Following up to our recent post regarding a judge denying 3M’s request for discovery, a massive $2.2M verdict has just been awarded last week due to defects in 3M’s CAEv2 earplugs, which was found to have resulted in the Plaintiff’s hearing loss. The Plaintiff, a Florida veteran who has used a hearing aid since 2012, used 3M’s faulty earplugs while serving a tour of duty in Iraq.
In addition to the Plaintiff’s hearing loss, the jury awarded $2million for Plaintiff’s past and future pain and suffering, emotional stress, inconvenience, and impairment of quality of life, with an additional $200.000 award for physical impairment. The verdict form also stated that the company was negligent and fraudulently concealed and distorted facts about the earplugs.
Why The Ruling Matters | 3M Combat Earplugs
The ruling follows several high-profile verdicts this year. This includes $110 million awarded to two army veterans in January and a $50 million verdict for another Army veteran which was awarded in March.
With over 280,000 service members currently involved in the multidistrict litigation due to hearing damage, this is another positive step for those who may be eligible to receive compensation. There are nearly 1,000 cases that were ordered to be prepared for trial this year alone. So far, nine bellwether trials have awarded more than $220 million for the plaintiffs.
There is Still Time to File a Claim
If you suffer from tinnitus and/or hearing loss, were a DOD contractor, served in the United States military or in the reserves between 2003 and 2015, and used the dual-ended Combat Arms Earplug (CAEv2) during service, you may be entitled to compensation.
Our team at Oppenheim Law recognizes the emotional burden these impairments have on individuals and their lives. That is why our firm provides a team of professionals committed to zealously represent our clients.
Please feel free to contact us at (954) 384-6114 so we can inform you of your legal rights so you can obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
From the trenches,
Roy Oppenheim
