FOR LAWYERS

3M Combat Earplugs: The Biggest Mass Tort in US History

By
attorneyatlaw
/
September 7, 2021

When it comes to mass torts—a civil legal action involving many plaintiffs who have experienced a similar act of harm by the same defendants—asbestos, tobacco, and opioids are a few of the most well-known examples. But today, there’s one product that has become the focal point of the largest mass tort in U.S. history: 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 (CAEv2). 

What is 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Mass Tort Litigation About?

In 2008, 3M acquired a company called Aearo Technologies, which invented CAEv2 earplugs. The U.S. military purchased the earplugs from 2003 until 2015. In comparison to regular earplugs that have one end that’s inserted into the ear canal, CAEv2 was designed with a dual-ended feature.  

One end of CAEv2 was intended to allow military personnel to hear orders from commanding officers and to communicate with fellow soldiers while protecting their hearing. The other end of the combat earplugs was designed to protect soldiers from the loudest noises on the battlefield, and tens of thousands of soldiers used CAEv2 earplugs in the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns of the early 2000s. 

However, over 250,000 U.S. military veterans who served between 2003 and 2015 have alleged that 3M’s CAEv2 earplugs were faulty and caused them to develop hearing loss and/or tinnitus, a phantom ringing or buzzing sound in the ears. 

History of 3M Combat Arms Earplug Mass Torts

The design flaw became apparent after a 2016 whistleblower lawsuit filed on behalf of the U.S. government claimed that 3M knowingly sold the government faulty CAEv2 earplugs. 

The whistleblower lawsuit, filed by Moldex, a company that manufactures BattlePlugs, a brand of earplugs for soldiers and hunters available on the retail market, alleged that as early as 2000, 3M knew CAEv2 did not work as safely as the company claimed, and that 3M failed to disclose the design flaw to the U.S. military. 

Moreover, the whistleblower lawsuit alleged that 3M issued inaccurate noise reduction ratings for CAEv2. 

3M paid over $9 million to the Department of Justice to resolve the whistleblower lawsuit. But 3M denied the allegations and did not admit to any wrongdoing. None of the settlement fund was allocated to U.S. service members suffering from hearing loss and tinnitus, which are the two most prevalent service-connected disabilities among American veterans, according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Approximately three million veterans received disability payments for hearing loss and tinnitus, collectively, in 2017. After the settlement, a flood of 3M CAEv2 lawsuits were filed by veterans. 

Have There Been Any 3M Earplug Trials? 

As of September 2021, three cases that have been selected for bellwether cases in the 3M earplug multidistrict litigation (MDL) have gone to trial. 

Lawsuits are placed in an MDL when there are several related federal cases pending in different districts. Bellwether trials are carefully selected to help establish the facts for potential future trials.

In the first bellwether trial, three plaintiffs were awarded more than $7 million. A jury ruled in favor of 3M in the second trial, having found that CAEv2 earplugs did not cause a veteran’s hearing damage. The judgment of the third trial, announced June 18, went in favor of the plaintiff, who was awarded $1.7 million in damages. 

United States District Judge for the Northern District of Florida, Judge Casey Rogers, who is overseeing the 3M MDL, recently ordered thousands of 3M cases to be moved to the active docket.  

This move is intended to accelerate the discovery process for future cases and to alleviate a backlog of 3M earplug lawsuits. 

How To File a 3M Mass Tort 

If you served in the military between 2003 and 2015, you may still be able to file a 3M Combat Arms Earplug lawsuit. 

To search for an attorney to represent your case on contingency, use Attorney at Law.

At AAL, our nationwide network of attorneys and law firms allows us to match you with the best mass torts attorneys in your area. Our partners have unparalleled levels of experience, legal knowledge, and resources that place them on even footing with the largest corporations in the nation. 

Plus, all firms that partner with us take mass tort cases on contingency. That means if you don’t win, you don’t pay. Don’t wait. Contact AAL today for a free, no-obligation consultation and start your journey to justice.

Featured Mass Tort Lawyers

Patrick Flynn, Attorney at Law

24 years in practice
Mass Tort, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death
View Profile

The G Law Group, P.A.

10 years in practice
Birth Injury, Mass Tort, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Premises Liability
View Profile

Babiarz Law Firm, P.A.

28 years in practice
Auto Accidents, Mass Tort, Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect, Personal Injury, Premises Liability
View Profile

The Saenz Law Firm, P.A.

16 years in practice
Business Contracts, Employment Law
View Profile

Law Office of Jullian H. Jones, P.L.L.C.

3 years in practice
Criminal Defense
View Profile

Mainstay Law, LLC

11 years in practice
Business Law, Immigration Law
View Profile

Related Posts

What Is EVALI?
James ParkerNovember 12, 2021
Texas University Fined For Opioid Deaths
James ParkerDecember 15, 2021
Attorney At Law is changing how clients connect with lawyers. By providing an innovative platform to lawyers who want to expand their practice’s reach, AAL is bringing law practices into the future.
6142 Innovation Way
Carlsbad, California 92009
Some of the content of this website may be considered attorney advertising under the rules of certain jurisdictions. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.
crossmenuchevron-upchevron-down linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram