Our law firm is actively assessing claims where the two veterans and personnel who are on duty have suffered severe hearing damage after they wore faulty Version 2 — CAEv2, 3M Combat Arms Earplugs. If you’ve also used these 3M earplugs while you served at the U.S. army anywhere between 2003 to 2015, you’re possibly eligible to file an Atlanta 3M earplug lawsuit for reimbursement.
Minnesota based, 3M Company provided the United States army with these specially designed earplugs. They were mainly used during combat to protect the hearing of soldiers in the area. 3M designed the earplugs to just block out blasts, along with other extremely deafening noises when they were running tests on the foundations as well. On the other hand, the earplugs were supposed to ensure that the soldiers could still hear anyone who spoke to them.
That said, 3M failed to inform the U.S. government a range of the earplugs were faulty. Due to this, users could suffer from partial or complete hearing loss since they served in the army. As such, our proficient class action attorneys feel that both veterans and active-duty employees ought to be paid for this disservice.
Why Are 3M Earplugs Believed To Cause Harm?
Military personnel who served in regions of high conflict such as Afghanistan and Iraq used the 3M product in question during the period between 2003 to 2015. As a result, this might have caused complete hearing loss, partial hearing loss, or tinnitus. 3M designed the earplugs to allow free communication between soldiers while shielding against loud sounds and explosions. The earplugs were designed by Aearo Tech and were acquired in 2008 by 3M.
It was just after 10 years that someone stepped forward and warned about the flaws of the plan. After investigations, it was found out that 3M paid $9.1 million into the federal government to be able to solve any allegations. This was done to pay even though 3M provided the product while being fully conscious of design flaws. On a lighter note, these earplugs are discontinued.
How Do These Earplugs Cause Harm?
The earplugs had an alleged flaw that was centered around their symmetrical layout. The fitting instructions provided could have led to the earplugs becoming loosened and readily allowing sound to get in. This was the main cause of the hearing damages that occurred and users afterward experienced total hearing loss, partial hearing loss, and a ringing in their ears.
How Do You File A 3M Earplug Lawsuit?
If you’re interested in submitting a lawsuit, you must first be identified with tinnitus by a medical professional. You should have also been discharged by the U.S. military or have a loss of hearing impairment rating based on the United States Department of Veteran Affairs. Additionally, you should have also functioned from 2003 to 2015. Veterans and active personnel could be reimbursed if they match the criteria.
Which Are The Earplugs That Were Linked To Hearing Issues?
The earplugs in question are the 3M dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs. These plugs were utilized by support members between 2003 to 2015 and subjected them to product design failure. As such, they would have been subjected to the potential for suffering from partial or complete hearing loss.
Additionally, soldiers did record reports that indicated the earplugs were too brief to correctly fit inside their ear. This resulted in external sound being able to make its way into the inner ear resulting in damage.
Why Were 3M Earplugs Used By Military Personnel and How Were They Supposed to Work?
Personnel inside the armed forces are expected to wear earplugs to protect them against hearing loss. However, 3M earplugs were made to be added in 2 ways. When the earplugs were worn in the first position, they claimed to protect the consumer from loud noises which came from vehicular sounds, heavy gear, roadside bombs, and gunfire tanks. When worn in the second place, they claimed to reduce artillery fire and explosions to just a muffle.
The 3M product was provided under contract and claimed that they’d protect the hearing skills of individuals who wore them. Later on, several veterans came forward and made complaints that indicated that 3M wasn’t effective in disclosing the defects and chance of wearers suffering severely form hearing loss.
What Problems Were Reported By Soldiers?
The combat earplugs provided by 3M were considerably briefer. This meant they couldn’t effectively fit into an individual ear. This caused the earplugs to become very loose with time and subjected everyone to hearing loss. Tinnitus, permanent hearing loss and balance problems are some of the long-term associated issues reported by veterans.
3M made bogus claims about their goods and left everyone to believe their product provided sufficient protection. They also made them feel they would be protected from hearing hurts during their training. However, this wasn’t the situation.
What’s Military Hearing Loss Or Tinnitus?
Hearing loss is often reported by service members. Additionally they sometimes suffer with tinnitus that produces a hissing, buzzing, or ringing noise inside their ears. When they’re influenced by this ailment, it gets very difficult for them to hear someone speaking from 3 feet away.
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs has estimated that there are close to 2.7 million veterans that are already receiving disability for their hearing loss that came from their time serving. Tinnitus is very common and may have been reported by individuals who did not even know that they had been wearing the earplugs from the 3M Company.
How Many Earplugs Did 3M Supply Through Their Contract?
3M provided more than 15000 packages that contained 50 pairs of earplugs in each bundle. This was supplied every year from 2006 since they had a contract with the Department of Defense.
Have Any Lawsuits Been Filed Regarding Allergic Earplugs By 3M?
In 2016, the distribution company for 3M made claims of its concern to the government. However, a qui tam lawsuit was filed because of their earplugs. They said that it was alleged that 3M created deceptive and incorrect claims for its product. Also, they did not disclose any of the defects related to the design of the earplugs.
In 2018, the Justice Department settled with 3M where they received $9.1 million.
Service members could be entitled to compensation by taking their own legal action. Throughout the year of 2019, there were already hundreds of lawsuits filed against 3M for its faulty earplugs.
Who Can File an Atlanta 3M Earplug Lawsuit?
The lawsuit against 3M by the authorities paid only the authorities and not support members. Users of the 3M earplugs who served in the U.S. army anywhere between 2003 to 2015 and diagnosed with hearing loss could be entitled to get compensation.
If you’re wondering whether your hearing damages were a result of the faulty 3M earplugs, you ought to get in touch with any of our specially trained product liability lawyers. Our liability lawyers are experienced in dealing with those scenarios. Contact us to discuss your available options now.
