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What’s the Problem?
Military service can pose many significant risks to soldiers’ health and safety. In particular, persistent loud noises could lead to hearing loss and deafness.
Between 2003 and 2015, the 3M Company sold the U.S. Department of Defense millions of earplugs that did not fit securely into users’ ears and failed to properly protect soldiers from noises like gunfire, explosions, and heavy equipment.
As a result, service members have developed severe hearing-related injuries, including temporary or permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, and even total deafness.
What are 3M Earplug Lawsuits Alleging?
To date, more than 260,000 lawsuits have been filed alleging that 3M and its Aearo Technologies subsidiary knew about the dangers of their Combat Arms Earplugs as early as 2000 – at least 3 years before they sold the earplugs to the Defense Logistics Agency.
These complaints further allege that 3M and Aearo manipulated test results to make it appear that the earplugs met government standards. Filings also allege that the companies continued to submit false claims about the effectiveness of their Combat Arms Earplugs in subsequent years to maintain their status as the exclusive supplier of military issue hearing protection.
Related Article: 3M Earplug Lawsuit Update
Hearing Loss Symptoms
According to the Department of Defense, symptoms of combat-related hearing problems may include:
- Difficulty hearing someone talking 3 feet away
- Difficulty understanding what people are saying
- Buzzing or ringing in the ears
- A feeling of “fullness” in the ears after leaving a noisy area, such as a concert venue
3M Earplug Whistleblower Lawsuit
In 2018, 3M agreed to pay the Federal Government $9.1 million to resolve a whistleblower lawsuit that was filed under the False Claims Act. As part of the agreement, 3M did not have to admit any wrongdoing. In fact, the company maintained that the payment was simply a good-faith measure to avoid public-relations problems and legal battles in the future.
Related Article: How to Qualify for a 3M Lawsuit?
What Compensation Could I Be Awarded?
If you suffered from any form of hearing loss or tinnitus after using 3M Combat Arms Earplugs, you may qualify to file a 3M hearing protection lawsuit against the manufacturer. 3M lawsuits allege that these earplugs were defective and that the company failed to adequately warn consumers about potential health risks, leading to severe hearing injuries in hundreds of thousands of military veterans and current service members.
If you served in any branch of the U.S. military between 2000 and the present, used 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2) during your service, and developed a hearing injury, you have the right to file a lawsuit against 3M. You could recover compensation to help pay for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Disability accommodations
- Permanent disability
- Chronic pain
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
3M Earplug Lawsuit Settlement Amounts
To date, there haven’t been any approved 3M lawsuit payout amounts for the 260,000+ lawsuits pending in multidistrict litigation in the Northern District of Florida. After several months of delays, settlement talks resumed in May 2023.
Some lawyers estimate that 3M earplug lawsuit settlement amounts could be anywhere from $5,000 to $250,000 per plaintiff, depending on the damages alleged. So far, 3M has spent over $450 million defending itself against these lawsuits.
3M has lost 10 of the 16 bellwether trials that have reached court so far. Juries awarded more than $250 million to plaintiffs in these trials. Analysts speculate that these lawsuits could cost 3M billions of dollars to resolve, according to Bloomberg.
FAQs
Are there any costs associated with filing a 3M earplug lawsuit?
Many attorneys work on a contingency fee basis for 3M earplug lawsuits, meaning you only pay if you win your case. This arrangement allows you to pursue justice without upfront legal fees.
Can I join a class-action lawsuit for the 3M earplug case?
While some 3M earplug cases may be part of a class-action lawsuit, many are handled individually due to the specific nature of each claim. An attorney can advise you on the best approach for your situation.
What are the long-term effects of using defective 3M earplugs?
Long-term effects of using defective 3M earplugs can include chronic hearing loss, tinnitus, and related psychological impacts such as anxiety and depression. These effects can significantly affect quality of life.
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