contamination Saint-Gobain Settlement - $65M: New Hampshire water contamination

Personal Injury Settlements

Firefighter AFFF Cases: $50K-$300K+ per plaintiff Residential Contamination: $5K-$500K+ per plaintiff Occupational Exposure: $100K-$1M+ for severe cancers

Military Base Contamination

Camp Lejeune-Style Claims: PACT Act allows claims for military base water contamination including PFAS

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How Long Do PFAS Lawsuits Take?

Water System Claims: 1-3 years (settlement administration) Personal Injury Cases: 2-5 years typical

• •AFFF firefighter cases moving faster (bellwether trials complete)
• •Individual residential cases may settle sooner
• •Complex cancers/causation issues take longer

Status Check:

• •AFFF MDL: Several bellwether trials completed, settlements ongoing
• •3M Water Settlement: Distribution plan being finalized
• •Individual PI cases: Ongoing filing and settlement negotiations

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States with Most PFAS Contamination

Highest Contamination:

• •Michigan (military bases, industrial sites)
• •New Hampshire (Saint-Gobain plant)
• •New Jersey (multiple industrial sources)
• •Pennsylvania (military bases, manufacturing)
• •California (military bases, airports)
• •West Virginia/Ohio (DuPont plant)
• •North Carolina (Chemours plant)
• •Alabama (3M plant, military bases)

Military Bases with Known PFAS:

• •Camp Lejeune, NC
• •Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
• •Pease Air Force Base, NH
• •Peterson AFB, CO
• •300+ other military installations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will I receive money from the 3M settlement? The $12.5B goes to water systems for cleanup and treatment. Individual residents may benefit through lower water rates or improved water quality, but direct payments to residents are unlikely unless your water system includes that in their claim.

Can I still file personal injury claim? Yes. Water system settlements are separate from personal injury lawsuits. If you have PFAS-linked disease, consult attorney about individual claim.

How do I know if I was exposed to PFAS? Check EPA map for water contamination, request blood test from doctor (PFAS blood levels), check if you lived near military base/airport/manufacturing plant.

What if I'm a firefighter with cancer? Strong cases for AFFF exposure claims. Many firefighters recovering $100K-$300K+ for PFAS-linked cancers. Consult AFFF attorney immediately.

Are there deadlines? Yes - statute of limitations varies by state (typically 2-6 years from diagnosis or discovery). File as soon as possible.

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Take Action on PFAS Exposure

$12.5B settlement for water systems. Personal injury claims $50K-$1M+ for PFAS-linked diseases.

Check Water: EPA PFAS Mapper Settlement Info: 3MPFASWaterSettlement.com Find Attorney: Search "PFAS lawsuit attorney [your state]"

Free evaluations • No cost unless you win • Act before deadlines expire