Are you a current or former member of the United States military who served during 2003 and 2015? Do you suffer from noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus? Where you issued 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 to help protect your hearing? If you answered yes, then you need to call the law office of Phipps, Deacon, Purnell PLLC today to see if you are eligible for financial compensation because of the dual-ended earplug lawsuit.
What is the Dual-Ended Earplug Lawsuit?
In July of 2018 the Department of Justice announced that a settlement had been reached with the Minnesota-based 3M Company for a total of $9.1 million. The settlement is a result of the dual-ended earplug lawsuit that alleges that their 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 had defects that could decrease how effective they were. It also says that 3M and the original manufacturer Aearo Technologies, which was purchased by 3M in 2008, knew of these defects and did not disclose the information to the proper agency when the contract for the earplugs was finalized. The dual-ended earplug lawsuit also claims that both companies changed test results so that the earplugs appeared to meet government standards.
The dual-ended earplug lawsuit suggests that the 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 were too short to be properly inserted into some of the user’s ears. This meant, the earplugs did not seal properly or, without the user knowing, became loose allowing for the noises they were supposed to prevent to enter the ear. Thus, the earplugs may not have served their purpose and may have caused noise-induced hearing loss and/or tinnitus.
As part of the settlement from the dual-ended earplug lawsuit those military members that were issued the 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 between 2003 and 2015 and suffer from hearing problems could get monetary compensation.
What is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus?
Noise-induced hearing loss is hearing impairment caused by loud sounds. Hearing loss can occur over time by repeated contact with loud sounds such as loud music or constant loud background noise. It can also occur suddenly because of short noise, also known as impulse noise. Impulse noises are things like a gunshot or an explosion. Because the hearing cells in the ears are sensitive both repeated sounds and impulse noise can injure them or cause the cells to die. Once someone suffers from noise-induced hearing loss the damage is permanent and cannot be fixed.
If you have not completely lost your hearing, you could still be suffering from noise-induced hearing loss and could still join the dual-ended earplug lawsuit. Some people who suffer from this form of hearing loss may not have lost all their hearing, instead, they may no longer hear certain frequency ranges, or they could have developed a sensitivity to sound.
Tinnitus is a symptom that is most commonly caused by noise-induced hearing loss. When you can hear a sound when there is no outside sound you are suffering from tinnitus. Many times, this is described as a ringing in the ears, but it can also sound like a roaring, clicking or hissing. A lot of the time, this is diagnosed simply by the sufferer’s description or one of several questionnaires that can help determine the severity.
Both noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus could be caused by the defective 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2. Since the earplugs were found to not always block out the intense noise that they were meant to they could have played a role in your hearing issues. So, if you suffer from any of the above symptoms or conditions call the law office of Phipps, Deacon, Purnell PLLC right now to see if you qualify for compensation.
There will be no effect on your VA benefits if you join the dual-ended earplug lawsuit. Since the lawsuit is to seek damages from 3M, not the US government and the payments are coming directly from 3M not the Department of Defense there is no risk to the VA benefits you are entitled to. This means there is no reason to delay discussing your claim with a professional, knowledgeable attorney who has your interests in mind.
The law office of Phipps, Deacon, Purnell PLLC can provide you with further information regarding the dual-ended earplug lawsuit and what you may be entitled to. They are in the San Antonio, TX area near numerous military bases including:
- Fort Bliss
- Camp Bullis
- Fort Hood
- Randolph Air Force Base
- Fort Sam Houston
- Brooks City Base
- Lackland Air Force Base
- Naval Air Station
- Corpus Christi
But they are not limiting their services only to those who served or are serving on these bases. No matter where you are located, or which base you served or continue to serve on, Phipps, Deacon, Purnell PLLC want to represent you in the dual-ended earplug lawsuit. They will assess each case on an individual basis and represent any service member or veteran that may be eligible for compensation no matter where they are in the United States.
As a valued member of the United States Armed Forces you should have been able to trust the product that you were using. Instead, Aearo Technologies and 3M appear to have misled and failed you and put your hearing at risk. So, contact the law office of Phipps, Deacon, Purnell PLLC today and let them evaluate your case.