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Find Out If You May Qualify for a 3M Earplugs Lawsuit

If you served in the military and are experiencing hearing loss despite using the 3M Combat Arms Earplugs, call The Goldwater Law Firm right now.

Find Out If You May Qualify

3M Earplug Lawsuit

From 2003 to 2015, thousands of soldiers were issued the double-ended 3M Combat Arms Earplugs™. These widely used earplugs were discovered to have a design defect, exposing soldiers to high-decibel sounds and putting them at risk of permanent hearing damage.

If you are a veteran who has suffered hearing problems while wearing these defective earplugs, please know that you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and the pain you’ve unwillingly suffered. Goldwater Law Firm and our trusted network of attorneys is dedicated to protecting our nation’s soldiers who have sacrificed so much to protect us. Please contact us today to find out if you may qualify to file a 3M earplugs lawsuit.

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Help Is a Call or Click Away

It is absolutely devastating for a soldier to suffer hearing problems despite using earplugs that were promised to protect them. At Goldwater Law Firm, we strive to make getting legal help for anyone in this situation as easy as possible. All it takes is one call or click.

Fighting for Your Rights

Standing up to major corporations, like 3M, to seek the justice you deserve can be complicated and difficult. With Goldwater Law Firm and our vast network of experienced 3M earplugs lawyers and industry experts, you’ll get a fierce partner in the fight for your rights.

No Fees Unless We Win

When you contact Goldwater Law Firm, it will cost you nothing to find out if you may qualify. In fact, you won’t pay anything unless a successful outcome is reached for your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you served in the military between 2003 and 2015, were issued 3M Combat Arms Earplugs™, and suffered hearing loss due to exposure to loud noises while wearing them, you may qualify. Contact us today to find out how we can help.

If you believe you may qualify, all you have to do to get started is contact The Goldwater Law Firm. We help people across the nation, so you don’t have to worry about leaving your home to get help. Simply contact our team to find out if you may qualify, and we’ll connect you with an experienced 3M earplugs lawyer.

While an attorney isn’t required, having knowledgeable legal representation on your side will not only give you the best chance of receiving any compensation you’re entitled to, but also take the hassles of the legal process off your shoulders.

It won’t cost you anything to hire an attorney! The Goldwater Law Firm and our partner law firms work on a contingency-fee basis, so you won’t owe us a penny unless we win your case.

 

Find Out If You May Qualify

The Dangers of 3M Earplugs

From 2003 through 2015, the U.S. military issued the dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs™ made by 3M to thousands of troops. These earplugs were intended to protect soldiers from loud noises, such as explosions, while still allowing them to communicate freely with each other and hear orders.

Unfortunately, these earplugs were found to have a serious design flaw, rendering them ineffective. This, in turn, left soldiers who wore them unprotected from the loud and damaging sounds to which they’re exposed daily.

Armed african american soldier looking at a computer

What Was the Defect?

The dual-sided earplugs were intended to have two different functions. When inserted, one end was intended to completely block sound, while the other was meant to reduce loud noises, like explosions and gunfire, while still allowing soldiers to hear important commands and nearby conversations. Plaintiffs allege that the earplugs were too short for insertion and did not properly fit the ear canal, making them ineffective at protecting the user’s hearing.

Who Was Affected?

Thousands of soldiers both in and out of combat zones between the years of 2003 and 2015 may have used these earplugs and fallen victim to the defect. While it’s difficult to know exactly how many military personnel have been affected, it is reported that over 15,000 packages of Combat Arms Earplugs™, with 50 pairs each, were provided per year under a 2006 contract with the Department of Defense.

The complications that can result from this defect include severe loss of hearing and tinnitus (a loud and persistent ringing, buzzing, clicking, or humming in the ear) due to exposure to loud noises. This loss of hearing can be temporary, long-term, or even permanent in nature.

3M Failed to Warn About the Defect

The core of the lawsuits against manufacturers Aearo Technologies (the original designer of the devices) and 3M (which acquired the former in 2008) claim the companies were aware of the defect and the dangers of the design dating as far back as 2000 and even developed a way to modify the device in order to overcome the defect. Neither company, however, warned the U.S. government or consumers of the defect, nor did they provide proper fitting instructions for the modification, according to plaintiffs.

Now, veterans are coming forward and arguing that by not disclosing the design flaw, the company misrepresented the effectiveness of the earplugs and led the government and soldiers to believe that their hearing was protected when it wasn’t.

Young army soldier talking with doctor during his therapy.

Suffering From Hearing Problems After Using 3M Earplugs?

If you’ve suffered from tinnitus or hearing loss after wearing 3M earplugs while serving between 2003 and 2015, please don’t wait to contact Goldwater Law Firm today!

Find Out If You May Qualify

Existing Settlements With 3M

In July of 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice investigated whistleblower claims of the design flaw. As a result, 3M agreed to pay $9.1 million to the federal government to resolve the claims. However, under the terms of the settlement, 3M was not required to admit liability. Additionally, despite the $9.1 million settlement, the soldiers who were harmed by the defective earplugs haven’t received compensation. The earplugs were discontinued in 2015.

How Can Filing a 3M Lawsuit Help Me?

If you’re a veteran or soldier who wore 3M earplugs in training or a combat zone and have suffered from tinnitus or hearing loss, please don’t wait to find out if you may qualify. 3M deserves to be held responsible for its carelessness in protecting our nation’s soldiers.

By filing a lawsuit, you could receive compensation for your losses including:

  • Medical bills, doctor’s visits, treatments, and any future medical costs
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning potential
  • Emotional damages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
  • Punitive damages, in some cases

Have You Suffered Hearing Damage?

3M earplugs lawsuits continue to be filed every day. Don’t wait to find out if you may qualify! Contact Goldwater Law Firm today to get started.

Find Out If You May Qualify