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3M agrees to settlement with New Jersey

5/20/25

By: Joshua G. Ferguson and James M. Mathew

Recently, 3M has agreed to a $450 million settlement with the state of New Jersey to resolve claims related to the presence of PFAS—perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances—in the environment.  

PFAS are a group of chemicals used in various industrial and consumer products for their water- and grease-resistant properties. PFAS compounds have been used for decades in a wide range of industries due to their durability, heat resistance and water-repelling qualities. They have played a critical role in the development of many consumer products, including medical devices, firefighting foams and protective clothing. 

The agreement starts with a payment of $275 million to $325 million between 2026 and 2034. The total settlement will be $450 million over 25 years, which state officials have described as the largest statewide PFAS settlement in state history. These funds are meant to be used for environmental remediation, public health monitoring and other related initiatives. The settlement does not include any admission of wrongdoing by 3M. 

The settlement between 3M and New Jersey represents the ongoing developments in the litigation surrounding PFAS. While the agreement provides financial resources for remediation, it also emphasizes the difficulties and challenges associated with managing the environmental and public health impacts of these “forever chemicals.”  

FMG continues its representation of complex litigation involving alleged PFAS exposure and remains well-informed and knowledgeable about all aspects of PFAS and their impact on human health. For more information, please feel free to contact Joshua G. Ferguson at joshua.ferguson@fmglaw.com or James M. Mathew at james.mathew@fmglaw.com.

Information conveyed herein should not be construed as legal advice or represent any specific or binding policy or procedure of any organization. Information provided is for educational purposes only. These materials are written in a general format and not intended to be advice applicable to any specific circumstance. Legal opinions may vary when based on subtle factual distinctions. All rights reserved. No part of this presentation may be reproduced, published or posted without the written permission of Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP.