Aereo Inc, maker of 3M Earplugs May Have Known The Combat Safety Device Would Not Work

Army Earplug Lawsuit News

Military veterans who have used 3M Dual-Sided Combat Army Earplugs between the years 2003 and 2015 and who have suffered hearing loss, tinnitus, or any other type of hearing damage may want to speak with an Army hearing loss attorney to see if they qualify to file a claim for damages

Monday, February 3, 2020 - Founded in 1902, 3M Inc originally stood for Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing. The company started in Two Harbors, Minnesota and its initial line of business was mining mineral deposits to be used in grinding wheel abrasives and sandpaper products. Since then 3m has expanded to hundreds of businesses and is one of the country's leading military products suppliers. Over 2000 military veterans returning home from combat duty in Afghanistan and Iraq have filed lawsuits against the company alleging that the 3M Dual-Sided Combat Army Earplug that 3M sold to the military was defective and caused their hearing damage. Also, plaintiffs claim to have evidence in the form of internal company memos that prove that executives at 3M knew that the device would not work as advertised and ignored the responsibility to warn the US military. According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, lawsuits cite the earplug's original maker and 3M subsidiary, Aearo Inc., alleging that "the earplugs could slip and might not have been long enough to fully protect wearers from loud noises." Defective Army Earplug attorneys representing families and individuals nationwide, offer a free consultation before filing a claim.

3M is promising to defend itself in court and denies the charges that the earplugs are at fault and insist that the earplugs design "reflected the direction and feedback of individuals acting on the military's behalf." In a statement to the Star Tribune, 3M claims "We deny this product was defectively designed and caused injuries, and we will vigorously defend ourselves against such allegations." Such a point of view, however, is hard to reconcile when contrasted with the thousands of soldiers who returned home from overseas combat and also those who trained with firearms at military facilities who have suffered hearing damage including tinnitus, a continuous, permanent ringing in the ears. Since 2004, hearing loss and related conditions are the leading reasons soldiers have filed for disability income costing the US taxpayer billions. Explosive devices and rocket fire can cause instant traumatic brain injuries and hearing damage from the high decibel levels and concussion of the explosion.

Cases against 3M are being organized into a Multi-district litigation (MDL) in several states. To date, 150 cases are organized in Minnesota, 3M's home state, and over 1000 in Florida. In 2018, 3M settled a Department of Justice (DOJ), whistle-blower lawsuit against them for $9.1 million without admitting or denying guilt. The Aearo Inc. whistleblower filed the claim under the False Claims Act which allows employees of companies that do business with the government to act as consumer watchdogs and quickly, easily, and anonymously, report any suspected wrongdoing they find government contracts are awarded to private companies directly to the US Department of Justice. As an incentive, the whistleblower(s) receive up to 25% of the amount of any settlement.

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