Did you use 3M earplug while serving? Did you serve in the U.S. military between 2003 and 2015? Do you suffer from hearing loss or tinnitus? Did you receive a mail about a class action on the settlement to resolve claims about a defective military earplugs manufactured by 3M called Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs? This review will help you partake in the class action settlement after confirming the authenticity of the mail.
What Is 3M earplug lawsuit Class Action Settlement?
Between 2003 and 2015, thousands of U.S. service members received defective military earplugs manufactured by 3M called Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs.
An investigation by the Justice Department found that the 3M earplugs were too short for proper insertion into users’ ears, putting users at risk for permanent hearing loss, impairment and tinnitus.
In July 2018, Minnesota-based 3M Company agreed to pay $9.1 million to resolve allegations it knowingly sold defective earplugs to the government, though the company has admitted no wrongdoing in agreeing to the settlement.
The now-discontinued Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs were standard-issued equipment for Afghanistan and Iraq soldiers serving between 2003 and 2015.
What Is This Class Action All About?
A lawsuit has been filed against 3M Company over hearing damage allegedly incurred by military personnel and civilians due to 3M’s Combat Arms Earplugs. The suit claims the company failed to warn about the importance of properly inserting the earplugs, and as a result, the plaintiffs claim they developed hearing loss and tinnitus.
The complaint was filed in Minnesota’s District Court for the Fourth Judicial District in Hennepin County.
The department of justice announced in July 2018 that it had reached a $9.1 million settlement resolving allegations that 3M violated the False Claims Act by selling or causing defective 3M earplugs to be sold to the U.S. military.
Specifically, the DoJ alleged that 3M and its predecessor, Aearo Technologies, Inc, knew the Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 were too short to be properly inserted into users’ ears, allowing them to become loosened without the user knowing, therefore failing to perform proper noise cancellation and failing to provide effective hearing protection.
The DOJ alleged that 3M did not disclose this design defect to the military when the contract was finalized.
“The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the men and women serving in the United States military from defective products and fraudulent conduct,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Chad A. Readler of the Department’s Civil Division. “Government contractors who seek to profit at the expense of our military will face appropriate consequences.”
Who Is Eligible?
The settlement benefits all class members who suffered partial or total hearing loss and/or tinnitus after being issued 3M Combat Arms Earplugs between 2003 and 2015 in the U.S. military, you may be entitled to compensation.
How To Be Part of This Settlement
For a class member to partake in this settlement, they must submit their Valid claim on the settlement website.
What Is The Pay For This Settlement?
The pay for this settlement varies and the proof of purchase is not necessary.
Conclusion
As you submit your claim to the settlement website, just like EBT illegally exposed numbers class action settlement we have reviewed , you’re doing so under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim.
