The Miller Law Firm’s Efforts as Co-lead Counsel Secures $54 Million Settlement in West Michigan PFAS Lawsuit
The Miller Law Firm, as co-lead counsel, succeeded in securing final approval of a $54 million settlement in a class action lawsuit filed against defendants Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. (“Wolverine”) and The 3M Company (“3M”). U.S District Court Judge Hala Jarbou in the Western District of Michigan granted final approval of the $54 million settlement on March 29, 2023. The Miller Law Firm team was led by E. Powell Miller, Sharon Almonrode (co-lead class counsel), and Emily Hughes.
This settlement is the culmination of a class action lawsuit litigated over the course of over five years and first filed in December 2017. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of a class of property owners alleging that their properties were harmed by water contaminated with high levels of PFAS chemicals. PFAS are hazardous to humans and remain in the soil and groundwater for decades. The lawsuit alleged that Wolverine illegally dumped waste-containing PFAS compounds produced by 3M throughout Kent County and subsequently contaminated the surrounding soil and water supply. As a result, the affected property owners could not use their water for everyday purposes – such as drinking, cooking, and bathing – and Plaintiffs maintain that they experienced a decline in their property values. This $54 million settlement will provide meaningful relief to these property owners.
Co-lead class counsel included Esther Berezofsky of Motley Rice, LLC. Other co-counsel included Mark Dearman and Dorothy Antullis of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd, Paul Novak of Weitz & Luxenberg, Kara Elgersma of Wexler Boley & Elgersma, Jason Thompson of Sommers Schwartz, and Megan Bonanni of Pitt, McGehee, Palmer, Bonanni & Rivers.