Call Us (313)-Get Help | 313-438-4357
Michigan Personal Injury Lawyers
  • Case We Handle
    • Car Accidents
    • Truck Accidents
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Dog Bites
    • Birth Injuries
    • Slip and Falls
    • Nursing Home Negligence
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Wrongful Death
    • Mass Torts
    • All Practice Areas
  • Locations
    • Ann Arbor
    • Bloomfield Hills
    • Detroit
    • Flint
    • Grand Rapids
    • Lansing
    • Mount Clemens
    • Petoskey
    • Saginaw
    • Sterling Heights
    • Troy
    • Traverse City
    • Warren
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Our Attorneys
    • Thomas L. Stroble
    • Paul J. Tafelski
    • Peter Verros
    • Nick Kyriakopoulos
    • Michael E. Sawicky
  • Resources
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Common Types of Insurance Coverage
    • What Your Attorney Does on Your Behalf
    • Avoiding Admissions of Fault
    • Checklist For Auto Accident Victims
    • Understanding The Claims Process
    • What Will Happen If Your Case Goes To Trial?
    • How Does Michigan’s No-Fault Law Affect My Claim?
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

3M Defective Earplugs Attorneys

Michigan Injury Lawyers  ►  3M Defective Earplugs Lawyer

On July 26, 2018, 3M Corporation agreed to a $9.1 million settlement with the U.S. government for its role in selling faulty earplugs to U.S. military personnel. Members of the military who wore them between 2003 and 2015 may suffer from permanent hearing loss due to defects not found during the earplug production process.

Those suffering from these defective earplugs are not alone. Others experiencing hearing abnormalities have consulted with Michigan Injury Lawyers in Grand Rapids, and we urge you to as well. We serve this community and surrounding areas with dignity and fairness in all legal matters.

Contact our firm today to consult with an attorney versed in 3M Corporation litigation.

Michigan Injury Lawyers Has Experience in 3M Earplugs Litigation

Michigan Injury Lawyers has a proficient team of lawyers who will fight for you to seek justice on your behalf and obtain fair compensation for your hearing damage.

In this and other product liability claims, our experience representing clients who have been injured due to the negligence of others is unparalleled.

We have recovered money for clients in personal injury and product liability claims where negligence was proven to cause injury or death. Our representation in your case will increase your chances of settling your claim favorably, and for every penny your injury is worth.

3M Earplugs claims will start with a thorough case evaluation to determine the extent of damage that 3M Company could be responsible for. This consultation is at no cost to you.

The Defective 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Suit

The case, United States ex rel. Moldex-Metric v. 3M Company, Case No. 3:16-cv-1533-MBS (D.S.C.), highlights over a decade of 3M Company Combat Arms Earplug V2 (CAEv2) sales to members of the Armed Forces which were to become standard issue hearing protection for service members who needed them. These dual-sided earplugs provided military members the option to either block out all sound (color coded black), or hear low-pitched verbal commands while shielding their eardrums from higher decibel noises (color coded yellow).

Due to a design flaw, the earplugs would loosen to the point of inadequate hearing protection, oftentimes unbeknownst to the military member. Since they were used near aircraft and on shooting ranges, hearing damage cases gradually grew in military members who bought them between 2003 and 2015.

The $9.1 million settlement resolves allegations brought to the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions found in the False Claims Act of 1863. Under the Act, private citizens may file suit against a company on behalf of the government where false claims were made to secure government contracts or procure government funds. Per an agreement with the DOJ, the whistleblower will receive $1,911,000.

The July 2018 settlement, in addition to resolving whistleblower allegations, also resolves allegations that 3M Company, along with its predecessor, Aearo Technologies, knowingly and willingly violated the False Claims Act by providing the Defense Logistics Agency product they knew to be defective. The short design was too small to fit into even the smallest human ear canal, and 3M failed to disclose this flaw.

What Are the Effects of These Defective Earplugs?

Earplugs are designed to fit comfortably in your inner ear and, depending on the environment where they will be used, can reduce sound pressure on the ears so the user can work or perform duties without permanently damaging their hearing.

According to the DOJ lawsuit, CAEv2 plugs failed to adequately protect military members when working or doing routine drills near higher decibel sounds such as mortar explosions, gunfire, aircraft and larger equipment that generated loud sounds. Humans have sound receptors located in their inner ear that, when damaged, can cause tinnitus.

Tinnitus gives us the sensation of hearing sound where no sound is present, otherwise considered “phantom noises”. You may hear buzzing, humming, ringing, clicking or hissing sounds in areas where no sounds exist.

Many cases of tinnitus are annoying yet temporary, although sustained exposure to high-pitched sounds may aggravate tinnitus. In other words, a slight hissing could seem like a loud roar in your ear after prolonged exposure to loudness.

You may also experience:

  • Constant fatigue;
  • Anxiety for unknown reasons;
  • Memory problems;
  • Sleep deprivation;
  • Difficulty concentrating;
  • Pain or difficulty hearing normal sounds in close proximity;
  • Depression;
  • Anxiety; and
  • General irritability.

