Sauder Schelkopf filed a lawsuit against 3M for providing the US military and government contractors with allegedly defective earplugs between 2002 and 2015. It is alleged that the earplugs were found to be too short for proper insertion into users’ ears, putting users at risk for permanent hearing loss, impairment and tinnitus. The Department of Justice recently announced in July 2018 that 3M Company (3M) agreed to “pay $9.1 million to resolve allegations that it knowingly sold the dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2) to the United States military without disclosing defects that hampered the effectiveness of the hearing protection device.” The now-discontinued Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs were standard-issued equipment for Afghanistan and Iraq soldiers serving between 2002 and 2015. “Specifically, the United States alleged that 3M, and its predecessor, Aearo Technologies, Inc., knew the CAEv2 was too short for proper insertion into users’ ears and that the earplugs could loosen imperceptibly and therefore did not perform well for certain individuals. The United States further alleged that 3M did not disclose this design defect to the military.”
Experience Matters
Sauder Schelkopf has a nationally recognized litigation practice with significant experience
We Want to Hear from You
If you or a loved one suffered partial or total hearing loss and/or tinnitus after using 3M Combat Arms Earplugs, please submit your information below.