3M has produced a range of earplugs that claim to have the capacity to protect the ears from dangerous sound levels. For obvious reasons, the U.S. military has a need for high-quality earplugs in order to protect service members from suffering hearing loss due to extremely high volumes.
Dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2, were supplied to the U.S. military by 3M. They were marketed as extremely robust devices that would protect those in combat from hearing loss. Despite assurances that the earplugs met military specifications, 3M had evidence that they were defective. That meant military service members were suffering harm due to exposure to high noise levels without adequate hearing protection.
Furthermore, 3M Company was found to have knowingly sold the Combat Arms Earplugs with defects that reduced their effectiveness. The behavior of the company was found to be extremely negligent, and the company was ordered to pay $9.1 million in order to resolve the allegations.
If you have used 3M Combat Arms Earplugs and you believe that you have suffered adverse effects as a result, you may be able to make a claim for damages. Before doing so, you should be aware of the most common symptoms of hearing damage, and learn more about how to take appropriate action.
What are the most common symptoms of hearing damage?
Exposure to high volumes for extended periods of time can lead to hearing problems that occur gradually. You may start to experience ringing in your ears, especially when you are in silence. Additionally, you may feel the need to turn the volume up when listening to music or the television in order to make the sound clearer. You may also find hearing especially difficult when there is background noise.
How can I take action to file a claim?
In order to file a claim, you and your legal team must be able to document the ways in which you have suffered as a direct result of using 3M’s defective earplugs. This may mean getting statements from your doctors to show how your hearing has declined. It may include evidence from family or friends about how hearing loss has affected your life. There are many ways to gather and present this evidence with the right experience.
Make sure that you understand the law in Missouri before taking action to stand up for your legal rights. Speak to an attorney about holding 3M accountable for the harm you have suffered.