We Will Hold 3M Liable On Your Behalf

Michigan Injury Lawyers has succeeded in many product liability claims where individuals received items that did not function as advertised. Our firm believes that our military personnel should hold 3M Company liable for deficient earplugs, and any ensuing hearing damage to the affected military members.

A product liability suit may allege that:

  • 3M Company had prior knowledge of the potential design flaws in their CAEv2 earplugs, yet sold them to a military contractor who, in turn, issued them to military members between 2003 and 2015;
  • 3M (Aearo Technologies) knew as early as 2000 that earplugs failed to provide adequate noise cancellation, and there were few if any benefits of issuing these to military members; and
  • 3M failed to disclose this vital information for the benefit of securing a signed contract with the U.S. government.

If you served in the U.S. Military, regardless of branch, from 2003 to 2015, and you were issued 3M Combat Arms Earplug V2 (CAEv2), your hearing may gradually deteriorate. If that damage is connected to your service time, you may be entitled to compensation from 3M Company. This includes personnel deployed to heavy combat zones in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Contact Michigan Injury Lawyers

Our military protects the many freedoms enjoyed by American citizens, including the executives at 3M Company. When products fail to protect them, and another individual or company knows they will fail to work, a defective product claim is born.

Were you or your loved one a member of the military during the settlement period of 2003 to 2015, and are you experiencing hearing loss? A ringing sensation that will not subside? Contact Michigan Injury Lawyers to discuss your situation and legal options, including any rights you may have to compensation. Call (888) 454-0801 or write to us today.

Get the Compensation You Deserve with Michigan Injury Lawyers

“I am very appreciative of all the work that Michigan Injury Lawyers has done for me. They have given the highest level of attention to my case. Thank you so much for bringing closure and significantly impacting my life in such a positive way.”

- Andrew (Client)

“Michigan Injury Lawyers was very attentive to all of my needs. I always received prompt responses and knew exactly what was going on. I would highly recommend them.”

- Janel (Client)

“The best law firm around. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

Paul (Client)

“Tom is a great lawyer who treated me extremely well! My case wasn’t a big one, but you couldn’t tell by the attention it got.”

- Mike (Client)

“Thank you so much for everything you did for our family! We appreciate it all so much and will continue to keep you and your business in our minds in the future. Thank you again.”

- Danielle (Client)

“Thank you for being so supportive and professional.”

Jennifer (Client)

“Thank you for a great job handling my matter. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.”

- Kelli (Client)

“Thank you, Michigan Injury Lawyers. We are forever grateful for what you have done.”

- Scott (Client)

“After calling around to many law firms, with nobody willing to even listen to me, Michigan Injury Lawyers listened to my story and got results better than I even expected. I can not thank them enough for what they have done for me.”

- Maria (Client)

“The people of Michigan Injury Lawyers are always friendly, courteous, and professional.”

- Philip (Client)

“Your integrity, highly skilled professional knowledge, and empathy make you the very best in the field. As a client, I couldn’t thank you enough for that. It’s been a pleasure to work with you.”

- Dave (Client)

Table of Contents

  • Michigan Injury Lawyers Has Experience in 3M Earplugs Litigation
  • The Defective 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Suit
  • What Are the Effects of These Defective Earplugs?
  • We Will Hold 3M Liable On Your Behalf
  • Contact Michigan Injury Lawyers

Locations

Flint Personal Injury Attorneys

503 S. Saginaw Street,
Flint, Michigan 48502

Telephone: 810-922-2820

Fax: (248) 456-8470

Map & Directions

Bloomfield Hills Personal Injury Lawyers

2525 S Telegraph Rd suit 100,
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

Telephone: (313) 438-4357

Fax: (248) 456-8470

Map & Directions

Mount Clemens Personal Injury Attorney

40 Macomb Pl #203,
Mt Clemens, MI 48043

Telephone: (586) 480-5906

Fax: (248) 456-8470

Map & Directions

Detroit Personal Injury Lawyers

400 Monroe St Suite 238,
Detroit, Michigan 48226

Telephone: (313) 513-0775

Fax: (248) 456-8470

Map & Directions

Lansing Personal Injury Lawyer

1223 Turner Rd #333,
Lansing, MI 48906

Telephone: (517) 418-6927

Fax: (248) 456-8470

Map & Directions

Petoskey Personal Injury Lawyer

511 Michigan St,
Petoskey, MI 49770

Telephone: 231-310-1735

Fax: 248-456-8470

Map & Directions

Traverse City Personal Injury Attorneys

340 E State St ste 4c,
Traverse City, MI 49684

Telephone: (231) 261-2686

Fax: (248) 456-8470

Map & Directions

Mount Clemens Car Accident Lawyer

40 Macomb Pl #203,
Mt Clemens, MI 48043

Telephone: (586) 480-5906

Fax: (248) 456-8470

Map & Directions
  • About Us
  • Cases We Handle
  • Resources
  • Locations
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2024 Michigan Injury Lawyers, Personal Injury Lawyers, All Rights Reserved. | Disclaimer | Resources | Site Map

Get Help Today

Fill out the short form to get a free consultation.

By providing your phone number, you agree to receive text messages from Michigan Injury Lawyers. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.