Our law firm is actively assessing claims where both veterans and employees that are on duty have endured severe hearing damage once they wore faulty Model 2 — CAEv2, 3M Combat Arms Earplugs. If you’ve also used these 3M earplugs while you served at the U.S. military anywhere between 2003 to 2015, you are possibly entitled to getting compensation.
Minnesota based, 3M Company supplied the United States army with these specially made earplugs. They were mainly used during combat to protect the hearing of soldiers around the field. 3M made the earplugs to just block out blasts, along with other extremely deafening noises if they had been running tests on the foundations too. On the other hand, the earplugs were supposed to ensure that the soldiers may still hear anyone who talked to them.
With that said, 3M failed to inform the U.S. authorities that a range of those earplugs was faulty. Due to this, users could suffer from complete or partial hearing loss as they served in the military. As such, our proficient class action lawyers feel that both veterans and active-duty employees ought to be compensated for this disservice.
Why Are Your 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 could have caused full hearing loss, partial hearing loss, or tinnitus. 3M made the earplugs to allow free communication between soldiers while shielding against loud sounds and explosions. The earplugs were created by Aearo Tech and were obtained in 2008 by 3M.
It was only after 10 years that somebody stepped forward and warned about the defects of the design. After investigations, it was found out that 3M paid $9.1 million to the federal government to be able to resolve any allegations. This was done to cover up even though 3M provided the product while being completely conscious of design defects. On a lighter note, all these earplugs are stopped.
How Do These Earplugs Cause Harm?
The earplugs had an alleged flaw that was based on their symmetrical layout. The fitting instructions supplied could have resulted in the earplugs becoming loosened and easily allowing sound to get in. This was the main cause of how hearing damages occurred and users later experienced complete hearing loss, partial hearing loss, and a ringing in their ears.
How Do You File A 3M Earplugs Lawsuit?
If you’re considering submitting a lawsuit, you need to first be diagnosed with tinnitus with a health professional. You ought to also have been discharged by the U.S. military or have a loss of hearing handicap rating according to the United States Department of Veteran Affairs. Moreover, you should have also served from 2003 to 2015. Veterans and active personnel could be reimbursed if they fit the criteria.
What Are The Earplugs Which Have Been 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. Therefore, they would have been subjected to the possibility of suffering from partial or complete hearing loss.
Furthermore, soldiers did record reports that indicated the earplugs were too brief to properly match within their ear. This led to external noise being able to create its way into the inner ear causing damage.
Why Were 3M Earplugs Used By Military Personnel and Are They Supposed to Work?
Personnel within the armed forces are required to use earplugs to protect them against hearing loss. But, 3M earplugs were made to be inserted in 2 ways. After the earplugs were worn in the first place, they claimed to protect the consumer from loud noises that came from vehicular noises, heavy gear, roadside bombs, and gunfire tanks. Once worn in the second position, they claimed to decrease artillery fire and explosions to only a muffle.
The 3M product was provided under contract and claimed that they would protect the hearing abilities of individuals who wore them. Later on, many veterans came forward and made complaints which indicated that 3M was not helpful in disclosing the flaws and possibility of wearers suffering severely from hearing loss.
What Problems Were Reported By Soldiers?
The battle earplugs provided by 3M were considerably briefer. This meant they couldn’t effectively fit into a human ear. This caused that the earplugs to become quite loose as time passed and subjected everyone to hearing loss. Tinnitus, permanent hearing loss, and balance problems are some of the long-term related issues reported by specialists.
3M made bogus claims about their products and left everyone to believe their product provided sufficient protection. They made them feel they would be protected from hearing hurts during their training. However, this wasn’t the case.
What Is Army Hearing Loss Or Tinnitus?
Hearing loss is commonly reported by service members. They also sometimes suffer from tinnitus which creates a hissing, buzzing, or ringing noise within their ears. When they are affected by this condition, it becomes very hard 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 who are already receiving disability for tinnitus or their hearing loss that came out of their period functioning. Tinnitus is very common and could have been reported by persons who did not even know that they were wearing the earplugs from the 3M Company.
Just how Many Earplugs Did 3M Supply Under The Contract?
3M provided more than 15000 packages that contained 50 pairs of earplugs in each bundle. This was supplied each year from 2006 since they had a contract with the Department of Defense.
Have Any Lawsuits Been Filed Regarding Defective Earplugs From 3M?
In 2016, the distribution company for 3M made claims of its concern to the government. But a qui tam lawsuit was filed because of their earplugs. They stated that it was alleged that 3M created incorrect and deceptive claims for its own product. Additionally, they didn’t disclose any of the flaws related to the design of their earplugs.
In 2018, the Justice Department settled 3M where they received $9.1 million.
Service members could be entitled to compensation by accepting their own legal actions. Throughout the year of 2019, there have been hundreds of suits filed from 3M for the faulty earplugs.
Who Can Participate In A Lawsuit Over Allergic Earplugs Supplied By 3M?
The lawsuit against 3M by the government paid only the authorities rather than support members. Users of those 3M earplugs who functioned at the U.S. army anywhere between 2003 to 2015 and diagnosed with hearing loss could be qualified to get compensation.
If you’re wondering whether or not your hearing damages were a result of the faulty 3M earplugs, you ought to contact some of our specially trained product liability lawyers. Our liability lawyers are experienced in dealing with these scenarios. Contact us to discuss your available options now.
