You may be eligible to file a Tylenol Autism ADHD Lawsuit / Acetaminophen Autism ADHD Claim if you or a loved one used Tylenol and/ or Acetaminophen during pregnancy, and your child was subsequently diagnosed with ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Over 140,000 Exactech hip, knee and ankle implants have been recalled due to packaging errors that can lead to the breakdown of parts vital to the device’s function.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries from an Exactech implant device, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
You may be eligible to file a Hair Straightener Cancer Lawsuit if you or a loved one used chemical hair straighteners, hair relaxers, or other similar hair products, and subsequently were diagnosed with:
Over one million people, who were present at Camp Lejeune (North Carolina) between 1953 and 1987, may have been exposed to toxic substances in the water.
The Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Lawsuit can apply to you, a family member, or a loved one who lived at Camp Lejeune (North Carolina) and suffered health effects from the decades of water contamination that occurred.
If you have been exposed to Paraquat and diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease may be eligible to pursue compensation, and entitled to participate in the paraquat lawsuit.
Contact us today to see if you qualify for the Paraquat Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit!
Our firm is about people. That is our motto and that will always be our reality.
At TorHoerman Law, we believe that if we continue to focus on the people that we represent, and continue to be true to the people that we are – justice will always be served.
If you were previously or are currently a U.S. military service member who used standard-issue 3M Combat Arms earplugs and you suffered a hearing-related injury such as hearing loss or tinnitus, you may qualify to participate in a 3M Combat Arms earplugs lawsuit.
Contact TorHoerman Law today to speak with a 3M Combat Arms Earplugs lawyer to determine whether you qualify for legal action now.
You can also use our chat-bot below to receive a free, instant online case evaluation.
In January 2021, a federal judge overseeing multidistrict litigation brought by service members sided with the two plaintiffs on which states’ laws should apply in their upcoming bellwether trials.
The servicemembers and vets were selected for an initial bellwether case pool in the multidistrict litigation, in which they say that 3M Co. supplied earplugs that were defective and didn’t protect against service-related tinnitus and hearing loss.
The average payout for 3M earplug lawsuit settlements differ from case to case and depend heavily on the specifics surrounding each servicemember’s injuries.
Based on 3M Combat Arms earplugs lawsuit settlements that have been disclosed so far, servicemembers who have suffered partial hearing loss have received settlements ranging from $50,000 to $300,000.
At this time, there is not enough public information available to determine the settlement range for more serious permanent hearing loss.
The 3M Earplug Lawsuit is ongoing. Lawyers are still speaking to potential clients about their eligibility for a 3M Earplug Lawsuit.
Recently, 3M’s strategy to offload its liabilities through the bankruptcy of Aearo Technologies has faced scrutiny from the judge overseeing the litigation. Aearo’s bid for bankruptcy was denied by the judge last year, but the two companies have not given up their fight to shield themselves from the hundreds of thousands of claims for defective earplugs that caused hearing problems for our nation’s bravest.
If you were previously or are currently a U.S. military service member who used standard-issue 3M Combat Arms earplugs and you suffered a hearing-related injury such as hearing loss or tinnitus, you may qualify to participate in a 3M Combat Arms earplugs lawsuit.
Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation. You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the 3M Earplug Lawsuit instantly.
3M will not be allowed to file bankruptcy and avoid the 230,000 personal injury claims filed by veterans for its defective earplugs, a bankruptcy judge ruled.
This is great news for those already involved in the 3M earplugs lawsuit and those considering legal action.
3M attempted to use the same legal strategy Johnson&Johnson implemented in March 2022. J&J’s utilization of the “Texas Two-Step” bankruptcy strategy allowed them to halt lawsuits and force cancer victims into settlement talks.
3M attempted to do somewhat the same, and Judge Jeffrey J. Graham saw it that Aearo Technology’s bankruptcy signaled that 3M shouldn’t be afforded the same relief from the thousands of lawsuits they’re currently facing.
The 3M Earplugs litigation is ongoing and lawyers across the country are still accepting clients.
3M announced that Aearo Technologies, the company that originally produced the Combat Arms Earplugs, is moving toward Chapter 11 Bankruptcy along with other 3M subsidiary companies.
3M is establishing a $1 billion trust to handle all legal proceedings related to the earplug defects.
Visit this page for more updates as they become available.
July 1st, 2022 Update
The 3M litigation is ongoing and lawyers across the country are still accepting clients.
This article is one of the most prominent pieces of journalistic criticism against 3M and provides an overview on the monetary cost incurred by the company.
While this is the largest mass tort in history, with over 100,000 lawsuits consolidated in multi-district litigation and more to be added, there hasn’t been as much media coverage as is expected.
This Wall Street Journal article could be a flashpoint that leads to more publication of this important lawsuit.
This follows a $2.2 million verdict awarded to a veteran in the 15th bellwether trial decided earlier in the month and a decision in favor of 3M in the 14th bellwether trial.
3M has won 6 of the 16 bellwether trials to date.
All others have resulted in significant monetary compensation to veterans.
What Are 3M Combat Arms Earplugs?
