Military Hearing Loss

Military Hearing Loss Attorneys in California

Military service members face a variety of health and safety risks while protecting our country, including hearing loss caused by noise from artillery, machinery, and other equipment used in combat and training. As a result, the government issues earplugs to troops to protect them from damaging sounds while serving their country. One particular earplug model—known as the 3M Combat Arms—has been proven to be defective, placing service members at unnecessary risk of hearing loss and/or tinnitus. If you or a loved one served in the military and suffered permanent hearing loss or tinnitus, the earplugs you were issued may be to blame. 3M has agreed to pay millions to military hearing loss victims, and Berg Injury Lawyers is now pursuing cases on behalf of service members and veterans. Call (800) 400-2374 or fill out our quick and easy online form for a free consultation. We’re ready to help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

3M Combat Arms Earplugs Placed Service Members at Risk

Issued to thousands of service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan from 2003 to 2015, 3M’s Combat Arms earplugs are known as “selective attenuation” earplugs because they can be worn in two ways. When inserted into the ear one way, service members are able to hear speech, and when inserted the opposite way, they are supposed to offer greater noise protection. The earplugs look like two inverted cones connected by a stem. However, the stem has been shown to be too short, which means the cones cannot be inserted far enough into the ear to provide adequate hearing protection. As a result, service members who used 3M Combat Arms earplugs may face an increased risk of hearing loss and tinnitus—a condition that causes noise or ringing in the ears.

Companies Pay Millions to Settle U.S. Government Lawsuit

Combat Arms earplugs were originally manufactured by Aearo Technologies, a company that was acquired by 3M in 2008. According to a U.S. government whistleblower lawsuit, Aearo was aware of defects in the earplug design as early as 2000, and 3M and Aearo manipulated test results to make it seem like the earplugs met government standards. 3M agreed to pay $9.1 million to settle these allegations with the United States Department of Justice. Now, Berg Injury Lawyers is investigating cases on behalf of the military men and women who suffered permanent hearing loss and/or tinnitus due to defective 3M earplugs.

Get Help With Your Military Earplugs Lawsuit

If you or a loved one served in the military and suffered permanent hearing loss and/or tinnitus despite wearing service-issued earplugs, you may be entitled to compensation. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we have more than 40 years of experience fighting for injury victims, and we’re ready to fight for you, too. Call (800) 400-2374 or complete our free online form to get started now. This law firm is not associated with, sponsored by, or affiliated with 3M, Aearo Technologies, or the U.S. government.