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North Carolina 3M Earplug Lawsuit Attorney

Have you suffered from hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears) after serving in any branch of the U.S. military from 2003 to 2015? If so, you may have been injured by defective 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2), which were issued to hundreds of thousands of military service members.
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C.L. Mike Schmidt Published by C.L. Mike Schmidt

What's the Problem?

In July 2018, 3M agreed to pay $9.1 million to settle a False Claims Act lawsuit which alleged that the company knowingly supplied the U.S. military with defective Combat Arms Earplugs. Additionally, the suit claimed that 3M failed to disclose that the earplugs could loosen without the user realizing it, allowing hearing damage and tinnitus to occur in hundreds of thousands of military service members between 2003 and 2015.

3M Earplugs Side Effects

Hearing loss is a serious risk to military service members, as dangerous noise exposure is a daily occurrence in their line of work. Most cases of hearing loss and tinnitus are caused by damage to the delicate hairs in the inner ear (cilia) due to loud noises. Hearing loss can occur gradually over time, or after a one-time exposure to high-intensity noise, such as gunshots or explosions.

Common signs and symptoms of hearing loss include:

  • Buzzing, ringing, or whistling in the ears
  • Difficulty understanding conversations
  • Consistently having to ask people around you to speak up or repeat themselves
  • Sensitivity to sounds
  • Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds
  • Turning up the volume of the radio or TV to uncomfortable levels in order to hear

If you are a veteran or current military service member and have experienced any of the above symptoms, you may be suffering from hearing loss or tinnitus. This is why it's important to seek immediate medical attention and be properly diagnosed and treated for hearing damage.

Read AlsoHow Much Money Are Veterans Getting for the 3M Lawsuit?

You Fought For Us - Let Us Fight For You

North Carolina has one of the largest military footprints of any state in America. Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C., is the largest U.S. Army base in the world. Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro is a major Air Combat Command base, and the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base in Jacksonville has several combat units, and support commands, and is known as the home of “Expeditionary Forces in Readiness.”

While every client is important to us, our brave military veterans deserve an exceptional level of honor and respect. While you were taking care of the country and protecting our rights, 3M may have taken advantage of you. We won’t stand for that and neither should you.

The lawyers at Schmidt & Clark, LLP, are investigating potential claims over 3M Dual-ended Combat Arms earplugs (CAEv2).

Related Article3M Earplug Lawsuit Update

3M Earplug Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)

Over the past several years, a growing number of plaintiffs have filed lawsuits against 3M over the Combat Arms earplugs, with their cases eventually being consolidated into a multidistrict litigation, or MDL, in the Northern District of Florida.

An MDL is created when a large number of lawsuits are filed in courts across the U.S. against a single defendant, with common questions of fact. MDLs are designed to increase judicial efficiency by centralizing the litigation process.

As of July 2023, there were more than 300,000 claims pending against 3M in the MDL. The central allegation of the lawsuits is that 3M produced and sold defective Combat Arms earplugs, which caused wearers to develop hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

What Compensation Could I Be Awarded?

The lawyers at Schmidt & Clark are investigating claims related to the use of defective 3M earplugs and the subsequent development of hearing loss and tinnitus reported by U.S. military veterans and current service members. Individuals who were diagnosed with either of these conditions after using the defective earplugs may be eligible to file a lawsuit against 3M and to recover a 3M compensation payout for:

FAQs

What evidence is needed for a 3M earplug lawsuit?
Evidence needed includes military service records, medical records documenting hearing loss or tinnitus, and proof of using the 3M Combat Arms Earplugs. Detailed documentation can strengthen your case.

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.

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