Between 2003 and 2013, 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 were the exclusive hearing protection product used in numerous military conflicts by all branches of the United States military, including the:
Navy
Army
Marines
Air Force
The 3M Arms Earplugs Version 2 was designed to protect against loud noises and hearing loss from gunfire, explosions, bombings, and vehicles.
Initially manufactured by Aearo Technologies, later acquired by 3M in 2008, the dual-ended combat arms earbuds were found to be defective after years of widespread use and distribution across the military.
Instead of blocking soundwaves, the earbuds were too short for proper insertion in the ear canal, causing them to loosen and not properly protect service members from potentially harmful sounds.
You may qualify for a 3M Combat Arms Earplugs lawsuit if you are a current or former service member, who served between 2003 and 2015, and suffer from:
Tinnitus
Hearing loss
Partial or total hearing loss
Do I Qualify to Participate in a Lawsuit?
In order to qualify to participate in a 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Lawsuit, you must meet the following:
Served in the US military between 2003 and 2015
Must have used military issued 3M Combat Arms earplugs during military service
Must have been diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral hearing loss
Must NOT have any of the following:
Waardenburg syndrome
Branchiootorenal syndrome
Stickler syndrome
Usher syndrome
Pendred syndrome
Alport syndrome
Otosclerosis
Meniere’s disease
If you meet these qualifications, contact a 3M Combat Arms earplugs lawyer from our firm to discuss your situation, free of charge and no obligation required.
3M Earplugs Defects
In 2003, the government issued an RFP, or government contract proposal, to Aearo Technologies to create an earplug that would be included in standard military gear.
The company falsely certified the Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 was up to the designated standards by confirming they had a certain noise reduction rating (NPR) and would protect military members from damaging sounds.
Proper testing was careless and negligent, yet the company confirmed to the government the earbuds tested at the required 22 NPR rate.
In reality, the noise-canceling side of the 3M earplug tested at an average rate of about -2 NPR, acting as an amplifier.
The flip-side of the earplug, which allows some noise to enter the ear, tested at 10.9 NPR, a vast difference in hearing protection from what was presented in fabricated test results.
Testing Showed Design Defect
During testing, results showed the 3M earplug, in fact, was not as effective as intended, not only because of the lower NPR rate, but also because of a design defect that caused them to loosen in the ear canal as a result of the earbud itself being too short to be properly inserted.
After acquiring Aearo, 3M hired Aearo employees, including developers, who were aware of the product defect through pre-market testing in 2000.
Aearo Technologies and its parent company 3M failed to acknowledge or notify the design defects to the United States government and consequently put the health of service members across military branches at risk.
The whistleblower lawsuit was resolved in July 2018 with 3M agreeing to pay a $9.1 million settlement, but it is far from the end for legal action against 3M for their defective earplugs.
Service Members Who Received Defective Earplugs
The defective earbuds were standard issue to all military personnel during the following military conflicts:
The Iraq War
War in Afghanistan
War in North-West Pakistan (part of War on Terror)
War in Somalia
Operation Ocean Shield in the Indian Ocean
American-led intervention in Libya (2011- part of Libyan Crisis)
American-led intervention in Iraq (2014 – 2017)
American-led intervention in Syria (2014 to present)
Yemeni Civil War (2015 to present)
American Intervention in Libya (2015 to present)
Do 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Cause Hearing Loss?
The 3M earplug was designed as an inverted cone shape, meant to be used in two different ways, signified by colors on either side of the plug.
The green side of the 3M earplug allows for some hearing at a slightly muted level, meant to be used in situations like using a radio or listening to a conversation.
The other, yellow end of the earbuds would provide more extensive noise protection, and is meant to be used in situations where hearing protection is crucial, such as when around gunfire, vehicles, explosions, and other loud noises.
A major defect with the 3M earplug was not disclosed to the government.
After providing the 3M earplug to servicemembers for years, the defect brought to light the significant hearing damage the earbuds could have caused to service members who used them.
Rather than being a hearing protector, a lack of proper insertion into the user’s ears caused irreparable hearing loss and disabilities.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, veterans who served overseas, specifically during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom between September 2001 and March 2010, were four times more likely to suffer from significant hearing loss than non-veterans.
According to the comprehensive 2017 Annual Benefits Report published by the Veterans Benefits Administration, auditory disabilities were the number two cause of treatment between 2013 and 2017.
In 2017, 3,101,223 men and women were treated for auditory disabilities.
Tinnitus and hearing loss are the top two service-connected disabilities treated by the Veteran’s Administration.
Tinnitus accounts for 7.7%, or 1,786,980 and hearing loss accounts for 5.0% or 1,157,585 of all disabilities.
However, the number of affected individuals may be higher because many do not report their injuries or seek treatment.
Proper protection for soldiers is vital when faced with life or death situations while protecting our country.
For companies that do business with the government, all should be providing properly made safety equipment for military members.
It seems that the 3M earplug did not meet these standards despite its extensive use throughout military branches.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a ringing or buzzing in the years.
While not considered a medical condition, it is an underlying cause of medical issues such as an ear injury or Auditory processing disorder (APD).
For military members who used the 3M Combat Arms Earbuds Version 2, tinnitus could be a result of permanent hearing damage from not being properly protected when around deafening noises while deployed during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.
