The 3M Combat Arms double-ended earplugs were purchased by the U.S. military to solve a serious problem: Service-members getting hearing loss or damage. Conditions like tinnitus and complete or partial hearing loss in or both ears can be common in veterans.
As of 2017, more than 2.7 million veterans were receiving disability benefits for some kind of hearing loss or damage, and more than 20% of all vets who served between 2003 and 2015 are receiving disability benefits for hearing loss or damage.
The 3M earplugs were designed and marketed to the U.S. Department of Defense as a solution to this problem. The earplugs would securely fit inside the ears of service-members and prevent repeated loud noise from penetrating the ear canals and causing hearing damage.
The only problem is that they didn’t work. The 3M earplugs simply didn’t securely seal inside the ear canal. This led service members operating in noisy environments to suffer serious and often permanent hearing loss or damage.
The Disability Guys are fighting for justice and compensation on behalf of veterans whose hearing was damaged while wearing 3M earplugs. Lawsuits against 3M are in progress across the country, and if you’re a veteran who suffered hearing loss or damage that can be attributed to 3M’s earplugs, you may be eligible for compensation, too.
A Potentially Dangerous Faulty Product
There is serious evidence suggesting that the manufacturers knew about the failures long before they became public. 3M has already paid a $9.1 million settlement to the Justice Department to resolve allegations that they knew about the defects in the product and failed to warn the military. As part of the deal, 3M did not admit any liability and the Justice Department did not make a determination of liability.
The government’s lawsuit alleged that 3M employees knew about defects in the earplugs that prevented it from forming a tight seal as early as 2000, while the company was still selling them to the military as late as 2015. The earplugs are double-tipped with tips of slightly different size, and 3M claimed that by using one tip or the other, every single user would be able to find a perfect seal. Scores of civil
lawsuits filed on behalf of service members make similar allegations.
Holding Them Accountable
We don’t think 3M should be able to get away with this. If you or a loved one served in the military and suffered hearing injuries while wearing 3M earplugs, we want to fight for you. You can call today or anytime for a free consultation, and if we take your case we will go to work for you with zero upfront costs or fees. You only pay if we win for you. Call today to take the first step towards getting the compensation you deserve.
FAQ
Who can file a claim against 3M for hearing loss?
Any current or former U.S. Military service-member who was issued and used 3M earplugs while on duty, and who later suffered any form of hearing loss or damage. This includes full or partial hearing loss in one or both ears, as well as conditions like tinnitus.
How Can a Lawyer Help?
Any current or former U.S. Military service-member who was issued and used 3M earplugs while on duty, and who later suffered any form of hearing loss or damage. This includes full or partial hearing loss in one or both ears, as well as conditions like tinnitus
I’m already receiving veterans disability payments for my hearing loss, can I still file a lawsuit?
Absolutely. Your veterans disability payments from the government have nothing to do with the harm potentially inflicted against you by a negligent manufacturer. Living with hearing loss or damage can cause pain and suffering and a reduced quality of life, and you deserve to be compensated for that.
I don’t think I can afford to hire a lawyer. What should I do?
With The Disability Guys, there’s no such thing as a person who can’t afford to hire a lawyer. Our firm operates on the contingency-fee model, which means we only get paid if we win for you. No upfront fee, no being charged for any kind of costs or fees during the case. So no matter your financial situation, you can always afford top quality legal representation.