The company 3M, which has been a major manufacturer of what are known as “forever chemicals,” is staring down what could be a test case for whether it faces liability for water contamination caused by the toxic substances.
This upcoming week, claims from the city of Stuart, Fla., against 3M will go to trial.
This case is just one of hundreds that have been grouped together. They each pertain to claims about the use of a group of toxic chemicals, also called “PFAS,” that are found in firefighting foam.
The case for the city of Stuart, which has about 18,000 residents, was selected last year as the first “bellwether” case of the group to go to trial.
Bellwether cases are often viewed as test cases in which both the accusers and the accused can see how legal issues will play out and make decisions about future litigation in accordance.
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The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that two state laws banning abortion are unconstitutional, but the procedure remains illegal in the state in most cases.
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