Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company Lawsuits

3M Asbestos Lawsuits and Mesothelioma Compensation

Operating in more than 70 countries now, 3M remains a financially stable global company. Despite facing many asbestos lawsuits over the years because of the company’s past asbestos products, 3M has never filed for bankruptcy.

Many other asbestos manufacturers have gone bankrupt, fighting asbestos lawsuits in court. In this process these companies often set up asbestos trust funds to put aside money for future claims. However, 3M continues to handle asbestos litigation through the court system. This means people exposed to its products file personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits.

Compensation from trial verdicts or negotiated settlements can help people with mesothelioma and lung cancer cover medical expenses and lost wages. A knowledgeable and experienced asbestos attorney will manage your lawsuit for you throughout the process.

Legal Help for People Exposed to Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company Products

If you’ve been exposed to 3M’s asbestos products and developed an asbestos-related cancer, consult a mesothelioma lawyer about your legal options. Your attorney will gather evidence of your diagnosis of mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer, work history and all other details documenting your history of exposure and 3M’s liability.

The key to a successful working relationship with your lawyer is not only finding someone with the right expertise for your case, but knowing this is someone you and your family are comfortable working with. Finding the right legal expert for you can feel daunting. A Patient Advocate will match you to the best lawyer for your needs who will manage the process for you from filing your lawsuit to negotiating your settlement.

Your Patient Advocate will also offer support throughout your cancer journey. They’ll connect you with mesothelioma doctors and support groups, navigate insurance and VA benefits claims for you and send you free resources like treatment and nutrition guides.

Asbestos Litigation Involving 3M

The company has faced mesothelioma lawsuits for decades. Most cases result in negotiated settlements. For example, in February 2016, 3M settled consolidated mesothelioma lawsuits the day before trial. The plaintiffs were former workers of the same Weyerhaeuser factory that manufactured fireproof doors with asbestos.

A court of appeals in 2021 upheld a $4 million verdict in favor of the plaintiffs and 3M had been named among the defendants. But the company chose to settle before trial. So ExxonMobil, which proceeded to trial, was held responsible for paying the damages to the surviving family of Warren Wright, who died of mesothelioma following asbestos exposure in oil refineries.

Recent 3M lawsuits involve a defective respirator that failed to protect workers. In June 2018, a Wisconsin court ruled there was enough evidence to continue a consolidated lawsuit from two mesothelioma plaintiffs claiming 3M’s respirators failed to protect them from asbestos exposure.

The plaintiffs worked at a factory in Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin, which manufactured fireproof doors containing an asbestos core. Workers were required to wear 3M respirators while working around the asbestos cores, but the lawsuit claims these devices were defective and led to their development of mesothelioma.

3M’s History With Asbestos

From the mid-1930s through the late 1980s, 3M manufactured a variety of asbestos-containing products ranging from home repair materials to office supplies. The company incorporated asbestos fibers into these products to provide strength, durability and heat resistance.

Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company was founded in 1902 as a mining company. After purchasing its first laboratory in 1916, 3M began developing numerous products, including waterproof sandpaper, masking tape and sound-deadening materials for automobiles. The company experienced tremendous growth after World War II, expanding operations across the United States and internationally.

Today, 3M is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, employs more than 93,000 people in 70 countries. It sells more than 60,000 products worldwide with annual global sales totaling approximately $30 billion.

3M’s Asbestos Products

3M incorporated asbestos into numerous products across multiple categories, from industrial materials to consumer goods. The company’s asbestos product line served construction, automotive, manufacturing and home improvement markets.

Products Containing Asbestos

• 3M Adhesive
• 3M Caulk
• 3M Cement
• 3M Centerlite
• 3M Dust Masks
• 3M Greenlite Powder
• 3M Heat Protective Rolls
• 3M Heating Elements
• 3M Hot Melt Sunset Resin
• 3M Laminated Sheets
• 3M Pen and Pencil Holder
• 3M Rubber Coated Asbestos Cloth
• 3M Sandpaper
• 3M Sealers
• 3M Solid Pavement Material
• 3M Sticky Tar Caulking
• 3M Wet Adhesives
• Irvington Arc Proofing Tapes & Blankets

The diversity of these products meant asbestos exposure occurred across vastly different settings, from factory floors to office environments to residential construction sites. Knowing 3M’s asbestos product lineup can help identify potential eligibility for compensation among those who may have been exposed.

Who Was at Risk of Asbestos Exposure From 3M?

Factory workers who manufactured 3M’s asbestos products faced significant risk of asbestos exposure on the job. They handled raw asbestos fibers and assembled finished goods throughout their shifts.

Beyond the manufacturing environment, professionals across numerous trades encountered these materials as end users in their daily work. Asbestos is known to cause several serious diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, making 3M’s history with these products a significant health concern for workers, consumers and military personnel.

Workers at Higher Risk of Exposure

• Carpenters
• Construction workers
• Electricians
• Engineers
• Factory workers
• Maintenance workers
• Mechanics
• Office workers
• Painters
• Plumbers

A study in the International Journal of Epidemiology examined asbestos-related cancer risks among British workers across different industries. The research found that former plumbers, electricians and painters made up one of the highest risk categories, with a risk of mesothelioma almost 16 times higher than in the general population.

Do-it-yourself homeowners also used 3M adhesives, caulks and sealants for repairs and renovations. They unknowingly exposed themselves and their families to dangerous asbestos fibers.

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