The claims involve people who experienced PFAS exposure through contaminated drinking water or direct contact with aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a firefighting product used at facilities including airports, military bases and fire training centres.
The proposed settlement is intended to compensate eligible claimants diagnosed with six specified injuries, including kidney and testicular cancer.
The cases are being heard as part of Multi-District Litigation (MDL) 2873 in the US District Court for the District of South Carolina.
PFAS exposure linked to firefighting chemicals
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in the manufacture of AFFF, which has been deployed to tackle Class B fuel fires.
Firefighters and other personnel may have encountered the substances through handling the foam or training with it at fire suppression facilities.
The lawsuits allege that individuals suffered injuries following exposure to these chemicals, either through drinking water or direct occupational contact.
Legal teams negotiate settlement
Baron & Budd and Douglas & London announced the agreement, with Scott Summy, head of Baron & Budd’s Environmental Litigation Group, and Michael London serving as court-appointed co-lead counsel.
The two lawyers were the principal architects and negotiators of the personal injury settlement.
Summy commented: “The Public Water System Settlements were the largest drinking water settlements in history, establishing a critical milestone in efforts to eliminate PFAS exposure through contaminated drinking water.
“This settlement takes the next important step by addressing the lasting consequences of that exposure. It is a landmark achievement in environmental litigation, not only for the extraordinary financial recovery it delivers, but also for its recognition that the consequences of PFAS contamination extend far beyond financial damages, affecting the health, well-being, and lives of communities and individuals.”
The agreement follows earlier settlements in the same litigation involving public water systems. Between 2023 and 2025, 3M reached agreements worth up to $14.75bn to help compensate water providers for the costs of treating PFAS contamination.
London added: “Following the tremendous trial pressure that the trial team and looming trials brought to bear, 3M and the plaintiff negotiating team achieved an incredible result that will pay up to $7.35bn for the many thousands of people who suffered serious injuries from exposure to PFAS and AFFF.
“While nothing will make these innocent victims whole, this is the first defendant of many to come to the table. The settlement is a crucial milestone in this litigation and sets out a clear path forward for other defendants to address their liability for AFFF and PFAS contamination and the harm it has caused to individuals.”
The latest agreement represents a further development in the extensive US litigation surrounding PFAS contamination and alleged health impacts.
