3M Agrees to $7.35 Billion PFAS Personal Injury Settlement

3M reached a broad resolution to settle PFAS-related personal injury claims associated with Aqueous Film-Forming Foam Multi-District Litigation in a South Carolina federal district court. The company committed to a pre-tax nominal payment of $7.35 billion over nine years, which carries a present value of $5.8 billion.

The agreement addresses approximately 99% of current personal injury claims, involving between 115,000 and 120,000 eligible plaintiffs. As part of the deal, 3M will make a $50 million payment in 2026 and establish a $680 million reserve fund for remaining and future claims. The company maintains that the agreement is not an admission of liability.

3M will record a $5.8 billion pre-tax charge in the fourth quarter of 2026, though it stated this does not change its previously issued 2026 guidance. Chairman and CEO William Brown characterized the settlement as a significant milestone that substantially reduces litigation uncertainty.