3M Military Combat Arms Earplug Lawsuit

Hearing loss is one of the most common issues affecting the brave men and women who have served or are serving in the U.S. military. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reported that hearing injuries were the third most common service related disability, including hearing loss and tinnitus. Many active duty service men and women used earplugs to mitigate the hearing loss from the high decibel levels in combat zones in particular. 

In 2018 the U. S. Department of Justice issued an alarming statement. To settle a whistleblower suit, 3M Corp. agreed to pay $9.1 million dollars for knowingly selling defective earplugs to the U.S. military. Countless soldiers were affected by the defective earplugs sold to the military from 2003 to 2015. These ear plugs were faulty because they would not hold tight in a user’s ears, making them ineffective as protection.  

The earplugs were the dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2), which were standard issue to service members deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. These earplugs were marketed as being dual purpose for its users; one end allowing sounds such a speech to be heard. The other end would provide the user protection from damaging sounds like gunfire and heavy machinery.

Aearo Technologies, acquired by 3M in 2008, and 3M were the exclusive manufacturers of the earplugs. The whistleblower lawsuit alleged that both companies knew the earplugs were defective, and manipulated test data provided to the U.S. Military. These plugs were too short for proper insertion into soldier’s ears, causing them to loosely; vastly diminishing their any protection.

Without the necessary protection of adequate noise reduction, thousands of U.S. service members may have unknowingly suffered permanent hearing loss and auditory damage from combat related noise, resulting in injury, pain and suffering, loss of wages, and medical bills. 

Fight For Your Rights With A Hearing Loss Injury Attorney

Our attorneys are evaluating claims that veterans and active duty service men and women experienced major hearing loss or damage due to CAEv2 earplugs. If you or a loved one has been affected by hearing loss due to faulty 3M earplugs you are not alone. Tens of thousands of military personnel that served from 2003 to 2015 that used 3M earplugs may be eligible for compensation. We have a team of attorneys that are dedicated to fighting for your rights and working to get paid for your injuries. Compensation in cases like these may include: 

• Medical Expenses
• Loss of Income
• Pain and Suffering
• Emotional Distress
• Loss of Consortium

If you have a hearing loss injury claim, our lawyers are here to listen and help guide you through the process. Dampier Law often represents clients on a contingency fee basis; you don’t pay anything unless we obtain compensation for you. If you would like to learn more about your options call us today for a free consultation. Or simply fill out the form and one of our attorneys will reach out to you. 

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