3M Earplug Lawsuit in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana
As of April 16, 2022, our Defense Base Act lawyers are continuing to protect soldiers' rights after suffering from Tinnitus or hearing loss while serving in the armed forces and using 3M Combat Arms Earplugs. 3M is currently facing lawsuits alleging that their popular earplugs are defective and have caused injury to consumers. The earplugs, known as "Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2" (CAEv2), were originally designed for use by the military to protect against loud noise exposure. However, the suit alleges that 3M knew the duel-sided earplugs were too short to be properly inserted into the ear canal, and that they could loosen and cause hearing damage. As a result, the plaintiffs claim that 3M failed to warn consumers of the risks associated with their product. The suit is currently pending in federal court.
If you serviced as a military serviceman and live in Texas, Louisiana, or Oklahoma, contact us today by calling 866-434-0014.
On this page you'll learn how 3M earplugs caused soldiers and civil contractors to suffer hearing loss, the legal framework involved in these mass tort lawsuits, the latest information regarding ongoing litigation this year, and how to determine if you're eligible to join in the group of already filed 3M formula case.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the 3M earplug lawsuit?
In the early 2000s, the United States military issued a new type of combat arms earplugs to soldiers. These earplugs, known as dual-ended combat arms earplugs (CAE), were designed by 3M to provide protection from both loud noises and constant background noise in warzones. However, it was later discovered that the CAE earplugs had a design defect that allowed them to become loose in the wearer’s ear. To make matters worse, the evidence supports that 3M was aware of the issue and failed the inform the military. This defect led to many soldiers and civilian contract workers suffering from hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears) as the device did not provide any noise cancellation or muffling support to many veterans.
In 2018, a mass tort lawsuit was filed against the manufacturer of the CAE earplugs, 3M. The lawsuits are still ongoing, but it is estimated that there are hundred of thousands of soldiers who have suffered damages to their ears due to chronic exposure to the loud noises they were exposed to overseas.
3M's defective earplugs were standard military issue to service members during the wars in Iraq, Somalia, North-West Pakistan, Operation Ocean Shield, the American-led intervention in Libya, the Yemeni Civil Law, Operation Ocean Shield, and the American led intervention in Syria.
Is the 3M earplug lawsuit real?
3M earplug lawsuit are legitimate. Nearly 300,000 plaintiffs have already filed 3M earplug claims seeking compensation against the American multinational government contractor. There have also been multiple bellwether trials through with the plaintiffs consecutively secured jury awards ranging from $50 million to $110 million. A bellwether trial is a type of mass tort lawsuit in which the outcomes serves as a model to predict the outcomes of later filed similar cases. Although each plaintiff will not likely receive an eight-figure settlement, this awards encourage settlement negotiations and validate the claims that will follow by establishing the legal framework and gravity of these injuries.
Do I qualify to file a 3M earplug lawsuit?
You may have a legal claim against the 3M earplugs in Texas, Oklahoma, or Louisiana if you were:
Assigned to work with or around 3M earplugs between 2003 and 2015, and
Now suffer from hearing impairment, tinnitus, or other auditory damage, and
You have not been affected with a degenerative hearing loss syndrome
Even if you have not be diagnosed with Tinnitus or underwent a physical exam to determine if you're suffering from hearing loss, you should reach out to a law firm that is handling these mass tort claims. You deserve to obtain answers through a free and confidential consultations. An attorney will hear the facts of your circumstance and determine whether you qualify to file a claim for compensation for the pain and suffering you're experiencing, due to 3M’s faulty earplugs.
How do I join the lawsuit against 3M?
Contacting Sneed & Mitchell and speaking with one of our 3M litigation attorneys is the best way to start the process of getting relief for hearing loss you've suffer due to noise exposure while using combat arms earplugs. A mass tort attorney familiar with these claims will aid you by handling all aspects
of the claim filing process so that you can focus on your recovery.
Although each hearing loss claim is unique, the intake process involves your attorney and legal team:
Gathering the evidence that verifies you overseas deployment
Learning about the impact to your hearing
Determining if you were using a 3M product
Filing a 3M Combat Arms Earplugs claim in your behalf
Pursuing compensation in the form of a settlement or verdict or your
If your suffer from hearing impairment, such as unilateral or bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus or other related hearing loss conditions and were given military grade earplugs while working overseas, you should discuss your possible claim with one our 3M earplug mass tort attorneys. Contact us today to begin the claims process. One of our attorneys will obtain the details of your circumstance and inform you of the rights and remedies available to you.
Do I need to be diagnosed with hearing loss or tinnitus?
To file a claim, you have to have been diagnosed by a doctors with with hearing loss, deafness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or similar impairments. Although many military servicemen were diagnosed by a doctor with symptoms of hearing loss around the time of discharge, this is not a requirement in order to have a valid claim. It is not too late to obtain data proving a hearing loss through approved medical tests by a licensed audiologist. The system has three levels, which are based on the severity of the hearing loss. Level 1 is the mildest form of hearing loss, and level 3 is the most severe. Level 1 hearing loss is typically only noticeable in quiet environments, while level 3 hearing loss can make it difficult to hear even in loud environments. The Hearing Loss Rating System is a valuable tool for audiologists, as it helps them to track the progress of their patients and identify any potential problems. If you have been diagnosed with any degree of hearing loss, you should contact our firm for further claim evaluation.
Is it worth it to file a mass tort claim against 3M?
