The 3M Earplug Lawsuits -
Where Are We After 11 Big Trials?
In the U.S., we’re proud of our military. We thank our veterans and active-duty service members, we offer them long-term care and benefits through the VA, and we like to think that we provide the best possible training before sending them off to war. Unfortunately, the debacle with 3M’s earplugs raises questions about how well we protect our troops while they serve.
3M’s Defective Earplugs
Right now, 3M is facing the largest consolidated federal mass tort case in U.S. history, and it keeps growing. At issue are earplugs manufactured by 3M and provided to service members by the U.S. Army from 2003 to 2015. The Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2, had design flaws that 3M tried to hide by falsifying test results, and they didn’t provide complete instructions to troops using them.
U.S. Government Settles with 3M
The U.S. government settled with 3M in 2018 after allegations that 3M knew its earplugs were defective before selling them to the Army. An anonymous whistleblower used the qui tam provision of the False Claims Act to initiate the claim against 3M. Eventually, the company agreed to pay the U.S. government $9.1 million. The government’s settlement with 3M was a good first step, but it didn’t help the veterans and active-duty service members with hearing damage and hearing loss resulting from using the defective earplug. Hundreds of thousands of lawsuits followed.
Updates on the Lawsuits Verdicts So Far
After 11 big trials, all in Florida, the verdicts have been mixed. Six juries have sided with the plaintiffs, awarding monetary damages ranging from $1.7 million to $110 million. However, five juries sided with the 3M defendants. 3M still faces more than 280,000 plaintiffs in consolidated cases and is appealing verdicts against it. However, juries have already awarded plaintiffs
more than $160 million
in compensatory and punitive damages so far. That means it’s unlikely almost 300,000 claims against 3M will go away anytime soon.
You Need Experienced Legal Guidance
If you have hearing loss or tinnitus after using the Combat Arms Earplugs Version2 (CAEV2), the experienced attorneys at the Madeksho Law Firm may be able to help get you compensation.
This is not a lawsuit against the military or the government.
Call us at 1-888-910-6376 or fill out our online form. Your consultation is free, and you won’t pay any fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
