PFAS "Forever Chemicals" Water Contamination Lawsuit

What Is This Lawsuit About?

The PFAS "Forever Chemicals" Water Contamination Lawsuit is one of the largest environmental litigation efforts in American history. Thousands of public water systems, communities, and individuals are suing the manufacturers of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) — toxic synthetic chemicals that have contaminated drinking water across the United States.

PFAS are called "forever chemicals" because they do not break down naturally in the environment and can persist in the human body for years. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to serious health conditions including kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, liver damage, and reproductive issues.

In 2023, two landmark settlements signaled the scale of this litigation: 3M agreed to pay at least $10.3 billion over 13 years to settle water utility claims, and DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva agreed to pay $1.185 billion. These were settlements for public water systems only — personal injury claims from individuals with PFAS-related health conditions continue to be litigated.

PFAS contamination is closely related to the AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit and shares environmental contamination parallels with the Camp Lejeune water contamination case. For more context on how environmental mass torts work, read our guide on how mass tort lawsuits work.

What Are PFAS "Forever Chemicals"?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals that have been manufactured since the 1940s. Their unique carbon-fluorine bond makes them extremely resistant to heat, water, grease, and stains — properties that made them commercially valuable but environmentally disastrous.

The most well-studied PFAS compounds include PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid, used in Teflon manufacturing) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate, used in Scotchgard and AFFF firefighting foam). These chemicals have been detected in the blood of 97% of Americans tested by the CDC, according to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.

Who Qualifies?

PFAS lawsuits involve a broad range of potential claimants, from individuals with health conditions to communities with contaminated water systems. You may qualify if any of the following apply:

Lawsuit Timeline

PFAS litigation has evolved over more than two decades, from early investigations to landmark multi-billion dollar settlements:

Settlement Amounts

PFAS litigation has already produced some of the largest environmental settlements in history. Here are the major settlements reached so far and projected ranges for individual claims:

For individual personal injury claims, settlement amounts will depend on the nature and severity of your PFAS-related health condition:

Understanding how settlements are calculated can help you set realistic expectations. Read our guide on mass tort settlement amounts to learn more.

How to File a Claim

Whether you are an individual with a PFAS-related health condition or a community affected by contaminated water, filing a claim starts with consulting a qualified attorney. Learn about how to join a mass tort lawsuit for more details on the process.

Named Defendants

PFAS lawsuits target the companies that manufactured, distributed, and profited from PFAS chemicals while allegedly concealing knowledge of their health and environmental risks:

Health Effects of PFAS Exposure

Decades of scientific research, including the C8 Science Panel studies conducted between 2005 and 2013 on communities near DuPont's Parkersburg, West Virginia plant, have identified numerous health conditions linked to PFAS exposure:

• Kidney cancer: C8 Science Panel found a "probable link" between PFOA exposure and kidney cancer. Multiple subsequent studies have confirmed elevated risk.
• Testicular cancer: C8 Science Panel found a "probable link" between PFOA and testicular cancer, with workers in PFAS manufacturing showing elevated rates.
• Thyroid disease: PFAS disrupts thyroid hormone function. Both hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer have been linked to PFAS exposure.
• Liver damage: PFAS accumulates in the liver and has been associated with elevated liver enzymes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and liver cancer.
• Immune suppression: PFAS exposure reduces the effectiveness of vaccines and suppresses overall immune function, increasing vulnerability to infections.
• Reproductive issues: Linked to pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, and reduced fertility. PFAS can cross the placenta and is found in breast milk.
• Ulcerative colitis: C8 Science Panel found a "probable link" between PFOA exposure and ulcerative colitis.
• Elevated cholesterol: One of the most consistently demonstrated health effects of PFAS exposure across populations.

Where Are PFAS Found?

PFAS contamination is widespread across the United States. Key contamination sources include:

• Military bases: Hundreds of military installations used AFFF firefighting foam containing PFAS during training exercises, contaminating surrounding groundwater and drinking water supplies.
• Civilian airports: Commercial and private airports where AFFF was used for fire suppression training and emergency response.
• Industrial manufacturing facilities: Factories where PFAS were produced or used in manufacturing processes, including 3M and DuPont plants.
• Landfills: PFAS-containing consumer products disposed of in landfills leach chemicals into groundwater.
• Wastewater treatment plants: Unable to fully remove PFAS, these facilities can discharge contaminated water into rivers and streams.

The EPA has detected PFAS in the drinking water of communities in every state. If you believe your water may be contaminated, contact your local water utility for testing results or consult an attorney about your options.