March 28, 2022 — A jury in Florida has awarded $50 million to a U.S. Army veteran who suffered hearing loss while wearing 3M earplugs.
The plaintiff, Luke Vilsmeyer, served in the military for decades and alleges that he wore 3M’s Combat Arms Earplugs version 2 (CAEv2) during training, and later while serving as a howitzer gunner and a Green beret in the U.S. Army.
He claims that the earplugs failed to protect him from suffering permanent hearing loss.
Vilsmeyer’s award is the 2nd-largest jury verdict to date, following a $110 million verdict in January to two U.S. Army veterans who claimed that they suffered hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
The verdict is the 7th trial loss for 3M out of twelve trials. The company is still facing more than 280,000 claims from veterans who accuse 3M of selling defective CAEv2 earplugs.
Lawsuits allege that the earplugs could loosen and slip out, failing to protect the wearer from loud noises.
The earplugs were designed by Aearo Technologies LLC, a company that was later acquired by 3M, along with its liability for the earplugs.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida — Case Number 7:20-cv-00113.
Do I have a 3M Earplug Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting 3M earplug induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know is a U.S. military veteran who has been diagnosed with hearing loss or tinnitus, 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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