3M has agreed to pay $7.35 billion over nine years to resolve most of the personal injury lawsuits claiming that “forever chemicals” in its firefighting foam caused cancer and other illnesses. The company announced the deal on Tuesday, November 3, and says it covers about 99% of the current injury claims against it.
What the 3M Settlement Covers
The claims center on aqueous film-forming foam, known as AFFF, which has been used for decades to put out fuel fires at military bases, airports and fire departments. The foam contains PFAS, a group of chemicals that break down very slowly in the body and the environment. Plaintiffs, including firefighters and people who lived near sites where the foam was used, allege that PFAS exposure caused kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis and other conditions.
According to 3M’s settlement announcement, about 115,000 to 120,000 plaintiffs are eligible to take part, both inside and outside the federal multidistrict litigation in South Carolina. That court, overseen by U.S. District Judge Richard M. Gergel, had 15,270 lawsuits pending as of November 2, according to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
3M said the agreement is not an admission of liability. Chief Executive William Brown called it “a significant milestone for 3M” that “substantially reduces litigation uncertainty.” Plaintiffs’ lawyers at Motley Rice, including MDL liaison counsel Fred Thompson, called the deal welcome news for people facing mounting medical bills.
How and When the Money Gets Paid
The $7.35 billion is spread over nine years, which 3M values at $5.8 billion in today’s dollars. Only $50 million is due in 2026, nothing is due in 2027, and about 20% of the money comes in the last two years. The total includes a $680 million reserve for remaining and future claims.
Payments depend on plaintiffs choosing to join. 3M’s announcement says the company could end the deal if too few plaintiffs participate, and that it will keep fighting the cases in court if agreed terms are not met. The company also expects the MDL court to issue an order setting proof and timing requirements for plaintiffs who decide to keep suing instead.
3M’s Other PFAS Settlements
This is the first broad settlement of PFAS personal injury claims against 3M. In 2023, the company agreed to pay up to $12.5 billion over 13 years to U.S. public water systems for the cost of testing and treating contaminated drinking water, a deal 3M valued at $10.3 billion. It also settled with the state of New Jersey last year. 3M stopped making all PFAS at the end of 2025.
The new deal is also 3M’s second multibillion dollar mass tort settlement in recent years, after its $6 billion settlement over Combat Arms earplugs supplied to the U.S. military. PFAS contamination has been the subject of lawsuits for years, from dumping claims in Michigan to drinking water concerns in California.
Common Questions
Who is covered by the 3M PFAS settlement?
People with pending PFAS personal injury claims against 3M, both in the firefighting foam MDL in South Carolina and in other courts. 3M says about 115,000 to 120,000 plaintiffs are eligible, about 99% of the current injury claims. A $680 million reserve within the deal is set aside for remaining and future claims.
Is the 3M firefighting foam settlement a class action?
No. The cases are individual lawsuits grouped in a federal multidistrict litigation, or MDL, before Judge Richard M. Gergel in South Carolina. Each plaintiff decides whether to join the settlement, and 3M can end the deal if too few do.
What illnesses are alleged in the firefighting foam lawsuits?
Plaintiffs allege that PFAS exposure from the foam caused kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis and other conditions. 3M did not admit liability.
When will 3M make settlement payments?
Over nine years. Only $50 million is due in 2026 and nothing in 2027, with about 20% of the total paid in the last two years. 3M values the $7.35 billion commitment at $5.8 billion in today’s dollars.
LegalScoops covers major rulings, verdicts and settlements across mass torts, including the Camp Lejeune water contamination claims.
