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Camp Lejeune has served as a home base and training center for the Marine Corps since 1941. Activities both in training and in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan expose the Marines to loud, potentially damaging sound. To prevent harm, the military contracted 3M to produce earplugs designed to protect the wearers’ hearing. However, the Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2) that 3M supplied were defective and could have exposed the person to hearing loss.

A Camp Lejeune 3M hearing loss lawyer could help you to explore your legal options following hearing loss endured while serving in the military. 3M may carry civil liability for making a defective product and those affected by this negligence may be able to collect compensation for their losses with the help of a skilled defective products attorney.

The Role of Combat Earplugs in Causing Hearing Loss

The United States Government and the Marine Corps have long recognized the detrimental effect that military service could have on the hearing of their servicemembers. As a result, the government contracted 3M to produce a combat-rated earplug to protect the ears of their soldiers. 3M’s predecessor Aereo Technologies, Inc. issued the CAEv2 from 2003 through 2015. They designed these earplugs to allow normal hearing yet also to protect the wearer’s hearing from explosions.

A recent settlement has shown that these earplugs were defective, and 3M knew about it. These earplugs tend to not form a proper seal in the user’s ear that causes them to shift imperceptibly and fail to provide the necessary protection. This can result in a series of hearing problems ranging from ringing and tinnitus to permanent deafness. A Camp Lejeune 3M hearing loss lawyer could help servicemembers and who now suffer from damaged hearing evaluate the role of defective earplugs in their injuries.

Current and Future Legal Action Against 3M

Manufacturers such as 3M have a duty to produce a product that functions as advertised. If that product fails, and a user is injured, that user may demand compensation from a negligent manufacturer. The case of defective earplugs is no different.

The government believes that they failed to produce reliable earplugs. The United States Attorney General filed a lawsuit alleging a violation of The False Claims Act, alleging that 3M committed fraud in providing products they knew were defective. Rather than admit guilt in the matter, 3M settled the claim for $9.1 million to avoid litigation.

This settlement does little to help current and former servicemembers now suffering from hearing loss. These people must still file their own lawsuits to demand compensation. However, a settlement with the US government may serve as powerful evidence in a civil claim that 3M knew about the defect and therefore were negligent. A Camp Lejeune 3M hearing loss lawyer could help injured military personnel examine their legal rights and pursue civil claims needed to obtain compensation.

A Camp Lejeune 3M Hearing Loss Attorney Could Help

Suffering from damaged hearing after serving in the military could seriously impact your life. Even relatively minor damage that results in ringing could harm your quality of life. More serious situations could result in partial or total hearing loss.

The military contracted 3M to provide earplugs that were supposed to protect your hearing. Unfortunately, it has now come to light that the Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 were often ineffective at providing this protection. In fact, 3M has settled a complaint filed by the US government alleging fraud in this matter.

A Camp Lejeune 3M hearing loss lawyer could help if you suffered hearing loss after using defective earplugs during active duty. This can include seeking reimbursement for medical bills, compensation for any permanent hearing loss, and payments for loss of quality of life. Contact a lawyer today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.