3M Military Earplugs Lawsuit

3M Company Creates Defective Earplugs

3M Company, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, sold the U.S. military their Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 to protect soldiers from severe hearing damage. For years, 3M maintained this deal and continued to supply the troops with their faulty earplugs, until a whistleblower came forward with claims that the products were defective. According to the whistleblower’s assertions, the company violated the False Claims Act and even continued to sell the military their faulty products after they discovered the defects.

Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 Flaws

The whistleblower worked for a competitor of 3M and had ample information about the defects of the military earplugs. The earplugs were designed to have two different functions, depending on which end was inserted into the ear. At one end, the earplug was to stop all noise from entering the ear canal, while the other end was specifically designed to block louder, damaging noise from entering the ear while still allowing soldiers to communicate with one another.

Allegedly, the earplugs were designed with a key flaw—they were too short for proper insertion. As a result, the earplugs could slip from the ear imperceptibly during use, rendering them significantly less effective for certain users. As a result, several soldiers using these devices suffered major hearing injuries.

The Resulting Damage

Many of the soldiers who served in the United States military between 2003 and 2015 were issued the Dual-Ended earplugs for use during training and in overseas combat. Unfortunately, due to the major defects, the earplugs were less effective at protecting soldiers from significant harm.

Whether a soldier is taking part in a training exercise or serving on active duty, loud noises come with the territory. When soldiers outfitted with the 3M earplugs were exposed to explosives, gunfire, and other loud blasts, they could have experienced major hearing damage as a result. The most common side effects of this defecting product include hearing loss and tinnitus, a condition that causes buzzing or ringing in the ears.

Who Can File a Lawsuit?

According to a press release by The United States Department of Justice, the 3M Company responsible for creating and selling the defective military earplugs agreed to pay $9.1 million in a settlement. Due to the nature of the lawsuit, however, individuals who were damaged by these products could be eligible to file lawsuits in pursuit of justice and compensation.

Individuals who were injured by these earplugs could require extensive medical care, including surgery, medication, and other types of ongoing treatments. Additionally, hearing loss or hearing impairments could impact the person’s career, and may cause extensive pain and suffering. If you or someone you love suffered hearing damage after using the 3M earplugs in the military, our firm is prepared to hear your case.