Hundreds of military veterans have filed lawsuits against 3M alleging that their Combat Arms earplugs caused hearing loss and/or tinnitus. These products were defectively designed and manufactured and resulted in injury to potentially thousands of victims.
What are 3M Combat Arms Earplugs?
Combat Arms earplugs are two-sided earplugs that were manufactured for use by all branches of the military. They were intended to protect soldiers’ hearing from the loud noises they typically encountered while on duty. They were also intended to provide greater situational awareness to soldiers than regular foam earplugs. 3M Combat Arms earplugs were used by soldiers in all branches of the military between 2002 and 2016.
What is Wrong With 3M Combat Arms Earplugs?
It was discovered that the 3M Combat Arms earplugs contained a design defect that made them unsafe. The earplugs were too short to be properly inserted into the ear canal. As a result, the earplugs became dislodged and failed to provide adequate hearing protection. The dislodging of the earplugs was imperceptible, and users would not be aware that the earplugs were not doing their job. This left the user vulnerable to hearing loss and injury. There is evidence that 3M was aware of the defects in the earplugs and did nothing to warn the military.
What Types of Injuries Did 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Cause?
As a result of the failure of the earplugs to provide adequate protection for users, thousands of soldiers potentially suffered from significant hearing loss and/or tinnitus (ringing in the ears). In addition, millions of soldiers were at increased risk of hearing damage. Hearing damage can have a significant impact on a soldier’s well-being and way of life.
Who Was Affected by the Defective 3M Combat Arms Earplugs?
3M Combat Arms Earplugs were used by soldiers in all branches of the military between 2002 and 2016. This includes soldiers who fought in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.
What Should I Do If I Sustained Hearing Damage After Using 3M Combat Arms Earplugs?
If you were a soldier who sustained hearing damage after using 3M Combat Arms earplugs, you should act quickly to preserve your legal rights. An experienced product liability attorney like Gregg Goldfarb, can help. Contact him online or call 305-374-7000 to schedule a free consultation.