3M Reaches $5.8 Billion Settlement in PFAS Personal Injury Litigation

3M has finalized a settlement agreement to resolve claims associated with Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) litigation. The deal addresses approximately 115,000 to 120,000 plaintiffs, covering 99% of current personal injury claims both within and outside the federal multi-district litigation in South Carolina.

The settlement carries a nominal value of $7.35 billion, with a present value of $5.8 billion, payable over nine years through 2034. 3M will record the charge in the fourth quarter of 2026. The company maintains that the payment schedule will not alter its previously provided 2026 financial guidance.

CEO William Brown stated that the settlement aims to reduce litigation uncertainty, building on previous agreements with public water suppliers. The company clarified that the agreement does not constitute an admission of liability. 3M successfully concluded its global exit from PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025, marking the end of its historical use of the compounds.