In a recent class action lawsuit, hundreds of pages of court documents were unsealed over lawsuits against 3M company for defective military earplugs. The manufacturing giant faces thousands of lawsuits from injured veterans across the nation who claim 3M military earplugs contained flaws which contributed to hearing injures.

On April 20, 2020 a federal judge in Pensacola, FL publicized a series of documents related to the Department of Defense’s purchase of 3M earplugs from between 2003 to 2015. These documents included emails, memos, depositions, and receipts, providing a look into the case that contains lawsuits from over 140,000 veterans across the United States.

“3M peddled these earplugs to the public and the United States military despite knowing they were dangerous and defective, perpetrating an ongoing fraud on our country and its citizens,” said the plaintiffs’ lead counsel in a statement.

For twelve years 3M sold their Combat Arms Dual-Sided Military Earplugs to the U.S. military. These earplugs were standard issue for service members, including soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

However, many veterans claim that the earplugs contained design defects that contributed to hearing injuries like hearing loss and tinnitus. 3M earplugs lawsuits indicate 3M knew from the start that the earplugs were too short to fit properly into soldiers’ ear canals, exposing them to dangerously high levels of sound.

According to Stars and Stripes, the recently publicized documents show that within tits hearing protection business, the defective earplugs accounted for 5% of 3M Company’s U.S. revenue. The earplugs accounted for “20% of [3M’s] operating income, in part because the earplugs cost 85 cents to make, but were sold for $7.63. An internal email from 3M states that the company had ‘no data’ on the current version of earplug being sold to the military.”

3M denies the earplugs were designed defectively and caused injuries.

3M Earplug Lawsuits

In 2018 3M paid out $91. Million to the Department of Justice to settle accusations that the company failed to meet design requirements and defrauded the military.

Currently over 140,000 3M earplug lawsuits have been filed against 3M Company, and more are expected in upcoming months. These lawsuits are now centralized as part of a multidistrict litigation in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Florida. Federal Judge M. Casey Rodgers presides over these cases and is expected to set a first bellwether trial date in 2021.

Did You Use 3M’s Military Earplugs?

If you or a loved one served in the U.S. military and used these earplugs, you may be entitled to compensation by filing a claim against 3M for negligence. Hiring a personal injury attorney experienced in product liability may be able to help you recover compensation for your injuries. At AVA Law Group, we provide access to some of the best injury lawyers across the nation, ones who fight aggressively for your rights.

 In cases like this, we go after the company, not the government, for your injuries.  We firmly believe a company’s negligent behavior should not remain unchecked when your livelihood is on the line.

We understand that compensation cannot reverse the damage 3M’s defective earplugs have inflicted on you. But, we know monetary compensation can ease the financial burdens that often come with hearing injures, such as medical treatment and pain & suffering.

To speak with a legal representative today about your options for justice, call AVA Law Group today When you contact our experienced injury attorneys, you can rest assured your information is handled with the care it deserves. Also, we provide free case evaluations, and even if you decide filing a claim is not in your best interest at this time, you are under no obligation to our firm.  You pay nothing for the consultation.

Connect with us today at 1.866.428.2529.