Are You Eligible For Compensation?

Here are the qualifications for an eligible person:

• • Did you actively serve in the U.S. Military between 2003-2015?
• • Were you issued Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs?
• • Were you diagnosed with or suffer from tinnitus or hearing loss?
• 
  

If the answer to these questions is yes, you may be eligible for compensation. Please contact our office today for a free consultation.

​ (504) 826-9427

Every day the men and women in our military put their lives on the line to protect our freedom.  They depend on equipment to enhance their performance when addressing our nation’s needs. It is being alleged that 3M Company put profits over the safety of our soldiers.  

The design of the earplug prevents a snug fit in the ear canal of the wearer, an inherent defect about which there was no adequate warning.  When inserted according to 3M’s fitting instructions, the edge of the third flange of the non-inserted end of the earplug presses against the wearer’s ear canal and folds back to its original shape, thereby loosening the seal in the ear canals and providing inadequate protection.  Because the earplugs are symmetrical, the standard fitting instructions will result in a loosening of the seal whether either side is inserted into the ear canal. The defective earplugs have not been recalled and therefore could very well be in continued use by soldiers and others.  

HEARING LOSS

3M’s defective Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs have caused severe hearing loss among members of the U.S. Military.  Hearing loss can be a devastating, long-term and permanent health condition. Hearing loss is often times an untreatable condition, and can have far-reaching implications for you and those close to you.  Untreated hearing loss is associated with lower quality of life, depression, social isolation, unemployment and lower earnings at work, higher medical bills for other health issues, high blood pressure and even a higher risk of dangerous trips and falls.   Symptoms of hearing loss may include the following:

• • Difficulty understanding everyday conversation

• • A feeling of being able to hear but not understand

• • Having to turn up the TV or radio

• • Asking others to repeat often

• • Avoidance of social situations that were once enjoyable

• • Increased difficulty communicating in noisy situations like restaurants, lively family gatherings, in the car or in group meetings

TINNITUS

Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears.  Tinnitus isn’t a condition itself, it’s a symptom of an underlying condition, such as an ear injury.  Tinnitus involves the sensation of hearing sound when no external sound is present. Symptoms of Tinnitus may include the following types of phantom noises in your ears:  

• • Ringing

• • Buzzing

• • Roaring

• • Clicking

• • Hissing

• • Humming

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can you call on behalf of a loved one?

Yes. We want to hear from you. You can call on a loved one’s behalf to see if they are eligible. This case evaluation will be completely FREE to you and your loved one.

Are you eligible?

You may be eligible if you or a loved one used Dual-Sided Combat Arms Earplugs between 2003 and 2015 and if you have been diagnosed with hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing of the ears) by a healthcare provider or are experiencing the above listed symptoms.

Cost?

You don’t pay anything unless you win.

What was the defect in the earplugs?

The earplugs were too short for proper insertion into the ear. The shortened length also left room for the earplugs to slide out of your ear allowing more sound to enter.

Background behind the 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs?

3M’s Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs were intended to protect the hearing of military personnel in two different ways. One end would protect their eardrum, but still allow some sound for speech. The other end was meant to block out greater noises.

Aearo Technologies manufactured the earplugs, 3M then acquired Aearo Technologies in 2008. Although, the earplugs’ defects had been known since 2000. 3M became the exclusive provider of such earplugs to the military. The design defect was not disclosed to the military before the contract was finalized. This left many veterans and authorities now believing that 3M was looking to profit from this contract more than to care for and protect our service men and women.

Justice for the Injured