Ohio man asks appeals court to revive massive PFAS class action against 3M, DuPont

By Clark Mindock | Reuters | December 12, 2023

Read the full article by Clark Mindock (Reuters)

"An Ohio resident has told a U.S. appeals court its recent ruling putting an end to a massive class action lawsuit that accused 3M (MMM.N), Corteva Inc (CTVA.N) subsidiary E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co and other companies of putting people's health at risk by exposing them to toxic “forever chemicals” could send a dangerous message to chemical manufacturers facing similar claims, and deserves a second look.

Kevin Hardwick, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, on Monday asked the full 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a November decision that dismantled the class action that would have allowed roughly all of Ohio's 11.8 million residents to sue the companies as a group.

Hardwick said the decision would allow companies to escape potential liability for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, pollution at early stages of litigation if numerous defendants produced the mostly identical chemicals allegedly causing harm."