Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing

The Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company (today known as 3M) manufactured various asbestos-containing products over the years, including adhesive and caulk. The company later faced countless asbestos lawsuits and continues to be involved in asbestos litigation.

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing first began as a mining company at the start of the 20th century. The operation continued to be met with financial difficulties during its beginnings. Several years later, the company moved its headquarters to Duluth, which led to larger debt. While in Duluth, the company focused on producing sandpaper.

Following a second relocation to St. Paul in 1910, the company began to turn a profit. In 1914, Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing released Three-M-ite, a type of sandpaper. The company’s success was later supported by the onset of World War I. In 1916, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing became a public corporation.

Over the subsequent decades, the company diversified its offering with various types of tape and sandpaper. These products led to future expansion in the company and also denoted the start of the company’s asbestos use. Minnesota Mining has been shown to have placed asbestos in its products from the 1930s to the 1980s.

In 2002, the Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing company became known as 3M. The company has grown substantially in popularity. During this period, the company entered the personal protective equipment industry and began producing masks and ventilators, which were used by workers completing jobs.

Minnesota Mining (and later 3M) manufactured various products known to contain asbestos. Some of these products include:

• Adhesives
• Caulk
• Cement
• Dust masks
• Greenlite powder
• Head protective rolls
• Sandpaper
• Sealers

Due to these products, countless workers at Minnesota Mining and 3M were exposed to asbestos without realizing it. Commonly exposed workers include carpenters, engineers, mechanics, and plumbers. Countless consumers were also exposed to asbestos through their use of these products.

Minnesota Mining has been involved in many lawsuits due to its asbestos use. In 2002, the company celebrated the change of its name and was involved in approximately 20,000 asbestos-related lawsuits that addressed 85,000 claimants. The company’s average amount of compensation awarded to claimants at this time was below $1,000. Some of the lawsuits in which the company was involved include:

• A worker developed a type of mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure caused by the result of 3M’s masks. The worker was later awarded $5 million.
• A worker developed mild-asbestosis after he inhaled fibers from asbestos while wearing a 3M mask. The worker was later awarded over $6 million.
• A worker developed mild-pleural thickening after his time spent working on ship building. The worker was awarded $5 million.
• A worker developed asbestosis after he wore a 3M mask and respirator. The worker was awarded over $6 million.

Following a mesothelioma diagnosis, it can be confusing to decide how to proceed. One of the best things that you can do in such a situation is to promptly contact an experienced lawyer. Do not hesitate to contact the Throneberry Law Group today by calling (888) 506-1131 to schedule a free case evaluation.