Military Personnel Taking Action Against 3M Over Defective Earplugs

Members of the U.S. Military sign up for service knowing the risks associated with serving their country but, unfortunately, many of them are now suffering severe health issues unrelated to injuries inflicted by combatants, but rather as a result of the irresponsibility and greed of a U.S. manufacturer. Thousands of our service members are experiencing hearing loss linked to defective earplugs – and they’re filing lawsuits against the company that manufactured them.

On April 3, 2019, more than 600 lawsuits were consolidated in a Florida federal court in order to help speed the process of litigation. The lawsuits allege that as many as 800,000 members of the military are suffering from hearing loss due to the defective earplugs.

How Could This Happen?

Service members allege that dual-ended Combat Arms™ earplugs (known as CAEv2) made by – Aearo Technologies, later purchased by 3M, failed to perform as advertised. One plaintiff in a lawsuit against 3M said that he used the earplugs during

training maneuvers. These included armored tank-gun discharges and other live-firing exercises. He  said he also wore CAEv2 earplugs while performing vehicle maintenance. The physician who performed the serviceman’s discharge exam confirmed that he’d sustained hearing loss that the earplugs had supposedly been designed to prevent.

In his lawsuit, the veteran claims that the 3M’s CAEv2 earplugs did not meet sound deadening specifications required by the U.S. military for ear protection devices. Because CAEv2 earplugs were standard issue for all members of the military deployed to active combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan between  2003 and 2015, this means that thousands of service men and women are at heightened risk of hearing loss due to 3M’s negligence.

In July 2018, 3M paid the U.S. government $9.1 million to settle a whistleblower case involving allegations that its earplugs were defective. The fact that 3M was willing to settle the whistleblower case indicates that evidence against the company might be substantial.

Contact Baron & Budd

It is despicable that a major American manufacturer like the 3M Company would knowingly prioritize profits over safety and put consumers at risk as a result. But it is absolutely unconscionable for a manufacturer like 3M to put the health at risk of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our country. If you served with the U.S. military in an active combat zone between 2003 and 2015 and suffered hearing loss after using 3M’s CAEv2 earplugs during that time, Baron & Budd may be able to obtain compensation for you. Please contact us online or call 866-723-1890 to learn more.