3M Earplugs Lawsuit | Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2) Lawsuit
According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (Veterans Benefits Administration), as of 2020 “more than 1.3 million Veterans were receiving disability compensation for hearing loss, and more than 2.3 million received compensation for tinnitus”.
For those who served in the US Military between 2003 and 2015, the explanation for the hearing loss and tinnitus could be in the Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2) that were issued. Manufactured by Aearo Technologies (acquired by 3M in 2008), the earplugs allegedly had design flaws that were known by the makers before they started being used by military members.
Experiencing hearing loss and/or diagnosed with tinnitus? If you served in the US Military between 2003 and 2015, and used 3M’s Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2), you may deserve significant compensation. Contact Peiffer Wolf for a FREE Consultation by filling out an Online Contact Form or by Calling 504-523-2434 Today.
3M Earplugs Lawsuit | What happened?
From 2003 to 2015, the US Military started using a new earplug: 3M’s Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2). Designed by Aearo Technologies to allow for communication while protecting from loud noises, the device allegedly failed to protect. In fact, it is alleged that test results were manipulated to “hide design short comings”, and that the manufacturer also “failed to instruct the military in proper usage of the earplugs”. (Reuters)
In 2018, the Department of Justice announced that 3M had agreed to pay $9.1 million “to resolve allegations that it knowingly sold the dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2) to the United States military without disclosing defects that hampered the effectiveness of the hearing protection device. […] the United States alleged that 3M, and its predecessor, Aearo Technologies, Inc., knew the CAEv2 was too short for proper insertion into users’ ears and that the earplugs could loosen imperceptibly and therefore did not perform well for certain individuals. The United States further alleged that 3M did not disclose this design defect to the military.”
In 2020, the Veterans Benefits Administration (US Department of Veterans Affairs), released a report in which it listed more than 2.6 million veterans receiving disability compensation for hearing loss or tinnitus.
Experiencing hearing loss and/or diagnosed with tinnitus? If you used 3M’s Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2), you may deserve significant compensation. Contact Peiffer Wolf for a FREE Consultation.
3M Earplugs Lawsuit | Hearing loss and tinnitus
What is Tinnitus?
According to the American Tinnitus Association, “Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no actual external noise is present. While it is commonly referred to as ‘ringing in the ears,’ tinnitus can manifest many different perceptions of sound, including buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing, and clicking.”
What can cause hearing loss and tinnitus?
Also, according to the American Tinnitus Association, “Exposure to loud noises, either in a single traumatic experience or over time, can damage the auditory system and result in hearing loss and sometimes tinnitus as well. […] Noise induced hearing loss is sometimes unilateral (one ear only) and typically causes patients to lose hearing around the frequency of the triggering sound trauma.”
Both hearing loss and tinnitus have been linked to the use of 3M’s Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2), and are a known problem among veterans. To make matters worse, a research published in 2021, also by the VA, showed “that the likelihood of screening positive for PTSD, depression, or anxiety is increased for those reporting moderate to severe tinnitus”.
3M Earplugs Lawsuit | Do I have a case?
Experiencing hearing loss and/or tinnitus? If you served in the US Military between 2003 and 2015, and used 3M’s Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2), you may deserve significant compensation. Contact Peiffer Wolf for a FREE Consultation by filling out an Online Contact Form or by Calling 504-523-2434 Today.
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