Fort Lauderdale 3M Earplug Attorney

Defective 3M Earplug Lawsuit in Florida

From 2003 to 2015, a type of military earplug known as Combat Arms served as standard-issue military equipment for all branches of the U.S. military. Manufactured by Minnesota-based company 3M, the earplugs were intended to protect military service members from harmful and potentially permanently damaging loud noises, such as explosive blasts and gunfire. Unfortunately, the design of 3M's Combat Arms earplugs has been shown to be defective, resulting in countless service members suffering significant and irreversible hearing loss and other hearing-related conditions, including tinnitus. At the Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A., our defective product attorneys are currently accepting product liability cases involving 3M earplugs. As of December 2020, more than 203,722 claimants have taken legal action in relation to 3M earplug litigation, making this one of the largest class actions in United States history. We are proud to represent active military service members and veterans who have risked their lives for our country only to be negatively impacted by 3M's failure to create and distribute a safe, effective product. Our team is ready to stand with you and fight for the fair recovery you are owed.

Contact us online or call our office today at 800-555-4011 for a free consultation. We are available 24/7.

How Are 3M Earplugs Defective?

Originally designed by Aearo Technologies, the Combat Arms earplugs had a unique, dual-function design. When inserted one way, the earplugs were meant to block consistent loud noises, such as aircraft. When inserted the other way, the earplugs were supposed to significantly reduce "peak" high-level noises, including explosions. Ostensibly, this design allowed service members to filter out damaging high-level noises while still being able to hear lower-level sounds, such as approaching vehicles and commands. Unfortunately, the design of the earplugs had several flaws. For one thing, they were too small to be carried in the standard Army carrying case. For another, they caused issues with the fit of some military helmets due to their size. To combat these problems, the earplugs were redesigned to be shorter—but while this solved the fit issues, it also had serious repercussions. Due to the shortened designed, the Combat Arms earplugs were essentially rendered ineffective. Service members were often unable to insert them correctly, meaning the earplugs did little—if anything—to block harmful noises. Often, they would fall out altogether. This left service members completely unprotected.

Hearing Problems Associated with 3M Earplugs

As a result of their flawed design, the Combat Arms earplugs caused hundreds of thousands of military service members to suffer a wide range of hearing-related issues. These include:

• Partial hearing loss
• Total hearing loss
• Tinnitus (persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears)
• Deafness
• Permanent hearing damage

Who Is Liable?

Investigations have revealed that 3M knew about the flawed design of the Combat Arms earplugs—yet did nothing to rectify it. After purchasing Aearo Technologies in 2008, 3M continued supplying the earplugs to the U.S. military without providing any warnings about the ineffectiveness of the equipment's design. As a result, the company can be held legally liable for the resulting injuries and damages under product liability laws. Product liability is an area of personal injury law that states that product manufacturers and distributors are responsible for creating reasonably safe products that work correctly and as advertised. When products contain design flaws, manufacturing defects, or missing warning labels, or when they do not work as they are advertised or intended, the manufacturer and/or distributor is liable.

Are You Eligible to File a 3M Earplug Lawsuit?

You could be eligible to bring a claim or take part in a class action lawsuit if you:

• Served in the U.S. military between 2003 and 2015
• Were exposed to loud/high-level noises while serving
• Wore the Combat Arms earplugs
• Suffered hearing damage or a hearing-related condition

At the Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A., our Fort Lauderdale 3M earplug lawsuit lawyers can help you determine if you have grounds for a case. We are dedicated to protecting your rights and fighting for the fair compensation you are owed. Depending on the specifics of your situation, you could be eligible to receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, lost quality of life, pain and suffering, and more.

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

Because we truly care about our clients and their recoveries, we make it our top priority to provide personalized attention throughout the legal process. When you trust your case to our legal team, you receive dedicated, one-on-one guidance and consistent communication regarding the status of your case. Our Fort Lauderdale 3M earplug attorneys are well-versed in the many complexities and nuances of these types of cases, and we are prepared to take on large manufacturers and their defense teams. To learn more, contact our office at 800-555-4011.