3M Hearing Loss Claims
Our office currently represents hundreds of individuals who have suffered hearing loss due to the use of defective earplugs manufactured by 3M Company.
3M Company is a multinational conglomerate that is headquartered in the United States. The company produces a wide range of products, including earplugs. In 2003, the United States military began purchasing earplugs from 3M to distribute to service members. The type of earplugs at issue are the dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEV2). These earplugs were designed to provide two levels of protection. When inserted one way, the earplugs were supposed to block out all noise. When inserted the other way, they were supposed to block out loud noises but still allow the wearer to hear speech and other low-level sounds.
Unfortunately, the earplugs were too short and did not fit properly in the ear canal. This allowed loud noises to enter, causing hearing loss and tinnitus in many service members. The defect was not immediately apparent, as the earplugs looked and felt like they were working properly.
The CAEV2 earplugs were used extensively by service members in Iraq and Afghanistan, where they were exposed to loud noises on a daily basis. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of service members were issued these earplugs during their time in the military. Currently more than 250,000 claims have been filed in the Multi-District Litigation case involving these claims. The earplugs were designed to protect service members from loud noises, such as explosions and gunfire, while still allowing them to hear important commands.
Defective Earplugs
It was later discovered that the earplugs were defective and did not provide the necessary protection. The earplugs were too short and did not fit properly in the ear canal, which allowed loud noises to enter. This caused many service members to suffer hearing loss and tinnitus, a condition that causes ringing in the ears.
Lawsuits
As a result of the defective earplugs, a series of lawsuits have been filed against 3M Company. Many of these lawsuits have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation, which is currently underway in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. The lawsuits allege that 3M Company knew about the defects in the earplugs but failed to warn the military and the public.
Verdicts from the Trials
There have been several verdicts in lawsuits related to 3M's earplugs and their alleged link to hearing loss. Here are some notable examples:
In April 2021, a federal jury in Florida awarded $7.1 million to three military veterans who claimed that 3M's earplugs were defective and caused them to suffer hearing loss and tinnitus. The jury found that 3M was liable for design defects and failure to warn.
In July 2021, a federal jury awarded $1.7 million to a military veteran who claimed that 3M's earplugs were defective and caused him to suffer hearing loss and tinnitus. The jury found that 3M was liable for design defects, failure to warn, and negligence.
In November 2021, a federal jury awarded $70 million to a group of military veterans who claimed that 3M's earplugs were defective and caused them to suffer hearing loss and tinnitus. The jury found that 3M was liable for design defects, failure to warn, and negligence.
Prior to these verdicts for individuals, in July 2018, 3M agreed to pay $9.1 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice alleging that the company knowingly sold defective earplugs to the military. In April 2021, 3M agreed to pay $36 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the attorney general of Indiana over the same issue.
Who Can File a Suit?
Individuals who may be eligible to file a claim in the 3M hearing loss lawsuit are those who served in the U.S. military between 2003 and 2015 and used the 3M Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2) during their service. These earplugs were standard issue for many military service members during that time period. This includes both active-duty service members and veterans. If you believe that you have suffered hearing loss due to the use of 3M earplugs, you should contact us as soon as possible. An attorney can help you determine if you have a case and can guide you through the legal process.