Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company (3M)

Highest-Risk Occupations

Before the federal government introduced asbestos legislation in the 1970s, 3M used asbestos in the manufacture of a wide range of its products. Asbestos posed a threat not just to 3M factory employees but also to end users who may have come into contact with the toxic fibers. 

Despite growing knowledge of the health risks posed by asbestos exposure, 3M failed to warn workers and consumers about the potential hazards. 

Who Is at Highest Risk for Exposure?

There is no safe amount of asbestos exposure. However, the people facing the highest risks for the development of an asbestos-related illness are generally those who had routine occupational exposure. 

Many of these individuals were not given adequate protective equipment and often worked in poorly ventilated areas. These conditions magnify the risk of inhaling asbestos particles, which can lead to severe diseases like mesothelioma decades later. 

Factory Workers

3M factory workers faced some of the highest direct risks due to regular handling of raw asbestos fibers or asbestos-containing material during manufacturing. Direct contact with asbestos creates significant risk of inhaling harmful asbestos fibers.

Construction Workers

Asbestos sheds particles when it is disturbed or damaged. Construction workers who cut, drilled, sanded, or disturbed 3M asbestos products during installation, renovation, maintenance, or removal often released airborne fibers into cramped, poorly ventilated work areas. 

Shipyard Workers

Shipbuilders valued asbestos for its fire resistance and durability. Shipyard workers were routinely exposed to asbestos fibers during repair and maintenance tasks, putting entire crews at risk over long shifts and increasing the likelihood of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.

Family Members Exposed to Secondhand Asbestos

Those who have lost a loved one to an asbestos-related illness may qualify for compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. Additionally, family members of asbestos workers may have become ill from secondhand asbestos exposure through tasks like laundering contaminated work clothes, and they may also be entitled to compensation.

3M Asbestos Products

3M valued asbestos for its durability and resistance to heat and fire, and they used it in multiple products made for high-heat, high-friction environments. Asbestos’s durability and light weight made it an attractive choice for many manufacturers if they were willing to ignore its cancer-causing effects and other serious health risks. 

Despite growing knowledge of asbestos’s negative effects on the human body, 3M continued using it in its products until the 1980s. Some of its asbestos-containing construction materials may still be in place, creating ongoing risks for those working with and around them. 

Top Asbestos-Containing Products

• 3M Adhesive
• 3M Wet Adhesives
• 3M Caulk
• 3M Centerlite
• 3M Greenlite Powder
• 3M Hot Melt Sunset Resin
• 3M Sticky Tar Caulking
• 3M Dust Masks
• 3M Heat Protective Rolls
• 3M Rubber Coated Asbestos Cloth
• 3M Heating Elements
• 3M Laminated Sheets
• Irvington Arc Proofing Tapes and Blankets

3M Respirators & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

​​Although 3M did not manufacture protective and safety gear using asbestos, their masks in the 1960s (specifically the 3M 8500 and 8710 models) inadvertently exposed some workers to harmful asbestos fibers.

Workers who have filed lawsuits allege that 3M’s 8500 dust mask failed to protect against asbestos fibers adequately despite the company’s claim that it could defend against the toxic dust. 3M argues that they never marketed the masks as suitable for use around asbestos.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approved the 8710 disposable respirator for worksites with asbestos. However, this approval was granted only for use on sites with asbestos levels 10 times below the permissible exposure limit.

Securing Asbestos Compensation From 3M

Compensation is available to qualified victims and their family members who have been harmed by 3M. If you or a loved one has developed an asbestos-related illness like mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestos due to 3M asbestos exposure, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. 

Additional forms of compensation, such as benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), workers’ compensation, and more, may also be available. Some claimants also qualify for compensation from more than one asbestos company.

We can help you determine your eligibility and the potential value of your claim for free. Contact us today.

Filing a Lawsuit

Despite significant asbestos liabilities, 3M has not declared bankruptcy or established an asbestos trust fund. Individuals harmed by 3M asbestos exposure can seek compensation for damages through a lawsuit.  The type of lawsuit you file depends on your individual circumstances.

