STUART, Fla. — The city of Stuart and 3M have reached an agreement to settle a lawsuit filed against the company in 2018. The lawsuit alleged that 3M sold products containing PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), a group of manufactured chemicals that contaminated the groundwater wells used by Stuart residents and the city’s public water system.
The city was represented by the law firms Morgan & Morgan and Weitz & Luxenberg. PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are harmful because they do not break down in the environment or in the human body, according to the city.
The city stated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has linked PFAS exposure to reproductive issues, decreased fertility, increased high blood pressure in pregnant women, developmental delays in children, increased cancer risks, and weakened immune systems.
The settlement resolution was approved by the city on Friday afternoon. The case was selected by District Judge Richard M. Gergel in the South Carolina District as the first bellwether for the In re: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2:18-mn-2873-RMG.
“We are pleased to announce that we have reached a settlement with 3M on behalf of the City of Stuart regarding the alleged contamination of the city’s drinking water. This settlement will ensure that the city can continue to provide clean drinking water to its residents.
We are grateful for the opportunity to represent the City of Stuart and to have achieved a fair outcome for the residents,” said Frank Petosa of Morgan & Morgan and Nancy Christensen of Weitz & Luxenberg in a joint statement.
