3M Wins Appeal in Respirator Case; Mississippi Supreme Court Overturns Verdict

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 2005--3M announced today that the Supreme Court of Mississippi overturned today a $22.5 million verdict against 3M in an asbestos-related case involving two of its respiratory products. These safety products did not contain asbestos. The case was originally filed in April 2000 and was tried in October 2001 in the Circuit Court of Holmes County, Miss. The Supreme Court's decision concludes this case.

With this victory, 3M has prevailed in seven of seven cases involving its respiratory products taken to trial. 3M won jury verdicts in six of these cases.

The Mississippi Supreme Court's reversal of the jury's adverse verdict will not affect 3M's earnings or reserves.

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