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3M Earplug Lawsuit
People who have suffered from hearing loss after using 3M earplugs may be eligible for significant compensation
YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION
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Have you been diagnosed with...
Hearing Loss
Tinnitus
Loss of Balance
...after using 3M Dual-End Combat Arms Earplugs?
ABOUT THE CASE
What are 3M Earplugs?
The 3M Company is an American multinational conglomerate corporation that serves a variety of industry needs with consumer goods and products designed for worker safety and healthcare operations. 3M is currently a leading provider of products designed to serve and protect military professionals in combat. This includes their signature combat earplugs, which are intended to preserve the sensitive ear from the excessive volume of wartime activity, with explosions in particular. Exposure to the volume of this magnitude can cause severe damage to the functions of the ear, and protection against these damages are a priority for military professionals.
Perfect product design is imperative to avoid permanent damage to the inner ear. The unique dual-ended earplug design from 3M allows users to wear the plugs two ways: either traditionally, blocking out all noise, or by flipping the earplug to an “open” position, which allows quieter noises like speech to pass through while still dissipating explosion sounds.
What is the Problem?
Thousands of claims have been made that hearing loss, tinnitus, and loss of balance are due to defective product design. It is believed that the earplugs sold to the Defense Logistics Agency by 3M and its predecessor Aearo Technologies Inc. were too short to properly create an airtight seal when inserted into a user’s ears. This design flaw allows the sound waves from the loud noises to slip through, oftentimes without the user realizing. Testing conducted by 3M revealed the earplugs to be defective, yet the company produced false certifications of military standards.
Not only were 3M’s products defective, they were the only standard equipment on the market. 3M implemented patent infringement litigation in 2012, preventing other earplug manufacturers from selling their products to the military.
As a result of 3M’s gross negligence, many veterans have reported hearing loss, tinnitus (the perception of noise or “ringing” in the ears, and loss of balance. These damages are permanent and can severely affect one’s quality of life. The inner ear is a highly vulnerable structure and can experience damage from both a single exposure to an intense impulse of sound or through long-term continuous exposure.
TAKE LEGAL ACTION
In July 2018, 3M agreed to pay $9.1 million to settle a dispute made under the False Claims Act, accusing the company of knowingly selling its earplugs without disclosing the defects that compromised the hearing protection. According to the claim, Aearo was aware of the defect from as early as 2000. Since that settlement, veterans suffering from damages caused by these products are still seeking justice. While 3M discontinued the product in 2015, the defective products were never recalled and may still be used by the military today. Many veterans have suffered and will continue to suffer. If you or a loved one have experienced hearing damage as a result of 3M’s defective earplugs, you may be eligible for significant compensation. The fight is far from over.
URGENT: There is limited time to file your claim!
Call +1(855) 929-0005 to discuss your claim.
If you suffer from hearing loss after using 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs, you may be entitled to a significant settlement claim.
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