Hundreds of consumers and their attorneys are filing massive lawsuits and winning against major corporations that sell dangerous products. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) have become the central point of several, well-known product liability cases. Attorneys in West Virginia and many other states have joined the trend in filing product liability cases against PFAS manufacturers.
Recent trends in product liability lawsuits
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances consist of over 7,000 artificial chemicals that are used to make highly resistant fluoropolymer coatings in various products. Dupont used them to make the product known as “Teflon,” the brand name of a chemical compound called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
Product liability often involves newsworthy, class-action lawsuits that are filed against multimillion-dollar manufacturers and manufacturing companies. From 2010 to 2022, dozens of personal injury lawsuits have been filed against manufacturing companies like Dupont and 3M. Pollution is the main complaint, and the remedy is for the companies to cover the costs of environmental cleanups and remediation services. In 2010, Minnesota filed a PFAS claim against 3M for pollution in the drinking water. A $850 million settlement was provided to the state, which used the money to fund water cleaning and sustainability projects.
In the 2020s, there are concerns that new waves of product liability claims will occur. Recently, a PFAS manufacturer made settlements for several lawsuits. In 2020, Michigan sued 17 manufacturing companies under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.
Holding companies liable
Product liability cases are made to address and prevent the manufacture of hazardous chemical compounds. Since 2010, entire states and their legal teams have filed lawsuits against the companies that make and sell PFAS products. The number of lawsuits is expected to increase, and some suits may take years to resolve.
