We are currently not accepting Defective 3M Military Earplugs
Did you serve in a foreign conflict from 2003 to 2015, and were you issued dual-sided Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2)?
If so, there is a chance that the earplugs you were given were defective and could have exposed you to unsafe sound levels when worn during service. Recently, 3M, the Minnesota-based company that manufactured these earplugs, agreed to pay the United States Justice Department $9.1 million to resolve allegations that it knowingly sold defective devices to the U.S. military.
If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss as a result of exposure to noise while wearing these earplugs, contact Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., today.
You could be eligible for compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
Which 3M Earplugs Are Involved?
The specific earplugs in question were manufactured by 3M and its predecessor Aearo Technologies, Inc. and were sold to the Defense Logistics Agency. The defective earplugs were the Combat Arms Earplugs ™ (CAEv2), specifically.
Millions of service members were issued these earplugs while engaging in foreign conflicts, including those who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Pakistan, Yemen, and elsewhere from 2003 to 2015.
What Was Wrong With the 3M Earplugs?
3M and Aearo Technologies, Inc. were alleged to have violated the False Claims Act when they sold the dual-sided earplugs to the military knowing that a design defect could cause the earplug to loosen imperceptibly in some individuals, potentially exposing them to dangerous sound levels.
For some users, the earplugs’ design made them too short to maintain a tight seal, allowing dangerous sound levels to slip by. Noise-induced hearing loss can be sudden or can take years to become noticeable. Some service members have reported symptoms that could be attributed to the defective earplugs, including:
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss
- Loss of balance
Because 3M may have designed the earplugs in a defective manner and failed to warn users of the dangers of the product, the company can and should be held responsible for the harm suffered by U.S. military service members who were issued the devices.
What Are My Rights If I Have Been Affected by 3M Earplugs?
If you have been diagnosed with or suffer from tinnitus or hearing loss and you believe that 3M earplugs that you were issued were the cause, you have the right to take legal action against the manufacturer.
Keep in mind that although the company settled with the Department of Justice, the $9.1 million payment will not go to the service members who were affected. You should consult with an experienced product liability lawyer right away to discuss your rights and the legal options that are available to you.
Because 3M sold these devices that could cause harm to you, the user, you could be eligible for significant compensation.
How Can Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., Help Me?
The defective products lawyers of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., represent service members who are suffering from hearing loss as a result of defective 3M earplugs. We firmly believe that defense contractors have a duty to develop and manufacture products that protect those who are protecting our freedoms – not cause them harm.
Victims like you deserve justice and fair compensation. Our team has the skill and resources necessary to aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf. Schedule a free consultation with our 3M earplug attorneys by calling us or contacting us online today.
