Hearing Loss Among Military Servicemembers

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Were you or someone you know in the military between 2003 and 2015? If so, you may have been issued defective earplugs by 3M. The dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2) were sold by 3M to the United States Military and given to military members between 2003 and 2015. In July 2018, the Department of Justice announced that 3M agreed to pay $9.1 million to settle a False Claims Act lawsuit, alleging that 3M knowingly provided defective earplugs to the United States military. It is important to note that this settlement is seperate from any claims that servicemembers may have against 3M. The 9.1 million figure is merely what 3M paid to the Department of Justice.

The False Claims Act lawsuit found that the 3M earplugs were too short for proper insertion, causing them to loosen in the user’s ear to the point that they were not effective at reducing sound. This put our servicemembers at risk for permanent hearing loss and tinnitus.

As a result of the defects in the earplugs, many servicemembers and veterans now suffer from tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and hearing loss. The attorneys at Enzor & Maniscalco are investigating potential claims against 3M on the behalf of servicemembers and veterans. If you or a loved one served between 2003-2015, in any branch, stateside or abroad, and has tinnitus or hearing loss; you may have a claim. To see if you have a claim, call the attorneys at Enzor & Maniscalco at 256-770-7232. The consultation is free, even if you end up not having a claim.