Combat Arms Earplugs Case Evaluation

Combat Arms™ Earplugs

In July of 2018, the United States Department of Justice announced that 3M had agreed to pay $9.1 million in order to resolve allegations that they knowingly sold the Dual-Ended Combat Arms™ Earplugs, Version 2 to the U.S. military without disclosing defects that hampered the effectiveness of the hearing protection device. The ear plugs were originally manufactured by Aearo Technologies, which was acquired by 3M in 2008.

According to the lawsuit, Aearo was aware of the ear plug’s defects as early as 2000, many years before it and 3M became the exclusive provider of selective attenuation ear plugs to the military. Specifically, the United States alleged that 3M, and its predecessor, Aearo Technologies, Inc., knew the Combat Arms™ Earplugs v2 were too short for proper insertion into soldiers’ ears and that the ear plugs could loosen imperceptibly and therefore did not perform well for certain individuals, the implication of which could result in serious and permanent hearing damage. It was also alleged in the lawsuit that this design defect was known to 3M but was not disclosed to the Department of Defense and that 3M may have manipulated test results to make it appear the ear plugs met government standards.

The Dual-Ended Combat Arms™ Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2) were designed for military use and used extensively by millions of servicemen and servicewomen. Unfortunately, many may have been exposed to damaging sound levels after receiving defective and dangerous earplugs while fighting in:

• The Iraq War
• War in Afghanistan
• War in North-West Pakistan (part of War on Terror)
• War in Somalia
• Operation Ocean Shield in the Indian Ocean
• American-led intervention in Libya (2011- part of Libyan Crisis)
• American-led intervention in Iraq (2014 – 2017)
• American-led Intervention in Syria (2014 to present)
• Yemeni Civil War (2015 to present)
• American Intervention in Libya (2015 to present)

Due to the alleged design flaw, these soldiers could have been subjected to dangerous sound levels during training and in combat. Dangerous sound levels can have serious and permanent effects including partial or total hearing loss, or tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing in the ears. Hearing loss is one of the most common afflictions suffered by active duty and former servicemen and servicewoman. Tinnitus, which can be debilitating, is just as prevalent. According to James Henry, a research scientist with the VA Portland Healthcare System, last year there were over 1.6 million veterans seeking medical care for chronic tinnitus.

If you, or a loved one were issued Dual-Ended Combat Arms™ Earplugs during service in the military between 2003 and 2015, and have since suffered partial or total hearing loss or suffer from tinnitus, please fill out the above form so you can protect your rights and we can learn more about your potential case.

Holding Irresponsible Product Manufacturers, Irresponsible Drug and Medical Device Makers Accountable

Trust. It is extremely important when it comes to consumer products, medicine and medical procedures. You trust that manufacturers have made products that meet guidelines they claim their products meet. You trust that the medicine or medical device your doctors use when treating you will make you better, not worse. As a patient, you put your trust in the companies that design and manufacture these defective drugs and devices. If you believe you have suffered serious injuries because of a defective product, dangerous drug or defective medical device/implant, you need to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

Whether you live in Madison County, Illinois, the St. Louis area or anywhere in the U.S., we can help. In fact, we have a national reputation for excellence, experienced attorneys and personal service, all on a contingent fee basis, which means that we only collect fees if we recover damages for you.

The Gori Law Firm Mass Torts Team

At The Gori Law Firm, we have over 35 attorneys across 8 offices who have the complex litigation knowledge that is necessary to pursue your case. With a national reputation for excellence, you can rest assured that your case will be handled professionally, efficiently and effectively. With two locations in the St. Louis area, and several others throughout the U.S., our law firm handles cases nationwide.

Our lawyers are particularly compassionate and supportive to our clients throughout the process. As seasoned personal injury attorneys with a nationwide reputation, we have more than 20 years of experience in handling complex lawsuits and will use our knowledge for your case. The Gori Law Firm has obtained more than $3 billion in settlements for previous clients.

To best serve you, it is important to share with us certain information that will help us preliminarily evaluate your potential case by filling out the form at the top of the page. This information that you provide will be personally reviewed by the head of the mass torts group Attorney D. Todd Matthews and Attorney Megan Arvola to determine if our firm may be able to assist you with your case.

Attorney D. Todd Matthews is the leader of the The Gori Law Firm mass torts group. Mr. Matthews is a member of National Trial Lawyers Association, Madison County Bar Association, Missouri Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Committee, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, Member, American Association for Justice, American Association for Justice Leaders Forum, National Asbestos Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. Additionally, he has served on numerous Mass Tort committees in the past and as lead counsel on the Granuflo Litigation in St. Louis City.

Attorney Megan Arvola works under Attorney Matthews on behalf of our injured plaintiffs in mass tort and personal injury litigation. Ms. Arvola comes to The Gori Law Firm, from the chambers of Chief Judge David R. Herndon of the Southern District of Illinois, where she served as a term judicial law clerk for three years. Prior to her federal clerkship, Ms. Arvola graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law. In 2011, Ms. Arvola received a Burton Award for Legal Achievement, Distinguished Writing Award, in association with the Library of Congress.

Our Locations