In March 2024, a federal district court judge granted final approval to a $12.5 billion settlement in a nationwide class action lawsuit against 3M Company. The groundbreaking settlement resolves claims on behalf of Public Water Systems that 3M contaminated drinking water with ‘forever chemicals’ known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a chemical compound found in the company’s Teflon and Scotchgard products, among others.

The settlement agreement includes two categories — or phases — for distribution of funds, with the first phase providing immediate relief to class members with one or more impacted water sources, and the second phase providing relief to class members that do not currently have an impacted water source but will be required to test for certain PFAS and remediate if necessary.

FeganScott Managing Partner Elizabeth Fegan played an integral role in protecting the interests of the second category of class members in the settlement, and will continue to represent the interests of these class members moving forward as they submit claims for the costs of testing and the costs of installing and operating a system to remove or reduce levels of PFAS in contaminated water sources.