3M Settlement
If you’re suffering from hearing loss as a result of using a particular 3M Combat Earplug product, you may be aware that there are a number of claims that have been filed against the manufacturer by victims. Many people were injured after using the defective 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 which were the exclusive earplugs provided by the U.S. military to service members who served overseas anytime from 2003 until 2015. Injuries range from serious hearing loss to deafness. Wieand Law Firm, LLC represents those who were injured in this way. Our legal team can help you and your family seek a settlement from 3M to compensate you for your damages. Call us today to learn more about 3M Combat Earplug hearing loss claims and if this is an option for you.
What is the focus of the pending 3M Combat Earplug hearing loss claims?
Many individuals wish to recover the damage they have suffered as a result of having used the 3M Combat Earplugs, and have engaged in litigation toward this end. In 2017, the Veterans Administration reported 159,800 claims of tinnitus, and 81,529 of hearing loss. Many of these cases may have been a direct result of having used the defective 3M Combat Earplugs. In fact, though 3M has not taken responsibility for wearers suffering hearing injuries, and may never do so, they did agree to pay a $9.1 million settlement after admitting that they knew the earplugs were defective.
The focus of the 3M Combat Earplug hearing loss claims filed by injury victims is to force 3M to take responsibility for not having disclosed their knowledge and understanding of the defective nature of the earplugs. Though the manufacturer had this information for more than ten years, they did nothing to address the defects and in this way, they allowed thousands of users to wear a product that did not protect their hearing.
In what ways was the 3M Combat Earplug defective?
The 3M Combat Earplug was originally designed and manufactured by Aearo Technologies, Inc. In 2008, the company was acquired by 3M Company. This particular earplug was intended to satisfy two separate hearing protection demands of the user:
- Completely block out weapons-fire protection: high-level impulsive noise such as gunfire, explosions, engine noise, and other intensely loud sounds. This end of the earplugs was olive green.
- A reduction of intensely loud sounds, but allowing spoken communication to be heard by the wearer. This end of the earplugs was yellow.
The defective nature of the earplugs is such that they were not designed in such a way as to fit inside the ear canal properly. Instead, they loosened without the wearer realizing, and the loose fit allowed damaging sounds to pass through. A whistleblower came forward and filed a claim against 3M Company, alleging that they were aware of the defective nature of the earplugs. The manufacturer did acknowledge the truth of this, and further admitted that the original manufacturer of the earplugs, Aearo Technologies, Inc. had also known this.
If you wore the 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 and have suffered hearing loss since that time, contact our office. You may be eligible one of the 3M Combat Earplug hearing loss claims that will soon be brought against the company—do not delay in requesting a free consultation with our legal team.
