July 27, 2022 — 3M has created a $1 billion fund to pay military veterans who suffered hearing loss despite wearing the company’s earplugs.
Lawyers for the victims have called the trust “woefully underfunded,” estimating that only about $4,200 would be paid out in each case.
3M also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for Aearo Technologies, a company that created the earplugs and was acquired by 3M in 2007.
3M said it would create a $1 billion trust to pay hundreds of thousands of people who claim that its Combat Arms Earplugs version 2 (CAEv2) earplugs were defective and caused them to suffer hearing loss.
The money would provide compensation for approximately 235,000 people who have filed claims, or have claims on an administrative docket, according to 3M.
The announcement comes 3 years since the start of the litigation, in which juries have ordered 3M to pay compensation in 10 trials.
The most recent case, decided in May 2022, ended in a $77.5 million jury verdict. In total, around $300 million has been awarded to 13 veterans who blamed 3M for causing their hearing loss and tinnitus.
Do I have a 3M Earplug Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting 3M earplugs induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with hearing loss or tinnitus after using defective 3M earplugs in the military, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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