Ohio Resident Challenges Court Ruling Dismissing 'Forever Chemicals' Lawsuit Against 3M, Corteva And Others

An Ohio resident, Kevin Hardwick, has urged the full 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider its decision regarding dismissing a class-action lawsuit implicating companies for exposing people to toxic PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). 

The lawsuit targeted 3M Co MMM, DuPont de Nemours Inc, Corteva Inc CTVA, Chemours Co CC, and others, aiming to hold these companies accountable for the presence of per- and polyfluorinated substances, commonly known as PFAS, in the human body.

Hardwick, the primary plaintiff in the case, petitioned for a reevaluation of the November ruling that dismantled the class-action status, preventing Ohio's 11.8 million residents from suing the companies collectively. 

He contended that the decision might enable companies to evade liability for PFAS pollution in the initial stages of litigation, provided multiple defendants manufactured the closely related chemicals implicated in harm.

Expressing concerns, Hardwick argued that the 6th Circuit's decision inaccurately assessed the linkage between his health issues and the chemicals produced by the companies, Reuters noted. 

He asserted that substantial evidence existed to support the continuation of the case, warning against the message the ruling might send if upheld.

PFAS, recognized as "forever chemicals" due to their resistance to breakdown in the environment or the human body, has been associated with severe health risks, including cancer. 

Despite the adverse effects linked to these substances, the ruling's impact on liability concerning PFAS pollution remains a contentious issue.

In June, 3M reached a lawsuit settlement deal of $10.3 billion, payable over 13 years, with several U.S.-based public water suppliers (PWS) related to PFAS remediation.

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