PFOA Water Contamination Linked to Cancers

PHILADELPHIA, July 23 (Williams Cedar Law Firm) – Williams Cedar is proud to announce a $65.25 Million partial settlement fund of a class action lawsuit involving the PFOA “forever chemical” contamination of private wells and the municipal water supply serving residents of Hoosick Falls, NY. Williams Cedar was part of the team of lawyers representing the plaintiffs. which included Faraci Longe of Rochester, NY and Seeger Weiss and Weitz + Luxemburg of New York, NY. The federal court for the Northern District of New York granted preliminary approval of the settlement on July 27, 2021. A hearing to determine final approval is set for February, 2022.

The settlement includes three of the four defendants in the case: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Honeywell International and 3M, and the litigation continues against E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.

In late 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notified Hoosick Falls, NY residents that their drinking water wasn’t safe due to contamination by a chemical known as PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), which is used in the manufacture of non-stick pans, as well as industrial and commercial products. PFOA exposure is linked to the development of a variety of health issues including kidney and testicular cancer.

Under the terms of the settlement, $20.7 million will be distributed to residents belonging to either the “Municipal Water Property Settlement Class” or the “Private Well Water Property Settlement Class.” Approximately another $7.8 million will be allocated to the “Nuisance Settlement Class” and another $22.8 million to the “Medical Monitoring Settlement Class.”

“Through the agreement, 3M, Saint-Gobain and Honeywell will collectively contribute a fixed total amount of $65.25 million to resolve the plaintiffs’ claims on behalf of themselves and the proposed classes,” said 3M in a press release. “Individual contributions among the parties will remain confidential under the agreement. 3M’s contribution to the total amount is reflected in the company’s existing financial reserves for litigation contingent liabilities as previously disclosed in its quarterly report. 3M proactively manages PFAS through environmental responsibility efforts, education and research, and engaging technology to strengthen global communities. We remain committed to working collaboratively with communities and sharing our scientific knowledge on PFAS to achieve our common goals.”

Honeywell said in a statement to local news affiliate WAMC that remediation in Hoosick Falls is a top priority for the company. “Using cutting-edge science and engineering, we continue to work collaboratively and transparently under the supervision of state and federal agencies to conduct environmental investigations, construct interim remedies, and implement cleanup plans…The Village’s municipal water supply has been non-detect for PFOA since March 2016 as a result of Honeywell’s and Saint-Gobain’s funding of interim and full-capacity water treatment systems. As a reflection of the Company’s commitment to responsible remediation, Honeywell, along with Saint-Gobain and 3M, has reached a settlement with plaintiffs in this class action, which has been submitted to the court for preliminary approval.”

Lia LoBello, director of business of communications for Saint-Gobain, said, “Saint-Gobain is pleased to have reached a settlement agreement with the Plaintiffs in the New York class action lawsuit…Since first learning about the issue of PFAS in Hoosick Falls, the company took a leadership position on this issue and we believe this agreement is indicative of that commitment. The health, safety and wellbeing of both our employees and the communities in which we operate are important to us, and we take that responsibility very seriously.”

Jerry Williams, the Williams Cedar partner who worked on the case said, “This settlement is an important step toward obtaining justice for the people of Hoosick Falls, NY who, for decades, were exposed to a dangerous chemical in their water and air. This settlement presents a model for the kinds of legal remedies our system is capable of providing.”

Of the approximately 1,800 current and former residents of Hoosick Falls, this settlement is intended to compensate them for the potential health consequences of their exposure to the PFOA chemicals, as well as the potential loss of property value. The settlement is also intended to provide a medical system of early detection for any related health issues these individuals may suffer in future years. Separate from this settlement, if a class member gets diagnosed with the illness linked to the chemical, then that individual can file another lawsuit.

Read a local news report by Spectrum News.

If you believe your private well or local water supply has been contaminated with toxic chemicals such as PFOA, contact Williams Cedar for a free environmental consultation.