On August 28, 2023, 3M agreed to pay $6 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits alleging that its Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2) were defective and caused hearing loss to U.S. military service members. The settlement is the largest in U.S. history for a product liability case.
The lawsuits alleged that 3M knew that the CAEv2 earplugs were defective but failed to warn users of the risks. The earplugs were designed to reduce noise levels but were alleged to allow too much sound to pass through, leading to hearing loss.
The settlement will provide compensation to eligible service members who suffered hearing loss as a result of using the CAEv2 earplugs. The amount of compensation will vary depending on the severity of the hearing loss.
The settlement is subject to court approval. If approved, it will resolve all outstanding CAEv2 lawsuits.
The settlement is a significant victory for the service members who have been fighting for compensation for their hearing loss. It is also a reminder of the importance of holding companies accountable for defective products.
Here are some additional details about the settlement:
- The settlement will provide compensation to approximately 228,000 eligible service members.
- The average compensation payment is expected to be $250,000.
- The settlement is subject to a number of conditions, including 3M's cooperation with the ongoing criminal investigation into the CAEv2 earplugs.
The settlement is a major step forward for the 3M Earplug lawsuit, but it is not the end of the story. The criminal investigation into the CAEv2 earplugs is ongoing, and 3M may face additional legal challenges.