When you are looking for help with 3M earplug lawsuits, you will probably find that there are a lot of options available to you. You can choose to pursue the case by yourself, or you can hire a lawyer to help with the 3M earplug lawsuit. If you decide to pursue the case yourself, you will need to make sure you know what you are doing. Here are some of the things you should know.
Do you have a case?
If you served as a service member during 2003 to 2015 and are experiencing hearing problems or tinnitus, you may have a case against 3M. The company has been accused of selling defective Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2) to the U.S. military, as well as the National Guard and Reserves.
These earplugs were designed to block the sound of explosions. They also allegedly blocked person-to-person communication. However, there have been many reports of hearing and tinnitus problems with these products.
Several lawsuits have been filed against 3M. These lawsuits claim that the earplugs were defective and caused injury to the plaintiff. In addition, they say that the company hid the truth about the earplugs’ defects.
There are hundreds of cases being brought against 3M, and they have been combined into one global settlement process. This is called a Multidistrict Litigation or MDL.
The MDL is centralized in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. Several bellwether trials have been held. Five more are on the court calendar. Currently, six plaintiffs have been awarded damages.
A recent verdict awarded a veteran $13 million. During the trial, the jury looked at the conduct of 3M and determined that the company should be punished for its products. Additional damages were awarded for punitive damages.
If you have a case, here’s what you need to know:
A 3M earplug lawsuit may seem daunting. The company has been accused of producing a defective earplug which has caused hearing loss and tinnitus in military members and veterans. Unfortunately, the company is facing over three hundred and fifty lawsuits from military members. If you suspect you were affected, you need to speak to a qualified product liability attorney immediately.
As with any litigation, there are numerous ways to proceed. You can file a lawsuit, ask for a settlement, or take the case to court. But you should speak with a lawyer right away, especially if you have a health problem. During the mediation process, attorneys who work on behalf of victims are bound by a confidentiality agreement.
There are many things you can do to improve the chances of winning your earplug case. One is to get a complete medical record. This helps the court decide whether or not your claim is viable. Incomplete medical records can mean that your lawsuit is dismissed.
Another thing you can do is prepare a PowerPoint presentation highlighting your injuries. If you do this, you will impress the jury.
Other steps you can take include filing a motion for summary judgment, settling with the defendant, or even asking the court to preemptively rule in favor of your suit.
Whether you have a case
If you have experienced tinnitus, hearing loss, or other health issues relating to 3M earplugs, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer. This type of suit is known as a combat arms earplugs lawsuit. It is filed by veterans who have used the devices regularly.
3M allegedly sold the earplugs to the military without telling them about the design flaws. The earplugs were too short to fit comfortably in the ears. In addition, 3M supposedly withheld the truth from the defense department about the risks of using the earplugs.
Several military members who have used 3M earplugs have reported suffering from tinnitus, hearing loss, and other health issues. A number of lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer and the US government. Some of these lawsuits involve veterans, others include National Guard members.
As of now, there are over 235,000 Combat Arms earplugs lawsuits on the federal court docket. Many of these cases have been dismissed or dropped due to insufficient medical evidence. However, more will likely be filed in the future as more people are aware of the ill effects of these earplugs.
3M has argued that the claims should be dismissed unless the case goes to a jury trial. A large punitive damages award could make it easier for the company to cut a settlement deal. But most of the plaintiffs’ lawyers oppose the idea.
