![]() Instead, Aearo / 3M chose to move forward knowing that the earplugs may not work as intended, posing a serious risk of harm to thousands of members of our U.S. Not only were the Combat Arms earplugs defectively designed, but Aearo / 3M failed to warn both the military and service members that the earplugs would need to be manually manipulated to get a proper fit. In the case of the 3M Combat Arms earplugs, it seems is clear from the details of the $9.1 million settlement that the Combat Arms earplugs were defective. ![]() Failing to Warn About Known Defects – Why 3M Should be Held Accountable Because 3M purchased Aearo in 2008, 3M is liable for Aearo’s prior conduct with regard to the Combat Arms earplugs. In other words, it is alleged that Aearo/3M concealed information from the government, obtained an exclusive contract, and went on to sell defective earplugs that the military used between 20. As a result, the earplugs did not work correctly for many who wore them.Īccording to the lawsuit, while Aearo, and subsequently, 3M, apparently knew that the Combat Arms earplugs had problems, they did not share this information with the United States and instead submitted a bid to become the military’s sole provider of combat earplugs. As such, during testing, individuals were told to manually manipulate the earplugs to obtain a proper fit. The reason for this was because the earplugs were too short and could not be inserted deeply into some people's ears. That lawsuit alleged that employees knew that the earplugs could, on their own, loosen in a person’s ears, causing the sound to penetrate and damage the ears, resulting in permanent damage to the ear. The Department of Justice asserts that Dual-Ended combat Arms Earplugs used by the military between 20 were defective, and that certain Aearo employees who went on to work for 3M were aware of the problems. From Aearo Technologies to 3M Company – the Story of the Combat Arms EarplugsĪearo Technologies created the dual-ended Combat Arms earplugs that 3M eventually acquired in 2008, when 3M purchased Aearo and hired many of Aearo’s employees who were also involved in the development and testing of the earplugs. ![]() While the government was certainly harmed by 3M’s defective earplugs, the true victims are those suffering from chronic ringing in the ears and partial or complete hearing loss. However, combat veterans (especially those who served for the Army and Marines) who used 3M’s Combat Arms earplugs are eligible to pursue individual lawsuits against 3M to obtain compensation for their injuries. Unfortunately, combat veterans who suffered because of 3M’s earplugs are not entitled to any of the settlement proceeds from the recent lawsuit, which are going back to the U.S. 3M’s settlement with the United States has shed light on how many combat veterans may be suffering at the expense of defective earplugs. In July of 2018, 3M agreed to pay $9.1 million to the United States to settle claims alleging that 3M’s Combat Arms earplugs were defective and that such defects caused numerous combat veterans to sustain hearing loss and ringing in the ears. Contact us Nationwide toll-free for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-80) or use our 24/7 live chat.* 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs – What You Should Know if You are a Combat Veteran Learn more by speaking with Montlick & Associates today. If you are a combat veteran who served in the military between 20, and you have experienced ringing in the ears or hearing loss, you may be entitled to compensation. Army is investigating potential legal claims involving 3M’s dual-ended Combat Arms earplugs (dual-ended combat arms earplugs, version 2, caev2) that have caused numerous combat veterans to suffer from tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hearing loss and deafness. Montlick & Associates, named “ Most Patriotic Business of 2011” by the Association of the U.S. Are You Entitled to File a Claim for Your Hearing Injuries?
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