

This act allowed Modlex-Metric to sue 3M for fraudulent activity on behalf of the U.S. military and left our troops poorly protected.Ī competitor of 3M, Modlex-Metric began a whistleblower lawsuit under the False Claims Acts against 3M 4. 3M knowingly sold defective products to the U.S. As a result, 3M put many military troops at an increased risk of hearing loss and tinnitus. These medical expenses are associated with the aid given to veterans who suffer from hearing loss or tinnitus caused by the defective earplugs.ģM Company had the responsibility to perform appropriate tests or to redesign the earplugs but failed to do so. These monetary damages were paid because of the financial loss that the government will incur due to the purchase of these earplugs and various medical expenses. Fraudulent activities such as this would then be punished by the government who would demand damages be paid by 3M. There is also a complaint that 3M and Aearo Technologies manipulated test results to pass the minimum requirements of the U.S. Aearo Technologies was acquired by 3M in 2008 and was alleged to have known about the design defects in the year 2000. Tinnitus causes sounds that only the sufferer can hear which include 3:Īccording to the lawsuit, the 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms earplugs were manufactured by Aearo Technologies initially. Veterans who suffer from tinnitus experience life-changing consequences and find it difficult to perform daily tasks. The 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms earplugs were made to prevent these disabilities but have failed to do so. Due to their exposure to damaging levels of sound, veterans are at high risks of this type of hearing damage. The ability to hear correctly will gradually fade away.Ĭharacterized by irregular or continuous sounds in the ears such as ringing that varies in volume levels, tinnitus is an extremely prevalent health condition found among veterans 2. A person experiencing hearing loss may suddenly become sensitive to normal volume levels and begin to hear ringing in the ears. This condition will worsen as time goes on and it will become increasingly difficult to hear others speak. 3M’s military earplugs could potentially be responsible for hundreds of soldiers and veterans’ hearing damage cases. troops were given earplugs for this very reason but were being lied to by the manufacturing company. It is essential to follow hearing damage prevention techniques such as wearing ear protection. This condition could be long-term or in some case permanent. The most common health disability for military personnel and the third most common for U.S. Hearing damage and tinnitus are the most common health problems associated with veterans and providing troops with these earplugs will only make this issue worse.įull Size Infographic Showing the Harmful Affects of 3M Earplugs Claims of hearing damage and tinnitus have increased significantly due to this design defect. Soldiers wearing these earplugs would then be exposed to harmful levels of sounds such as gunfire, explosions, and machinery. This design, however, resulted in a short stem that did not go deep enough into the ear to provide adequate protection. These defective devices had a dual-ended design – one side of the earplugs allowed soldiers to hear speech and the other hand provided increased protection from dangerously high volumes. The 3M earplugs issued to soldiers on the frontlines did not perform as the company said they would.
#Dual ended combat arms earplugs full#
Troops deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq and had been issued 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs have to right to bring this manufacturer to court and use the full extent of the law to win compensation for their pain and suffering. military that were defective and did not provide full protection for soldiers. troops and veterans who have unfortunately found themselves in this situation.ģM knowingly sold earplugs to the U.S.

We are currently reviewing cases for U.S. The Eichholz Law Firm wants to help those who have suffered from hearing damage or tinnitus caused by the defective design of 3M Company’s military earplugs.