There are two primary types:

• Personal injury lawsuit: This allows living victims of asbestos exposure to seek compensation for their losses.
• Wrongful death lawsuit: This allows dependents or family members of deceased asbestos exposure victims to recover damages for the loss of their loved one.

Lawsuits against 3M often end in settlements. Settlements are legally binding agreements negotiated by the legal teams of the victims (plaintiff) and the company (defendant). Unlike a trial verdict, which either party can appeal, once a plaintiff accepts a settlement offer, it is binding, giving many claimants a secure and relatively quick route to the compensation they need.

Key Requirements to File

• Diagnosis: Claimants must have a diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness (such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis) OR proof of a wrongful death from an asbestos-related illness. 
• Proof of exposure: Claimants must have documentation linking the victim’s illness to asbestos exposure from 3M through employment or use of their products. 
• Statute of limitations: Potential claimants have a limited time to file a claim. Deadlines vary by state, with most averaging just two to three years, so it’s critical to move quickly.

Notable Lawsuits Against 3M

Asbestos lawsuits against 3M generally fall into two categories. The first are filed by people exposed to asbestos through the use of a 3M product or at a 3M facility where asbestos was present. 

The secondary category stems from people exposed to asbestos while wearing a 3M protective mask. Marketing for these masks claimed they could protect users from toxic dust. However, the masks were inadequate protection against asbestos particles.

If you or a loved one has developed an asbestos-related disease due to asbestos exposure from 3M’s products or activities, we can help you get a free case assessment. Reach out today.

3M’s History With Asbestos Exposure

After discovering anorthosite deposits while searching for other minerals, 3M rapidly pivoted to manufacturing. It began selling asbestos products in the 1930s and continued using them until the 1980s, when federal regulations and rising litigation prompted the company to phase them out. 

Like many asbestos companies, 3M continued to use asbestos even after it was clear that it presented a serious health risk to both employees and end users. Even worse, they began manufacturing face masks that they falsely claimed protected users against asbestos, endangering everyone who trusted in these products.  

Due to the continued popularity of 3M products, the company has employed hundreds of thousands of workers since its formation. Today, 3M holds over 100,000 patents, and its current product range includes over 60,000 individual items.

Contact Us for a Free Case Assessment

3M endangered the lives of tens of thousands of workers. Not only did they use asbestos to manufacture their products, but they also sold protective equipment falsely claiming to protect against asbestos exposure. 

Because the company has not established an asbestos trust fund, the only way for victims of 3M asbestos exposure to recover compensation is to file an asbestos personal injury lawsuit. 

Partnering with an experienced asbestos attorney is essential if you want to pursue maximum compensation with minimal stress. At Meirowitz & Wasserberg, their asbestos litigation experts provide a free initial consultation to review your case and explore your options.

You deserve access to the resources, expertise, and dedication needed to give your case the strongest chance of success. With a proven track record of securing asbestos settlements exceeding $1 million, Meirowitz & Wasserberg is committed to helping you achieve justice and compensation.

If you or someone you love has been injured by 3M asbestos exposure, contact us today for a free consultation. We want to help you determine your eligibility and learn more about your case for free.

Written & Legally Reviewed By

Samuel Meirowitz Esq. Attorney and On-Site Legal Advocate

Samuel Meirowitz is a member of the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers.” Mr. Meirowitz was named a “Rising Star” in 2013 & 2014 by Super Lawyers and then a Super Lawyer every year since 2016. In 2013, Mr. Meirowitz obtained what is believed to be the first multi-million-dollar asbestos verdict seen in more than two decades in a New York federal court. In that highly contentious matter, Mr. Meirowitz was able to convince the jury to hold a boiler manufacturer responsible for 60 percent of the $3.8 million awarded, despite the defendant’s attempt to escape all blame by pointing fingers at the plaintiff’s employer and the U.S. Navy (in which the plaintiff admirably served from 1966-70 during the Vietnam conflict). This verdict was upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

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