Baron & Budd Obtains $312.5 Million Settlement with BASF Corporation in PFAS Water Contamination Litigation
May 21 2024 - 10:36AM
Business Wire
The settlement funds will provide critical resources for public
water systems to address PFAS detected in drinking water supplies
nationwide.
Today, Baron & Budd announced a $312.5 million settlement
agreement has been reached with BASF Corporation resolving
PFAS-related drinking water contamination claims. The settlement,
part of the nationwide Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) Products
Liability Litigation (MDL 2873), will provide critical funding to
public water systems throughout the country that have detected PFAS
in their water supplies.
This agreement comes after the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) recently announced stringent federal drinking water standards
that regulate PFAS levels in public water supplies and designated
PFOA and PFOS as “hazardous substances” under federal law.
Alongside the nearly $14 billion previously paid by 3M and DuPont,
these funds will support public water systems facing PFAS
contamination and aid in compliance with the new EPA regulatory
requirements.
“This settlement is another significant advance in our critical
mission to ensure safer drinking water for Americans,” said Leader
of the Environmental Litigation Group at Baron & Budd and
co-lead in the MDL, Scott Summy. “Combined with earlier
settlements, this $312.5 million will provide funds for public
water suppliers facing PFAS remediation and now compliance with
strict new regulations.”
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made
chemicals used in the manufacturing of many products including
aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). AFFF is a firefighting agent used
at airports, military bases, and fire training centers. The use of
AFFF at these facilities results in PFAS runoff, contaminating
groundwater. Known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence
and water solubility, PFAS chemicals are toxic and have been linked
to certain types of cancer when consumed.
The Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) overseen by the Honorable
Richard Gergel in U.S. District Court for the District of South
Carolina includes more than 7,000 cases concerning AFFF made with
PFAS. These cases encompass claims from public water providers for
testing and remediation costs, individuals harmed by PFAS, and
property damage cases related to loss of property and harm to
natural resources. All settlements to date have resolved only
public water providers’ claims.
About Baron & Budd, P.C.
With more than 40 years of experience, Baron & Budd has the
expertise and resources to handle complex litigation throughout the
United States. As a law firm that takes pride in remaining at the
forefront of litigation, Baron & Budd has spearheaded many
significant cases for hundreds of public entities and tens of
thousands of individuals. Since the firm was founded in 1977, Baron
& Budd has achieved substantial national acclaim for its work
on cutting-edge litigation, trying hundreds of cases to verdict and
settling tens of thousands of cases in areas of litigation as
diverse and significant as dangerous and highly addictive
pharmaceuticals, defective medical devices, asbestos and
mesothelioma, wildfires, environmental contamination, fraudulent
banking practices, e-cigarettes, motor vehicles, federal
whistleblower cases, and other consumer fraud issues.
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Debra Collier Marketing Manager Steven T. Baron Shareholder
MediaRelations@baronbudd.com