3M Earplugs Lawsuit

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3M knowingly sold earplugs to the U.S. military that were defective and did not provide full protection for soldiers. Troops who were deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq and were issued 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs have the right to bring this manufacturer to court and use the full extent of the law to win compensation for their pain and suffering.

Contact The Guardian Legal Network to find a qualified law firm that can guide you through the legal process.

3M Sold Defective Military Earplugs

3M has been accused of manufacturing and selling these earplugs even after becoming aware that they were defective. In fact, the first manufacturer of these earplugs, Aearo Technologies, Inc., was aware of these design defects as early as 2000. This means that 3M also knew about these defects when they purchased Aearo Technologies.

In 2018, 3M was forced to pay a total of $9.1 million to the government in order to resolve the issue. However, even after doing so, 3M has failed to admit to any kind of wrongdoing. They have also continued to reject all claims of liability in this matter.

3M has also been accused of manipulating test results of these earplugs in order to defraud the U.S. government. A company called Moldex-Metric initiated the whistleblower lawsuit against 3M. As a result of starting this lawsuit, Moldex-Metric is now entitled to receive $1.9 million of the total $9.1 million settlement that 3M has been forced to pay. This is a serious setback for the company but not one that they are willing to take any kind of responsibility for.

Side Effects of 3M Military Earplugs

People who used these defective 3M combat earplugs have reported suffering from a variety of hearing-related issues. These side effects include tinnitus, which causes symptoms such as:

Ringing in the ears
High pitched whistling
Clicking sounds
Non-stop buzzing, getting louder or softer but never entirely disappearing
Roaring that refuses to stop

Users also experienced other issues that include partial or total hearing loss. This condition is a major concern for U.S. military personnel and can be long-term or even permanent.

Hearing Loss Caused by 3M Military Earplugs

The most common health disability for military personnel and the third most common for U.S. citizens is hearing loss. It is essential to follow hearing damage prevention techniques such as wearing ear protection. Hundreds of brave U.S. troops were given earplugs for this very reason but were lied to by the manufacturing company. 3M’s military earplugs could potentially be responsible for thousands of soldiers and veterans’ hearing damage cases.

This condition will worsen as time goes on, and it will become increasingly difficult to hear others speak. A person experiencing hearing loss may suddenly become sensitive to normal volume levels and begin to hear ringing in the ears. The ability to hear correctly will gradually fade away.

File a 3M Earplugs Lawsuit

If you were issued these defective combat earplugs and have experienced tinnitus or hearing loss, you deserve to be fully compensated for your suffering. It is common to have accumulated a serious amount of medical bills while seeking treatment for your condition.

Members of the United States armed forces need to be in peak physical condition to perform the tasks that they have been assigned. If you were forced to leave the armed forces because of your hearing loss, you deserve full compensation. If you have had trouble finding employment because of your hearing impairment, you also deserve to be compensated for your loss of income. Since 3M was the corporation that caused your hardship in the first place, they should be the ones held accountable.

There is no reason why you should have to deal with these financial losses when it was not your fault that you were harmed by using these earplugs. To take legal action against 3M, find an attorney to help you file a claim for financial compensation. An attorney can help you file a claim against the 3M corporation that sold the defective combat earplugs that were issued to you.

Find a 3M Military Earplugs Lawyer

If you have been negatively affected by defective 3M military earplugs, you are not alone. Thousands of veterans all across the country have filed lawsuits for damages. You can file a personal claim with the help of an experienced 3M earplugs lawyer. A skilled lawyer on your side can help you win the full amount of the damages you need to cover your bills and get your life back on track. This is your chance to get the settlement you deserve for your pain, suffering, and financial losses.

Contact The Guardian Legal Network today to get connected to a product liability lawyer. Fill out an online contact form or give us a call at (855) 967-0727.

References

Department of Justice. “3M Company Agrees to Pay $9.1 Million to Resolve Allegations That it Supplied the United States With Defective Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs”, Department of Justice, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/3m-company-agrees-pay-91-million-resolve-allegations-it-supplied-united-states-defective-dual. Accessed January 18, 2021.
Mayo Clinic. “Tinnitus”, Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350156. Accessed January 18, 2021.
Military.com. “Tinnitus is Number One Disability For Veterans”, Militray.com, https://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/tinnitus-is-number-one-disability-for-veterans.html. Accessed January 18, 2021.
WebMD. “Hearing Loss”, WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hearing-loss-causes-symptoms-treatment#1. Accessed January 18, 2021.
WILL MORRIS. “Contractor settles for $9.1 million after providing defective earplugs for servicemembers”, STARS AND STRIPES, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-3m-defense-earplugs/3m-to-pay-9-1-million-over-defective-military-ear-plugs-idUSKBN1L21P3. Accessed January 18, 2021.