Hundreds of veterans are filing lawsuits against a government contractor that manufactured and sold defective combat earplugs to the military.
The earplugs didn’t maintain a tight seal and allowed dangerously loud sounds to slip through without the wearer knowing.
The lawsuits allege that Minnesota-based 3M Company designed the earplugs in a defective manner and failed to warn users of the defect or to provide proper instructions for their use, according to a copy of one lawsuit provided to Military Times.
The failure allegedly resulted in hearing loss, tinnitus and loss of balance in those who used 3M’s trademarked, dual-ended Combat Arms earplugs during their military service between 2003 and 2015.
The Lawsuits were filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas — Waco Division.
One hundred lawsuits were filed by two Houston-based law firms: Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz and Bell, Rose & Cobos.
“Referrals welcome with fee sharing possibilities.”