Decatur, Alabama Dec 17, 2023 (Issuewire.com) - Lawsuit filed against 3M Company, Daikin America, and Toray Fluorofibers - Alabama Water Contamination

On December 15, 2023, Garnett Patterson Injury Lawyers and Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton filed a lawsuit on behalf of five plaintiffs alleging that 3M Company, Daikin America, and Toray Fluorofibers caused plaintiffs to develop cancer after drinking water contaminated by PFAS chemicals. Plaintiffs' Complaint alleges that the Defendants discharged toxic PFAS chemicals into the Tennessee River and surrounding environment.  

PFAS chemicals are highly toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. When humans ingest PFAS chemicals, the chemicals are absorbed and distributed throughout the body. The toxic chemicals remain and persist in the body for long periods of time, accumulating over time and causing long-term damage to the body's organs. Exposure to PFAS chemicals cause many diseases including: 

• Kidney cancer,
• Testicular cancer,
• Liver cancer,
• Pancreatic cancer,
• Prostate cancer,
• Bladder cancer,
• Ulcerative colitis, 
• Thyroid disease, and 
• Other medical conditions. 

Since the 1970s, 3M has known that PFAS chemicals accumulate in the human body and are potentially toxic to human health. But 3M did nothing to limit the release of these chemicals into the environment in Decatur. Instead, 3M told the public that PFAS were not a threat to human health or the environment. Toray and Daikin also knew of the risks for years but continued to release PFAS into the environment anyway. 

The EPA has determined maximum contamination levels for PFAS. 3M has known for decades that PFAS chemicals are hazardous and can accumulate in water supplies. PFAS chemicals are not removed from water supplies through conventional water filtration and purification methods. 

Tests in recent years have shown high levels of PFAS chemicals in North Alabama water supplies. For example, West Morgan-East Lawrence Water Authority has found its water to have PFAS chemicals dozens of times higher than the safe levels proposed by the EPA. 

The Plaintiffs in this lawsuit lived in North Alabama for decades, unknowingly drinking water that contained extremely high levels of PFAS chemicals that originated from the Defendants' plants in Decatur. 

When asked for a comment, Attorney Hunter Garnett stated: "I grew up drinking water from West Morgan-East Lawrence Water Authority. I played little league baseball with Terry Cowart's son for years. Mr. Cowart was one of the father's who assisted with our little league practices. I'm honored to be representing folks from my community who were negatively affected by the conduct of these Defendants."

For more information, call Garnett Patterson Injury Lawyers at 256-539-8686 or Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton at 205-328-5330.