If you believe you are suffering from tinnitus, hearing loss, or Auditory processing disorder (APD), contact a medical professional to diagnose your injuries.
Do 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Cause Tinnitus?
Yes.
Among the other hearing-related injuries associated with the 3M earplug, tinnitus is one of the injuries caused by the 3M earplug defect.
If you developed tinnitus during your time in the service, it could be the fault of 3M’s defective product.
You likely qualify to participate in the 3M Combat Arms Earplugs lawsuit.
Is Having a Hearing Aid Considered a Disability?
According to the ADA, hearing loss is considered a disability and individuals that suffer from permanent hearing loss can qualify for disability.
Whether you qualify for disability due to hearing loss depends on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the type of hearing loss, the severity of hearing loss, and whether the hearing loss is permanent.
The ADA offers a comprehensive hearing loss guideline to help determine your rights and whether you qualify as disabled.
Filing a 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Lawsuit
TorHoerman Law is proud to help our brave servicemen and women.
Our firm is currently filing a 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Lawsuit on behalf of servicemen and women who unfortunately suffered serious ear injuries during military combat as the result of 3M’s negligence and greed.
The VA recently reported that more than 2.6 million veterans are currently receiving disability compensation for tinnitus, partial or total hearing loss.
If you are currently serving or previously served in the US military, served at any point in time between 2003 to 2015, and you suffer from tinnitus, partial or total hearing, you may be eligible to participate in a 3M Combat Arms Earplugs lawsuit.
Contact us to talk with an attorney at TorHoerman Law today.
Be sure to follow the steps below in order to give your 3M earplug lawsuit the best chance at achieving justice and compensation.
Mitigate Your Injuries
The first and one of the most important steps in ensuring a strong case is tomitigate your injuries by seeking medical treatment and diagnosis right away.
Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders and do everything in your power to reduce the impacts of your injury.
Gather Evidence
Be sure to begin collecting all military service records and medical records as soon as possible –gathering evidence for your lawsuit is another important step in the process and is key to proving your damages.
Evidence will help to prove that your injuries resulted from 3M earplugs and that you suffered both economic and non-economic losses as a result.
Contact a 3M Earplugs Lawyer
Once you have begun to gather evidence, it is time to begin seeking legal aid.
You should also familiarize yourself with thesteps in the civil litigation process to have a better understanding of your role and your attorney’s duties.
Becausestatutes of limitations bar you from taking legal action after an allotted time, you should not hesitate to seek legal aid.
3M has already agreed to settlements with a number of service members who have suffered hearing loss, tinnitus, and other injuries linked to the 3M Combat Arms earplugs.
There are upwards of 250,000 pending 3M earplug lawsuits in multidistrict litigation.
What is the Average Payout For the 3M Earplug Lawsuit?
3M Earplug lawsuit settlements differ from case to case and depend heavily on the specifics surrounding each service member’s injuries.
Based on the 3M Combat Arms earplugs lawsuit settlements that have been disclosed so far, service-members who have suffered partial hearing loss have received settlements ranging from $50,000 to $300,000.
As time goes on, more information on settlement amounts will be available. Currently, there is not enough public information available to determine the settlement range for more serious permanent hearing loss.
The 3M Earplug Lawsuit: The Biggest Mass Tort in History
As millions used the 3M earplug and hundreds of thousands have filed lawsuits alleging hearing-related injuries, the case against 3M and its subsidiary Aearo Technologies is positioned to become the largest mass tort case ever.
Other Legal Action Against 3M
3M has been named in a number of lawsuits across the country over the years, paying out millions of dollars in settlements for environmental contamination, among other issues.
Coal miners have sued 3M, alleging that faulty or defective masks contributed to their pneumoconiosis, also known as black lung, diagnoses.
Financial Implications for 3M
3M is a widely recognized manufacturer of everyday consumer products, healthcare materials, safety equipment, and more.
Their annual revenue for 2021 was over $35 billion.
The financial impact this mass tort case against 3M may have on the company’s growth and market share could be troublesome.
According to Bloomberg, 3M’s stock valuation relative to its competitors implies a discount of about $33 billion due to its earplug lawsuits – 3M shares are worth 19% less than they were in July 2018.
After the most recent $110 million settlement, 3M stock prices fell 4% in the days following.
TorHoerman Law: Your 3M Combat Earplugs Lawyer
At TorHoerman Law, our team of 3M combat earplugs lawyers is experienced in all types of defective products lawsuits.
A 3M combat earplugs lawyer from TorHoerman Law is available to speak to any service member who believes that he or she has a potential 3M combat earplugs lawsuit, free of charge and no obligation necessary.
Contact TorHoerman Law to talk to a 3M combat earplugs lawyer now.
“Annual Benefits Report Veterans Benefits Administration Fiscal Year 2017.” Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2017, www.benefits.va.gov/REPORTS/abr/docs/2017_abr.pdf.
“Severe Hearing Impairment Among Military Veterans — United States, 2010.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 July 2011, www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6028a4.htm.
Bellwether Trial Date Set for Largest Mass Tort in History
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