Holding Manufacturers Accountable
Across the United States, lawsuits allege that chemical manufacturers knowingly allowed PFAS contamination to persist in water systems, workplaces, and communities.
PFAS litigation has evolved into one of the largest environmental mass tort actions in U.S. history. Thousands of cases have been filed by municipalities, public water systems, firefighters, military personnel, and individuals alleging long-term exposure and environmental contamination. While several major settlements have been reached, litigation remains ongoing in federal and state courts.
Let’s Dive in to the Types of PFAS Lawsuits.
- Municipal and Water System Law Suits
Cities, counties, and public water providers have sued chemical manufacturers to recover the costs of testing, filtration, and infrastructure upgrades needed to remove PFAS from drinking water systems. These cases often allege:
- Public nuisance
- Negligence
- Failure to warn
- Design defect
Several large settlements have been reached in these cases, including multi-billion-dollar agreements intended to fund water treatment and environmental remediation.
- Firefighter and Military Exposure Lawsuits
Firefighters and military personnel have filed lawsuits alleging prolonged exposure to PFAS-containing firefighting foam (AFFF). These plaintiffs claim manufacturers failed to disclose contamination risks despite internal knowledge of environmental persistence.
These lawsuits typically assert:
- Product liability
- Failure to warn
- Concealment of known hazards
- Strict liability
Many of these cases have been consolidated in federal court as part of multi-district litigation (MDL).
- Personal Injury Lawsuits
Individuals diagnosed with certain cancers or chronic health conditions have filed claims alleging their illnesses are linked to long-term PFAS exposure.
Unlike municipal cases focused on infrastructure costs, personal injury claims seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term health monitoring
These cases are ongoing and remain separate from many of the water system settlements.
Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) and Federal Consolidation
Due to the volume of PFAS-related lawsuits filed across the country, many cases have been consolidated into federal multi-district litigation.
One major example is:
Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation
MDL 2873, centralized in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina since 2018, consolidates thousands of lawsuits alleging that PFAS-containing firefighting foam contaminated drinking water and caused property damage and personal injuries.
Plaintiffs claim manufacturers failed to warn about contamination risks despite knowledge of PFAS persistence. The litigation has produced over $14 billion in public water system settlements, while personal injury cases remain ongoing, with bellwether trials scheduled to begin in October 2025.
https://www.law360.com/articles/1814740 https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/8408916/in-re-aqueous-film-forming-foams-products-liability-litigation-mdl-2873 https://www.scd.uscourts.gov/mdl-2873/orders/CMO%2036%20ECF%207891.pdf
This MDL centralizes pretrial proceedings for cases involving AFFF firefighting foam containing PFAS. Consolidation allows federal courts to streamline discovery, coordinate expert testimony, and manage complex litigation involving thousands of plaintiffs and multiple corporate defendants.
Major Corporate Defendants
Several major chemical manufacturers have been named in PFAS litigation, including:
- 3M
- DuPont
- Chemours
Plaintiffs allege these companies manufactured and distributed PFAS-containing products while being aware of their environmental persistence and potential health risks.
It is important to note that defendants have denied wrongdoing in many cases, even while agreeing to settlements.
Major Settlements in PFAS Litigation
PFAS litigation has resulted in some of the largest environmental settlements in U.S. history.
In 2023, 3M agreed to pay up to $10.3 billion to resolve claims brought by public water systems related to PFAS contamination from firefighting foam. The settlement is structured over 13 years and is intended to fund water testing and filtration infrastructure. However, personal injury claims related to PFAS exposure remain ongoing and were not resolved by that agreement.
Additional settlements involving other manufacturers have further expanded the financial scope of PFAS-related accountability.
What’s the current status of PFAS litigation?
PFAS litigation is ongoing at both the federal and state levels. While municipal infrastructure claims have seen substantial settlements, individual exposure and injury cases continue to move forward through the court system.
As courts continue to address remaining claims, PFAS lawsuits remain a developing area of environmental and product liability law.
Cites Referenced
https://www.drugwatch.com/pfas-lawsuits/water-contamination/settlements/
