3M Defective Earplugs
If you served in the military from 2003-2015 and now have hearing loss or ringing in the ears, you may be eligible for compensation due to defective 3M combat earplugs. Legal documentation shows that in 2000, the company tested its dual-ended earplugs and found them to be faulty.
Despite this, the earplugs were wrongly issued to active duty service members for more than a decade. They have now been discontinued.
Here’s what our VA disability lawyers want you to know about the pending lawsuit.
Who is eligible to join the lawsuit?
You are eligible to join the lawsuit if you:
- Served in the armed forces between 2003 and 2015
- Were issued defective 3M earplugs (pictured above), and
- Have been diagnosed with or believe you suffer from hearing loss and/or tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
I believe I meet the eligibility to join the lawsuit. How should I contact you?
You can contact our VA disability lawyers in Kalamazoo, MI, by phone at (844) 838-5297 or by email at CD@vadisabilitygroup.com.
How are the lawyers paid and how much will they receive?
The law firm will receive its compensation on a contingent fee, which means that the lawyers will only get paid if the claimant gets paid. The attorney contingent fee is usually 1/3 of the claimant’s compensation.
I was dishonorably discharged. Am I still eligible to join the lawsuit?
Yes. This is not a DOD or VA matter. Your discharge type is irrelevant.
I receive VA Disability for my hearing loss. Will my participation in this lawsuit have any effect on my VA Disability Compensation?
No. Your participation in this lawsuit will have no impact on your VA disability compensation. If you are receiving for hearing loss or tinnitus, those disability payments and evaluations assigned by the VA will continue with no change whatsoever.
How much money will I receive?
It’s too early to know for sure. However, it’s not uncommon for individuals to receive tens of thousands of dollars in cases such as these.
How long do I have to join the lawsuit?
The case may be settled sometime in 2019, so it’s important you don’t sit on your rights. Act now.
I know others who might be eligible, can they also contact you?
Yes. Any potentially eligible claimants should contact us.
What do the earplugs look like?
Dual-ended 3M combat earplugs listed in this lawsuit are green (may appear black) on one side and yellow (may appear gold) on the other. They are often described as dual-sided and tapered. The earplugs are visually depicted in the image above.
How were the earplugs defective?
The dual-ended 3M combat earplugs listed in this lawsuit indicated a certain level of noise protection for the wearer. However, the basic function of the earplugs was faulty as they were too short to effectively block out noise. The earplugs could also loosen imperceptibly in the wearer’s ear, leaving them vulnerable. Both product design shortcomings exposed military personnel to damaging noise levels that contributed to hearing loss and/or tinnitus.
Still have questions about 3M defective combat earplugs? Our VA disability attorneys in Kalamazoo, MI, are dedicated to helping veterans just like you get the compensation they deserve. To schedule an appointment with The VA Disability Group, call 1-844-VET-LAWS.
