Daiken America, 3M Company and Dyneon LLC are manufacturing companies engaged in the production of different products. Contamination allegations were made against these companies in the past. A “forever chemicals” water contamination class action settlement has been filed against 3M, Dyneon, and Daiken alleging that they contaminated residential water sources in Alabama. This $12 million water contamination settlement is expected to benefit residential customers of the Town Creek Water System, West Morgan-East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority, the V.A.W. Water System, the West Lawrence Water Cooperative, or the Trinity Water Works who received and/or paid for services from these companies during 5th October 2013 and 26th September 2016.
The legal action brought against these companies has revealed that the practices of these companies continue to affect the residents in southern states. Plaintiffs have alleged both Daiken and 3M of discharging fluorochemicals into the Tennessee River and subsequently into residential water supplies. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) including perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) contaminated the river. These fluorochemicals are commonly known as “forever chemicals” as they do not disintegrate in the human body or the environment.
PFAS and its peer “forever chemicals” can induce serious health hazards like liver changes, increased cholesterol levels, decreased birth weights, pregnancy-related complications, and even certain types of cancers. The PFAS water contamination class action lawsuit has alleged Daiken and 3M of knowingly exposing the residents of Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to the inherent risk of PFAS contamination.
Although Daiken and 3M have not admitted to any wrongdoing, they have agreed to honor the terms of this water contamination class action lawsuit with a settlement fund worth $12 million. Out of the total settlement fund, Daiken will contribute $900000 and 3M will contribute $11.1 million. Other than the cash funds, Daiken and 3M also provided a new water filtration system to West Morgan-East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority. This filtration system has been specially designed to remove PFAS chemicals from drinking water. The last date for objecting to or excluding oneself from this settlement is 10th February 2022. Ratepayer subclass members will receive the settlement payments automatically via email and are not required to file a claim form.
Eligibility for Making Claim: The settlement includes two subclasses both of which have been defined as follows:
- Ratepayer Subclass constituting of class members who paid for water originating either from the West Lawrence Water Cooperative or the West Morgan-East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority, the Town Creek Water System between 1st November 2013 and 31st October 2016, or the Trinity Water Works or V.A.W. Water System between 1st November 2013 and 30th June 2016.
- Residential Subclass constituting members residing in Tennessee, Alabama, or Georgia who either owned or resided in a residential unit at least for six months that received water from either the West Lawrence Water Cooperative or the West Morgan-East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority, the Town Creek Water System between 5th October 2013 and 29th September 2016 or the Trinity Water Works or V.A.W. Water System between 5th October 2013 and 31st May 2016.
Proof of Purchase: Proof of purchase is not applicable.
Potential Claim Amount: Members of the Ratepayer Subclass are eligible to receive payments between $50-745 for each account depending on the time for which their account was active and the number of charges paid. The payment for residential subclass members will vary between $50 and $100.
Settlement Website: Wmeldrinkingwatersettlement.com
Claim Form: Select Claim Type (kccsecure.com)
Deadline For Submitting Claim: 04/15/2022
Final Hearing Date: 03/15/2022
Settlement Pool: $12 million