<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none;" alt="" src="https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=2941673&amp;fmt=gif">
09/10/2020

3M Lawsuit Update

Brian Beckcom

Brian Beckcom

09/10/2020

3M is accountable for knowingly selling defective earplugs to the U.S. Government from 2003 to 2015. Litigation against 3M Corporation on behalf of injured veterans remains ongoing. 3M intentionally put the lives of the U.S. military at risk by providing them with faulty products. The dedicated military personnel who are training and in combat, fighting for our country, were not treated with the respect and protection that they deserve.

As members of the U.S. military used their defective earplugs, they were exposed to loud noises that harmed their ear drums and left lasting effects. Service members suffered from hearing loss, loss of balance, and tinnitus, which causes depression, anxiety, and PTSD in veterans.

In July of 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that 3M Corporation agreed to pay $9.1 million to settle a whistleblower False Claims Act lawsuit. The lawsuit accused 3M of knowingly selling defective earplugs to the U.S. military.

Now that the lawsuit between 3M and the government has been settled, 3M is now facing separate federal multi-district litigation lawsuits. As a part of the federal multi-district litigation lawsuit against 3M, there have been nearly 140,000 claimants nationwide that are registered in connection with the 3M litigation. These cases were moving fairly quickly but unfortunately, due to coronavirus, they are slowing down. Cases are still proceeding forward, just at a limited rate.

A federal multi-district lawsuit was established to centralize all of the 3M earplug hearing loss claims. In a multi-district lawsuit (MDL), each plaintiff has an individual lawsuit against 3M. MDLs are purposely designed to consolidate hundreds, or in this case thousands, of similar cases in front of one court to increase efficiency as well as saving money and resources. One judge manages the litigation throughout the pretrial and discovery process.

How we can help

The company’s decision to sell earplugs they knew were defective has resulted in hundreds of thousands of soldiers and veterans being diagnosed with hearing loss and tinnitus. Hearing issues are the most common disability for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, studies show that hearing loss and tinnitus are linked to PTSD, depression, and anxiety in veterans.

The attorney you work with will have a significant impact on your experience. We have experience standing up to 3M and demanding justice. We have an extensive Dangerous and Defective Products practice, which is focused on getting results for our clients.

Every injured veteran deserves justice. It is not too late to file your lawsuit against 3M. We will fight for you. Contact us today. 

 

1 Comment