Veterans and active duty military members who were issued defective 3M Combat Arms Earplugs between 2002 and 2015 may have been at risk of developing serious hearing problems.
Need a Texas 3M Earplug Class Action Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears), you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
UPDATE: 3M Agrees to Pay $6 Billion Settlement
In August 2023, 3M agreed to pay a $6 billion settlement that will end more than 260,000 claims from military members who lost their hearing or suffered tinnitus (ringing in the ears) despite using the company’s earplugs.
3M Military Earplug Lawsuit
Instead of a class action, lawsuits involving hearing loss from 3M’s military earplugs are centralized in Multidistrict Litigation (MDL No. 2885) – 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Products Liability Litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. By May 2021, around 240,000 people had registered to claim they suffered hearing loss and/or tinnitus.
3M Pays $9 Million Earplugs Settlement
In July 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice and 3M agreed to a $9.1 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit accusing 3M of selling defective earplugs to the military for years.
Lawsuit Claims 3M Military Earplugs Were Defective
Lawyers claimed that 3M and the company that invented the earplugs, Aearo Technolgies Inc., were aware as early as 2000 that the Combat Arms Earplugs version 2 (CAEv2) were too short to achieve a proper fit in the ear canal of some users.
Defective Earplugs Can Loosen
Poorly-fitting earplugs can loosen without the user realizing it, resulting in dangerous noises entering the ear canal and causing serious damage to their hearing.
Hearing Loss in the Military
Military training and active duty service is one of the most common causes of long-term hearing loss. It is typically caused by exposure to dangerous levels of noise from firearms, explosions, jet engines, roadside bombs, or machinery.
What is the Risk?
People who develop tinnitus may have trouble concentrating or sleeping due to the constant ringing in their ears. Hearing loss can also exacerbate depression, mental health issues, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is especially likely if hearing loss makes it difficult to engage in conversations or maintain social relationships.
Disability Benefits for Hearing Loss
Over 2.7 million veterans get disability benefits for hearing loss, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Noise-induced hearing loss is a permanent disability that can make it difficult to find employment, perform many jobs, or go to school to learn new skills.
What is the problem?
Defective earplugs were issued to thousands of veterans and active-duty military members. Instead of a class action, our law firm is filing individual lawsuits for people who were issued 3M Combat Arms Earplugs v2 between 2002 and 2015 and suffered hearing problems.
Military Hearing Loss Lawsuits
You or a loved one may be eligible to join a lawsuit if you were issued 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2) and developed any of the following side effects:
- Deafness
- Hearing loss
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Other hearing problems
About Class Actions
Class actions are helpful for people who have similar legal claims, such as seeking a refund after purchasing a bad product. Everyone in the class action typically shares the payout after lawyers take a percentage. However, class actions have disadvantages when individuals have very serious injuries with long-term health problems.
Why Our Lawyers are Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Class Action
Instead of a class action, our lawyers are filing individual lawsuits against 3M so we can focus on helping people with the most serious injuries seek compensation for medical expenses, disability, lost wages or future earning potential, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
Need a 3M Earplug Class Action Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.
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