Multi-million dollar settlements have been paid to people who filed PFAS lawsuits for water contamination and health problems from this toxic cancer-causing chemical.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting PFAS induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know had drinking water contamination or health problems from toxic PFAS chemicals, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Class Action Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: 3M Agrees to $10.3 Billion PFAS Settlement
In June 2023, 3M agreed to pay a $10.3 billion settlement over a 13-year period to resolve lawsuits filed by public water suppliers throughout the U.S. that have found toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water.
$12 Million Paper Mill PFAS Settlement in Michigan
In April 2021, 3M and Georgia-Pacific agreed to pay an $11.9 million settlement to around 3,000 people from the city of Parchment, Michigan, where the drinking water was contaminated with PFAS chemicals from a paper mill landfill.
High Levels of PFAS, PFOS Found in Maryland Drinking Water Wells
In January 2021, health officials notified residents in Hampstead and Westminster, Maryland that high levels of PFAS and PFOS were found in the town’s drinking water. One well had a total PFAS and PFOS concentration of 249.3 parts per trillion (ppt) on November 4, which is more than 7-times the EPA’s acceptable limit.
$4 Billion PFAS Settlement Reached DuPont, Chemours, Corteva
IN January 2021, DuPont, Chemours and Corteva agreed to pay a $4 billion settlement to resolve legal disputes over who is responsible for lawsuits involving PFAS cleanup. The settlement creates a cost-sharing agreement and an escrow account to manage future PFAS lawsuits.
PFAS Class Action Lawsuit Ends in $17 Million Settlement
In January 2021, Tyco Fire Products agreed to pay a $17.5 million settlement for PFAS contamination in groundwater for the people of Peshtigo, Wisconsin.
The settlement pays out approximately $60,000 to $70,000 per homeowner for private well-water contamination with PFAS. It also provides $2.5 million for health problems, such as:
- Testicular cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy)
What is PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals that resist water, grease, and oils. They have been used in consumer products worldwide since the 1940s in a wide range of products. In the U.S., there is widespread PFAS chemical contamination in the air, water, and soil, including sources of drinking water.
What Are The Most Common PFAS Chemicals?
PFOA and PFOS are the 2 most well-studied PFAS chemicals. Their use is being phased out, but they will exist in the environment for thousands of years. There are many other PFAS chemicals, including GenX chemicals and PFBS, that are still being used in the U.S. and other countries.
99% of Americans Have PFAS in Their Blood
Today, PFAS are found in the bloodstream of 99% of Americans. They are commonly used in fast food packaging, waterproof clothing, nonstick pans, carpets, and firefighting foam (also called AFFF foam) to extinguish fires at airports and military sites.
What is the Problem?
PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment for thousands of years. They also accumulate in the human body. Unfortunately, exposure to even low levels of PFAS is associated with a wide range of health problems, including several cancers.
How Does PFAS Get Into My Body?
- Drinking contaminated water, municipal tap water, or private well water
- Eating fish caught from water contaminated by PFAS
- Swallowing contaminated soil or dust
- Eating fast food packaged in PFAS-treated wrappers or boxes
- Using products like non-stick cookware, stain-resistant carpets, or water-repellant clothing
List of PFAS Chemicals Being Monitored by EPA
At least 4,000 PFAS have been sold in the U.S., including PFBS and GenX chemicals, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) only collects data on these six PFAS chemicals:
- perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
- perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
- perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
- perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
- perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
- perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
How Common is PFAS Contamination?
As of January 2021, at least 2,337 locations in 49 states are known to have PFAS contamination, according to a study by the Environmental Working Group (EPA).
Can I Join a Class Action Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is nationally recognized as a class action law firm, but we are not currently filing a PFAS class action lawsuit. Instead, we are filing individual lawsuits for people who were diagnosed with cancer and other health problems after being exposed to PFAS chemicals, and people who discovered PFAS in drinking water, private wells, or groundwater.
About Class Actions
Class action lawsuits can have major disadvantages for people who are seeking a large financial payout, especially people with serious health problems like cancer, or people who are dealing with permanent groundwater contamination on their property. This is because anyone who joins the class action gets a cut of the payout.
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Class Action
Our lawyers are focusing on PFAS lawsuits for people with severe injuries or property damage. In fact, hundreds of PFAS lawsuits have already been filed for water contamination and health problems linked to firefighting foam or Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF).
Should I File a PFAS Lawsuit?
PFAS lawsuits have been filed by people who suffered health problems, needed ongoing medical monitoring (such as cancer screenings), had property damage like well-water contamination, or other losses, due to PFAS in groundwater from firefighting foams. Many of these lawsuits involve people who live near airports, military bases, fire training facilities, landfills, and other industrial sites.
PFAS Multi-District Litigation (MDL)
These lawsuits are not part of a class action. Instead, each lawsuit has been centralized in a federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in South Carolina — Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) Products Liability Litigation MDL No. 2873.
Do I have a PFAS Class Action Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting PFAS induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know had drinking water contamination or health problems from toxic PFAS chemicals, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Class Action Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
