Between 2003 and 2015, the 3M Company manufactured and supplied the military with earplugs to protect service men and women from loud noises in combat. These earplugs, however, were faulty. If you’ve sustained hearing damage from using 3M earplugs, you may be entitled to compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
At Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers in Philadelphia, PA, we proudly protect the rights of injured victims with over 80 years of combined experience at our disposal. Here is what you need to know about claims involving 3M earplugs and how our Philadelphia product liability lawyers can help you pursue one.
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How Our Philadelphia Product Liability Attorneys Can Help With a 3M Earplug Claim
The product liability team at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers can offer the legal assistance veterans need after suffering hearing damage due to using 3M earplugs. We have a proven track record of advocating for clients injured by someone else’s negligence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
When you turn to us, you can get qualified help with:
- Assessing your personal injury case
- Gathering evidence for your claim
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Preparing your case for trial if necessary
At Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, we have a policy of responding to all client calls within 24 hours. We also offer free consultations. If our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers take on your case, you can count on timely, exceptional service.
What To Know About 3M Earplug Claims
Aearo Technologies Inc. and parent 3M Company provided the military with 3M earplugs between 2003 and 2015. These earplugs were said to be able to protect service men and women from loud noises during training and combat. They were even standard issue in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2015, production of these earplugs stopped, but there were no recalls.
3M earplugs were dual-ended, claiming to allow service men and women to use them as traditional earplugs or to be used in an “on” position that decreased loud noises but made quieter sounds still audible. The problem with the 3M earplugs, however, was that they loosened in the wearers’ ears, allowing loud noises to damage hearing.
In August of 2023, lawyers reached a settlement of $6.01 billion to help veterans. This money will be paid out between 2023 and 2029. 3M is not admitting liability with the settlement.
Overview of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus in Veterans
As many as 52% of all combat veterans suffer from hearing damage. In fact, the top service-related medical issue for veterans is hearing injury.
Tinnitus affects up to 30% of all military veterans, which is twice the prevalence of the condition in the non-veteran population. More than 1.3 million veterans receive disability compensation for hearing loss, while 2.3 million veterans receive disability compensation for tinnitus.
The level of blast exposure that service people have to deal with can cause auditory processing disorders as well, even in veterans who have typical hearing test results. These processing disorders make understanding speech more difficult. Similarly, blast exposure can lead to a diminishing in sound tolerance.
Not only do hearing problems and tinnitus make understanding others more difficult, but they can lead to depression and anxiety. One study found that 72% of all veterans diagnosed with tinnitus also had a diagnosis of anxiety, while 60% had depression, and 58% had both mental health conditions. The rates of tinnitus in veterans more than tripled from 2001 to 2015.
If you were an active veteran and you used the 3M earplugs, you may be able to get compensation for your pain and suffering. Our Philadelphia personal injury attorneys can help you understand what the claim involves.
Hearing loss and tinnitus can impact your relationships, your work, and the rest of your life. It can also lower your quality of life, causing pain and suffering that is less simple to treat. By turning to a personal injury lawyer, you can receive knowledgeable guidance on how to properly file a claim so that you can seek the compensation you deserve.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Philadelphia Product Liability Lawyers To Discuss Your 3M Earplug Case
After serving your country, you should not be saddled with medical bills, a lower quality of life, and mental health concerns because of negligence on the part of the manufacturers of 3M earplugs.
But, this lawsuit involves many people, and proving product liability can be challenging since plaintiffs have to show that the product was defective. For these reasons and more, turning to a personal injury lawyer is the best thing you can do if you think you’re eligible for compensation.
Are you dealing with hearing loss after using 3M earplugs during your service? Trust the dedicated product liability team at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to handle your case while you focus on moving forward. Schedule your free consultation with our personal injury lawyers today at (215) 875-7030.
