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What's the Problem With 3M Combat Arms Earplugs?
3M manufactured a line of special earplugs for use by U.S. military personnel, known as Combat Arms Earplugs, which were designed to protect armed soldiers from noises such as gunshots, explosions, and loud machinery.
However, it was later found that these earplugs could loosen just slightly enough to let damaging levels of noise in the user's ear canal, resulting in hearing loss and tinnitus. It is alleged that 3M knew about these defects as early as 2000, yet sold them to the military from 2003-2015 nonetheless.
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3M Paid Out $9.1 Million to Settle Earplug Whistleblower Lawsuit
According to a whistleblower lawsuit filed by the United States Government against 3M, the company knowingly sold defective earplugs to the military. Originally designed by Aearo Technologies, 3M hired Aearo employees who developed and tested the Combat Arms Earplugs after 3M bought the company out in 2008.
A government probe revealed that Aearo knew about the problems with the earplugs as early as 2000, years before 3M became the exclusive provider of earplugs to the U.S. military.
It is important to understand that the $9.1 million settlement does not provide compensation for injured service members or vets and that those who were injured by 3M Combat earplugs will need to file their lawsuits in order to seek compensation for their injuries.
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Dangers of Defective 3M Earplugs
If you’re wearing earplugs to protect your ears from loud noises, you expect them to work without thinking about it, and this is how to check if you qualify for the 3M lawsuit. The defective 3M Combat Arms Earplugs have injured thousands of veterans, current service personnel, and military contractors in the following ways:
- Hearing damage
- Temporary hearing loss
- Permanent hearing loss
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Deafness
- Vertigo (loss of balance)
Any of these conditions may put victims out of a job and affect the quality of their lives and their family members.
The Consequences of Hearing Loss
Depression and anxiety are common symptoms in veterans who suffer hearing loss from defective 3M earplugs, and these 2 conditions can hurt their quality of life.
Join the thousands of Veterans and Active military service men and women who are actively seeking compensation for their pain and suffering from 3M for providing faulty earplugs that put countless military personnel's hearing at risk.
The product liability lawyers at Schmidt & Clark, LLP, are pleased to help our service members demand just compensation for their injuries. Fill out the form below for a free, no-obligation legal consultation.
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What to Do if You've Been Injured
If you or a loved one suffered any of the above health complications after wearing defective 3M Combat Arms Earplugs, you may be wanting to learn more about your legal rights. It’s important to understand that because the faulty earplugs were knowingly distributed by 3M, the company is guilty of negligence.
This means that you could be eligible for the costs of medical expenses relating to your hearing loss. You may also be eligible to receive compensation for your loss of wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Contact a 3M Earplug Lawyer in Delaware who is knowledgeable and experienced to fight for the compensation you deserve.
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How Long Will a 3M Combat Arms Earplug Lawsuit Take?
It depends. Some lawsuits and settlements can be quick and resolved in as little as 1 year, but some complaints take 2 or more years, especially those dealing with many thousands of plaintiffs.
Because our Delaware lawyers anticipate there will be a significant number of injured combat veterans,
the 3M Combat Arms Earplug litigation may take several years. However, our firm is dedicated to recovering the maximum compensation to which our clients are entitled, no matter how long it takes.
FAQs
1. What Is the Delaware 3M Earplug Lawsuit About?
The Delaware 3M earplug lawsuit involves claims that 3M earplugs were defective and failed to protect military personnel from hearing loss, leading to significant auditory injuries.
2. Who Can File a Claim in the Delaware 3M Earplug Lawsuit?
Military personnel who used 3M earplugs and experienced hearing loss or tinnitus due to the defective design may be eligible to file a claim in the Delaware lawsuit.
3. What Types of Injuries Are Related to the 3M Earplugs in the Delaware Lawsuit?
Injuries include hearing loss, tinnitus, and other auditory damages resulting from the failure of 3M earplugs to adequately protect users from high noise levels.
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