From 2003 until 2015, 3M Company provided the United States military with Combat Arms earplugs. These earplugs are dual-ended, with the yellow end allowing soldiers to hear one another while still using the devices. The earplugs in question were Version 2, sometimes called CAEv2.
Announced in early 2019, hundreds of veterans are pursuing compensation in lawsuits alleging these earplugs are defective and allowed loud noise to damage their hearing. The lawsuits accuse 3M Company of knowing the design was defective and continuing to make and distribute the earplugs.
Thousands of Service Members May Have Suffered Hearing Damage
The veterans filing Combat Arms earplug lawsuits accuse the 3M Company of producing a defective product as well as failing to include instructions on the proper use of the earplugs. They allege the earplugs, designed to allow them to hear instructions, conversations, and warnings, do not seal properly inside the ear and allow loud noises to cause hearing damage. The most common injuries include:
- Hearing loss,
- Tinnitus,
- Loss of balance
If you suffered any of these after using these earplugs, or if you have other symptoms you may believe occurred as a result of hearing or ear damage, reach out to our team and let us review your case and eligibility at no cost to you.
For a free legal consultation, call 412-661-1400
Who Is Eligible to Take Legal Action Against 3M Company?
Veterans and soldiers who served in the Armed Forces between 2003 and 2015 may be eligible to pursue compensation for the hearing damage they suffered. This may include pain and suffering damages and punitive damages. If you used these trademarked black and yellow earplugs and now suffer hearing loss or other related symptoms, you should talk to an attorney familiar with this case as soon as possible.
The lawsuits filed against 3M Company allege that the company knew their Combat Arms earplugs did not make a good seal in the ear and might allow for hearing damage as early as 2000. However, they continued to market and manufacture the devices including signing a contract with the government to produce earplugs for the military.
Will This Become a Mass Tort?
Right now, there are dozens of lawsuits pending against 3M because of these earplugs in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Waco Division. This could get rolled into multidistrict litigation (MDL) or another type of mass tort if enough veterans pursue a payout. This would mean the way the courts process your case is different.
MDL allows us to share the costs of the pretrial discovery process and proceed through a series of bellwether trials to see how these cases could do in court before negotiating a settlement offer or taking our own case to trial.
Let Berger and Green Pursue the Compensation You Deserve in Your 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Case
At Berger and Green, our attorneys have decades of experience fighting for the compensation our clients and their families deserve. If you used 3M Combat Arms earplugs during your military service and now suffer hearing loss, tinnitus, balance issues, or other related impairments, we may be able to pursue a payout on your behalf. Call or text us today at 412-661-1400.
Our team can:
- Answer your questions about this case or this type of legal action
- Evaluate your eligibility to participate
- Explain what you can expect to happen every step of the way
- Gather evidence of your condition and tie it to Combat Arms earplugs
- Document your range of expenses and losses related to your injuries
- Take legal action on your behalf, filing a lawsuit against 3M
Depending on many factors, we may be able to negotiate an out-of-court settlement in your case or take your case to trial and present a strong argument for a verdict and monetary award. No matter how your case ends, if we can recover compensation on your behalf, it could cover:
- Any related expenses and losses not paid by your veteran’s benefits
- The cost of any hearing aid or other necessary devices
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish damages
- Punitive damages
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Talk to a 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Defective Device Lawsuit Lawyer
If you served in the U.S. military between 2003 and 2015 and used these unique, dual-ended black and yellow earplugs, you may be eligible to pursue compensation from the 3M Company. At Berger and Green, our attorneys can review your case at no cost to you. Then, we can pursue a payout through an individual lawsuit, settlement negotiations, or joining multidistrict litigation (MDL) if it becomes possible in this case.
Call or text us at 412-661-1400 for your complimentary case evaluation. We can take on your case and fight for the payout you deserve.
Call or text 412-661-1400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
