250,000 Veterans Agree to $6 Billion Settlement with 3M over Earplugs Alleged to Cause Hearing Loss

Article Title: 250,000 Veterans Agree to $6 Billion Settlement with 3M over Earplugs Alleged to Cause Hearing Loss

Article Excerpt: "...The cases revolved around 3M's Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2, that were issued to troops between 2003 and 2015. The earplugs were dual-sided with one side meant to block out all sound and the other meant to protect from loud sounds such as explosions while letting the user hear soft noises such as speech. ...Some settlement payments were already issued earlier this year, but the bulk will be paid out on a rolling basis through 2029. Under the terms of the settlement, the exact amount each claimant will get will be based on their medical records."

Reference Source: www.military.com

3M Starts Issuing Payments to Veterans in $6 Billion Settlement Over Earplugs

Article Title: 3M Starts Issuing Payments to Veterans in $6 Billion Settlement Over Earplugs

Article Excerpt: "...settlement began in 2016 with a lawsuit from 3M’s competitor, Moldex-Metric, which alleged that 3M sold “dangerously defective” Combat Arms earplugs, standard issue to certain branches of the U.S. military during foreign conflicts between 2003 and 2015, including in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, without disclosing a defect that “likely caused thousands of soldiers to suffer significant hearing loss and tinnitus.”..."

Reference Source: time.com

3M settles yearslong earplug litigation for $6 billion with military service members

Article Title: 3M settles yearslong earplug litigation for $6 billion with military service members

Article Excerpt: "3M said its Combat Arms earplugs are safe. But military veterans and active personnel have claimed they are the cause of hearing loss and tinnitus. ...Civil litigation expert Alexandra Lahav said it looks like a good deal for 3M, but it remains to be seen whether it's a good deal for the plaintiffs. "I cannot say if this is fair to claimants. Let's wait and see the terms and what claimants say about it before judging that," said Lahav, a professor at Cornell University. ..."

Reference Source: www.startribune.com