Our PFOA Water Lawsuit Helped Protect 48,000 New Jersey Families

When most people hear "class action lawsuit," they picture a big check split among thousands of people. That can happen. Sometimes, though, the real value of a class action goes well beyond the money. Sometimes it protects your health.

We had a case like that in Middlesex County, New Jersey.

The Middlesex Water PFOA Class Action

Our firm was one of three that sued Middlesex Water Company and 3M on behalf of families whose tap water was contaminated with PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). PFOA is known as a "forever chemical" because it doesn't break down, in the environment or in the human body.

3M manufactured PFOA, and it was widely used to make nonstick products like Teflon. It has also been linked to cancer. And it was showing up in the drinking water of about 48,000 homes in Middlesex County.

PFOA in the Drinking Water Was Preventable

It didn't have to be this way. Water treatment systems that remove PFOA exist, but Middlesex Water hadn't put one in place, which left its customers exposed.

A $4.9 Million Settlement and Cleaner Water

The Superior Court of New Jersey in Middlesex County gave final approval to a $4.9 million settlement with Middlesex Water and 3M, resolving two lawsuits brought on behalf of water customers.

Just as important, Middlesex Water upgraded its treatment system. Today, 48,000 families are drinking water with PFOA removed.

Why a Class Action Works Against Big Companies

On your own, you don't have much leverage against a utility or a major corporation. A class action changes that. When everyone who's been affected stands together, a company can't brush the problem off as one person's complaint. It has to answer for the harm it caused.

That's the greater good a class action lawsuit can achieve, and we are proud to have been part of the solution.

Concerned about contaminated drinking water in your community? Contact our class action team for a free consultation.