3M has agreed to pay $7.35 billion over nine years to settle personal injury claims from people who say PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam made them sick, the company disclosed in a November 3, 2026, filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The deal is aimed at the federal multidistrict litigation over aqueous film-forming foam, known as AFFF, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.
3M said the agreement addresses about 99 percent of current personal injury claims against it, inside and outside that litigation, involving about 115,000 to 120,000 plaintiffs eligible to participate, according to the company’s announcement and reporting by Envirotec and Fire & Safety Journal Americas. 3M does not admit liability.
The key terms
| Term | What the filing says |
|---|---|
| Total | “a total nominal amount of $7.35 billion between 2026 and 2034” |
| Present value | A pretax charge of about $5.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2026 |
| Who must act | People with claims in the AFFF litigation “must enroll in the Settlement” |
| What they give up | “a full release of any and all PFAS-related personal injury and certain other related claims” against 3M |
| Conditions | Amounts and timing “are subject to satisfaction of certain participation thresholds” |
| Liability | “3M does not admit any liability or wrongdoing” |
The case is In re: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2:18-mn-2873.
Who the settlement covers
The claims come from people who allege they were exposed to PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” through firefighting foam or contaminated drinking water. AFFF was used to fight fuel fires at airports, military bases and fire training centers, and claimants include firefighters and military personnel, Fire & Safety Journal Americas reported. The settlement is intended to compensate eligible claimants diagnosed with six specified injuries, including kidney and testicular cancer, according to that outlet. We have not seen the full list of the six in a source we could verify.
It is not final for everyone
The settlement works only if enough plaintiffs join. 3M’s filing lists as a risk whether participation “will fall below the level that would permit 3M to terminate the Settlement (and whether 3M will elect to terminate the Settlement if this occurs).” It also flags the possibility of “a significant number of future claims by plaintiffs that decline to participate,” and whether the settlement “is appealed or challenged.”
What the lawyers and company said
“This settlement is a significant milestone for 3M and substantially reduces litigation uncertainty,” 3M CEO Bill Brown said. Michael London, one of the court-appointed co-lead counsel for plaintiffs, called it a milestone that “sets out a clear path forward for other defendants to address their liability for AFFF and PFAS contamination,” Fire & Safety Journal Americas reported.
The deal is separate from 3M’s 2023 settlement with U.S. public water systems, which covered the cost of testing and treating contaminated drinking water, not personal injuries, Envirotec reported.
For Massachusetts readers
The settlement applies to claims against 3M, nationwide. Anyone in Massachusetts who believes they have an AFFF injury claim should know that participation turns on enrolling and signing a release, and that statutes of limitations still apply to claims not yet filed. Massachusetts statutes of limitations explained. Claimants with lawyers in the litigation will hear about enrollment from their counsel.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the 3M PFAS personal injury settlement?
$7.35 billion in nominal payments from 2026 to 2034, with a present value of about $5.8 billion, according to 3M’s SEC filing.
Who is eligible for the 3M AFFF settlement?
People with personal injury claims tied to PFAS in firefighting foam, which 3M estimated at 115,000 to 120,000 plaintiffs. Eligible claimants must have one of six specified injuries, including kidney and testicular cancer, according to Fire & Safety Journal Americas.
Did 3M admit fault?
No. The settlement states that 3M does not admit any liability or wrongdoing.
Can the settlement fall apart?
Yes. Payments depend on participation thresholds, and 3M’s filing says it may be able to terminate the deal if participation falls below a set level.
Sources: 3M Co. Form 8-K and press release, filed with the SEC November 3, 2026; Envirotec, November 4, 2026; Fire & Safety Journal Americas, November 2026; Plastics News, November 2026. General information, not legal advice.