3M PFAS lawsuits cost billions. Insurance giant AIG doesn't want to pay.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Insurance company AIG filed a lawsuit against Minnesota-based manufacturer 3M to avoid paying for thousands of lawsuits related to 3M’s production and dumping of PFAS chemicals.
3M’s insurance provider is suing to avoid paying for thousands of lawsuits
What they're saying:
In a federal lawsuit, AIG says its own policies have language "limiting or barring coverage" for various reasons, including PFAS-related liability and damages stemming from pollution.
The backstory:
PFAS chemicals can be found in non-stick and water-resistant household items. 3M began manufacturing the chemicals in the 1950s, which have since been linked to serious health risks including cancer.
READ MORE FROM THE FOX 9 INVESTIGATORS
Local perspective:
After the State of Minnesota sued 3M in 2010, company executives were questioned under oath about insurance payouts.
The FOX 9 Investigators obtained hundreds of recorded depositions last year, including with a 3M claims manager at the time who explained the company’s insurance policies.
"This stuff was just insurers throwing something at the wall hoping something would stick," said Scott Stevenson during a recorded deposition.
The other side:
3M has not officially responded to AIG’s lawsuit, which was filed in late October.
However, a 3M spokesperson told the FOX 9 Investigators in a statement that the company "disputes the allegations made by AIG in this lawsuit and strongly opposes its insurance companies’ attempts to avoid their coverage obligations for PFAS claims."
"3M expects its insurers to fully honor their obligations to defend and indemnify the company under their policies." the statement said.
What's Next:
3M is petitioning to move the case to a federal court in South Carolina, which could be decided later this month.