Many United States servicemembers, veterans and military contractors are filing lawsuits against 3M for hearing-related ear injuries caused by defective military earplugs. Between 2001 and 2016, 3M’s Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2) were the military’s standard issue for combat situations.
It is estimated that more than two million pairs of CAEv2s were manufactured and issued to the U.S. military. Designed with dual-sided protection, in combat situations, their purpose was to minimize loud, combat-related noises and allow the user to hear low-grade sounds. However, the earplugs were too short, a design flaw that made them susceptible to loosen in the user’s ears. Many servicemembers suffered hearing loss caused by the earplugs’ ineffective protection.
These lawsuits come after 3M settled allegations in a False Claims Act brought by the United States government for $9.1 million in July 2018. The government claimed that 3M knowingly sold them defective military earplugs, keeping their design defect undisclosed for more than a decade.
This settlement does not cover damages for the military personnel and contractors who were injured wearing these earplugs. In a quotation to Ask The Lawyers, Colson Hicks Eidson attorney, Mike Eidson, said, “Our men and women in uniform have a right to sue 3M for the damages to their health caused by these earplugs.”
Do I Have a Viable Claim for a 3M Lawsuit?
It is unknown how many servicemembers, veterans and military contractors have been injured by these earplugs. Because they were military issue for more than 10 years, it is likely that many military personnel and contractors suffered hearing-related ear injuries from their lack of protection.
If you are United States military personnel, a veteran or military contractor who used military-issue, combat earplugs between 2001 and 2016 and have been diagnosed with or suffer from hearing-related ear injuries, you may be entitled to compensation.
Our Product Liability Lawyers Represent 3M Earplug Cases Nationwide
The product liability lawyers at Colson Hicks Eidson have decades of experience and success handling defective product claims against large corporations. We have recovered more than one billion dollars for our clients nationwide in settlements and verdicts.
If you believe you have a claim against 3M, please contact our Miami personal injury attorneys at 305-476-7400 or fill out on an online case review form. We provide free case evaluations and can help you understand your best legal options based on your specific situation.