Filing a mass tort claim against 3M is beneficial because this form of civil litigation involves multiple plaintiffs who have been injured by the same product and company. Although many plaintiffs in a mass tort case retains their own lawyer, the cases are usually consolidated into one trial. The mass tort claims against 3M allow for greater efficiency and eliminates the need for each plaintiff to prove their individual case and bring the evidence necessary to support their grievance. In addition, mass tort cases are different that class action proceeding in that they often result in larger settlements. This is because in a mass tort case, each claim is treated as a individual case, while class actions claimants share the proceeds of a single settlement sum. Companies are more likely to settle when they are facing multiple claims through a mass tort. As a result, mass tort lawsuits can be an effective way for injured consumers to seek compensation from companies that have caused them harm.
What is the average settlement in a 3M Earplug lawsuit?
It is impossible to estimate the average trial value of 3M earplug cases without knowing more about the individual circumstances of each case. However, based on prior verdicts and settlements in similar cases, we expect the trial value to be somewhere between $25,000 and $300,000 per person. The settlement payouts are likely to be less than the trial value, which have ranged from $5 million to $110 million, but it is still unknown how much less. These verdicts suggest that the expected average individual settlement amount is rising, which is great news for the military servicemen and veteran's impacted by the unlawful actions of 3M.
How long will the 3M earplug lawsuit take to settle?
Based on prior mass tort product liability cases, we anticipate that it will be a year or two before a global settlement is reached with 3M in the earplug litigation. This is frustrating for those who have been injured by the defective earplugs, but the wheels of a mass tort claim move slowly. So 3M earplug plaintiffs should not expect to receive any settlement compensation until late 2021 at the earliest. In the meantime, plaintiffs' attorneys will be working hard to build their cases and negotiate with 3M. If you or someone you know has been injured by these earplugs, it's important to contact a qualified attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.
What factors can effect my settlement?
The amount of compensation any individual military servicemen is entitled to recover depends on the facts of a specific circumstance.
Several factors separate one 3M claim from another, including;
the severity of auditory damage or hair cells
the extent of medical treatment
whether hearing aids are needed
surgery costs
medical bills
economic expenses
permanent hearing loss damage
future medical needs
emotional trauma
economic impact
Contact Sneed & Mitchell LLP if developed any form of hearing damage. We will review the situation, determine if 3M is liable for the impairment you're experiencing, and estimate the degree of economic and non-economic impact in your situation.
What are symptoms and treatment of tinnitus?
Although it can vary in severity, the most common symptom of tinnitus is a ringing or buzzing noise in the ears. In some cases, the noise may be soft and barely noticeable. In other cases, it can be loud and intrusive, making it difficult to concentrate or sleep. Tinnitus can also cause dizziness, headaches, and feelings of anxiety or depression. There is no cure for tinnitus, but there are treatments that can help to manage the symptoms. If you think you may be suffering from tinnitus, it is important to see a doctor for a diagnosis.
With prompt treatment, most infants can fully recovery for the illness, while might endure life-long complications of health impacts. Some of the complications of necrotizing enterocolitis include ongoing abdominal infections, a restriction of the intestines, short bower syndrome, or physical or cognitive growth failure or developments delays.
Although there is no cure for tinnitus, there are treatments that can help to lessen the symptoms. One common approach is sound therapy, which involves exposure to low-level background noise or auditory masking. This can help to make tinnitus less noticeable by providing a distraction from the ringing sound. In some cases, hearing aids may also be beneficial, as they can amplify external sounds and make tinnitus less noticeable. Tinnitus retraining therapy is another treatment option that involves retraining the brain to ignore the ringing sound. This can be done through a combination of counseling and low-level sound therapy. Some people may also find relief through stress management techniques or complementary therapies such as acupuncture.
How do I find a 3M earplug lawyer in Texas, Oklahoma, or Lousiana?
Hiring an experienced 3M earplug lawyer has a huge impact on your chances of having a successful case settlement. The best mass tort attorneys will make sure you are taken care of, but not all mass tort attorneys understand how to ensure that your receive monetary damages from the negligent earplug manufacturer, 3M.
To find the best mass tort 3M lawyer you should search for an attorney with:
Free Case Evaluations: most attorneys offer free case consultations, so it is possible to get more information about your legal options without committing to anything. During a consultation, an attorney will listen to your story and give you their professional opinion about your case.
Product Liability Knowledge: The three main types of product liability claims are negligence, strict liability, and breach of warranty. A mass tort attorney understands the complexity of these lawsuits and how to successfully prove a clients grievances in accordance with each legal framework.
Years of Experience: There is no substitute experience litigating mass tort claims. Make sure your attorney has successfully obtained financial recoveries in this area of the law.
Award-Winning Results: High dollar settlements and awards are not obtained by a trial attorney without a clear understanding of how to effectively advocate for their client's position.
Contingency-Fee Model: No attorney that handles mass tort claims should require a fee to file your mass tort claim. Instead, the attorney should work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if you win your case. If you do win, the attorney will receive a percentage of the total amount awarded.
We believe our award-winning mass tort lawyers are the leading trail attorneys in our field, and many peers agree with us. Contact Sneed & Mitchell to discuss the filing of your 3M earplug claim. We hold government contractors and product manufacturers fully accountable for their unsafe actions. Contact us today by calling 866-434-0014, for by filling out our quick contact information form and one of our legal professionals will call you immediately.