Just In: Largest 3M Earplugs Lawsuit Verdict Awarded at $77.5 Million

Last week, a Florida federal jury awarded $77.5 million to a U.S. Army veteran over hearing loss caused which he alleged was  as a result of his use of faulty 3M earplugs while in the military. This is the largest individual verdict yet for a single plaintiff in this mass tort litigation.

According to the verdict, the jury awarded the plaintiff, James Beal, $5 million in compensatory damages and $72.5 million in punitive damages due to his bilateral tinnitus and noise reducing hearing loss which Mr. Beal claimed was due to the defective 3M CAEv2 combat arms earplugs while serving in the army.

Picture courtesy tumgir

 Recent Developments

In the past month, we have reported on two pieces of good news for service members who have been affected by 3M’s defective earplugs. Most recently, another Florida veteran was awarded $2.2 million for his use of the earplugs during his tour of duty in Iraq which led to his hearing loss. Additionally, a Florida federal judge denied 3M’s bid requesting that the government produce depositions and discovery related to 3M’s combat earplugs, finding that the request came too late and the discovery requests themselves were inappropriate.

Of the 16 trials to-date regarding claims against 3M for their faulty earplugs, plaintiffs have prevailed in 10 which has yielded almost $300 million. In other words  the Defendant  3M has  lost almost  two- thirds of the time.

3M Earplug Lawsuit Deadline 

Picture courtesy Army

If you or a loved one suffer from tinnitus and/or hearing loss, were a Department of Defense 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.

We understand the emotional burden these impairments can 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 may evaluate your legal rights so you can obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.

From The Trenches

Roy Oppenheim