Our attorneys are actively analyzing claims where the two veterans and employees that are on duty have endured severe hearing damage once they wore faulty Version 2 — CAEv2, 3M Combat Arms Earplugs. If you have also used these 3M earplugs while you served in the U.S. army anyplace between 2003 to 2015, you are possibly entitled to receiving compensation.
Minnesota based, 3M Company provided the United States army with those specially made earplugs. They have been mainly used during battle to protect the hearing of soldiers on the field. 3M made the earplugs to simply block out blasts, along with other extremely deafening noises when they had been running tests on the bases too. However, the earplugs were supposed to ensure that the soldiers could still hear anybody who spoke to them.
With that said, 3M failed to inform the U.S. government a range of those earplugs were faulty. Due to this, users could suffer from partial or complete hearing loss as they functioned in the army. Therefore, our proficient class action attorneys believe that both veterans and active-duty personnel should be compensated 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. Consequently, this could have caused full hearing loss, partial hearing loss or tinnitus. 3M made the earplugs to allow free communication between soldiers while protecting against loud noises and explosions. The earplugs were designed by Aearo Tech and were acquired in 2008 by 3M.
It was only after 10 years that somebody stepped forward and cautioned about the flaws of the design. After investigations, it was found out that 3M paid $9.1 million to the national authorities in order to resolve any allegations. This was done to pay even though 3M supplied the product while being fully aware of design flaws. On a lighter note, all these earplugs are stopped.
How Do 3M Earplugs Cause Harm?
The earplugs had an alleged defect that was based on their symmetrical layout. The fitting instructions supplied could have resulted in the earplugs becoming loosened and readily allowing noise to get in. This was the main cause of how hearing damages occurred and users afterward experienced complete hearing loss, partial hearing loss, and a ringing in their ears.
How Do You File A 3M Earplugs Lawsuit?
If you are interested in filing a lawsuit, you must first be diagnosed with tinnitus with a medical professional. You ought to also have been discharged by the U.S. military or have a loss of hearing handicap rating based on this United States Department of Veteran Affairs. Additionally, you should also have functioned from 2003 to 2015. Veterans and active staff could be reimbursed if they fit the criteria.
What 3M Earplugs Are Linked To Hearing Issues?
The earplugs in question are the 3M dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs. These plugs were utilized by support members involving 2003 to 2015 and exposed them to product design failure. As such, they’d have been exposed to the potential for suffering from complete or partial hearing loss.
Furthermore, soldiers did record reports that indicated that the earplugs were too brief to correctly match within their ear. This led to external noise having the ability to create its way to the inner ear causing harm.
Why Were 3M Earplugs Used By Military Personnel and How Were They Supposed to Work?
Personnel within the armed forces are required to use earplugs to protect them against hearing loss. But, 3M earplugs were created to be added in 2 ways. After the earplugs were worn in the first place, they promised to protect the consumer from loud noises that came from vehicular sounds, heavy equipment, roadside bombs, and gunfire tanks. When worn in the next position, they claimed to decrease artillery fire and explosions to just a muffle.
The 3M product was provided under contract and claimed that they would protect the hearing skills of individuals who wore them. Later on, many veterans came forward and left complaints that indicated that 3M was not helpful in demonstrating the flaws and chance of wearers suffering seriously from hearing loss.
What Problems Were Reported By Soldiers?
The combat earplugs supplied by 3M were much shorter. This meant that they could not effectively fit into an individual ear. This induced 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 specialists.
3M made false claims about their products and left everybody to think that their product offered sufficient security. They also made them feel they would be protected from hearing hurts throughout their own training. However, this wasn’t the case.
What’s Military Hearing Loss Or Tinnitus?
Hearing loss is often reported by service members. Additionally, they sometimes suffer from tinnitus which produces a hissing, buzzing, or ringing noise within their ears. When they’re affected by this ailment, it becomes quite difficult for them to listen to somebody 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 tinnitus or their hearing loss that came from their time functioning. Tinnitus is very common and could have been reported by individuals who didn’t even know that they were wearing the earplugs from the 3M Company.
How Many Earplugs Did 3M Supply Under The Contract?
3M provided over 15000 packages that contained 50 pairs of earplugs in each package. This was provided every year from 2006 since they had a contract with the Department of Defense.
Have Any Lawsuits Been Filed Regarding Faulty Earplugs From 3M?
In 2016, the distribution company for 3M made claims of its concern to these authorities. However, a qui tam lawsuit was filed because of the earplugs. They stated that it had been alleged that 3M created deceptive and incorrect claims for its product. Additionally, they didn’t disclose some of the defects associated with the design of the earplugs.
In 2018, the Justice Department settled with 3M in which they received $9.1 million.
Service members may be entitled to compensation by taking their own legal action. During the entire year of 2019, there have been hundreds of suits filed against 3M for its faulty earplugs.
Who Can File a 3M Earplug Lawsuit?
The lawsuit against 3M by the government paid only the government and not service associates. Users of those 3M earplugs who served in the U.S. military anyplace between 2003 to 2015 and diagnosed with hearing loss could be qualified to receive compensation.
If you are wondering whether or not your hearing damages were caused by the faulty 3M earplugs, you ought to contact any of the specially trained product liability attorneys. Our liability attorneys are experienced in managing these cases. Speak to our law firm to discuss your available choices today.
