3M earplugs claim evaluator

Legal information only. The 3M MDL settled in 2023. Individual claim eligibility under the settlement depends on specific criteria. Always consult a veterans mass tort attorney. See our full disclaimer.

3M earplug claim evaluator

Your 3M earplug claim evaluation

Connect with a 3M earplug attorney

A veterans mass tort attorney will confirm your eligibility and file your claim. No fee unless you win.

The 3M Combat Arms earplug defect

3M Company sold the Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 (CAEv2) to the US military from 2003 to 2015. The dual-sided earplugs were supposed to provide hearing protection while allowing soldiers to hear spoken commands. The problem: they were too short to fit properly in most ear canals, causing them to loosen imperceptibly and allow dangerous sound levels through.

Internal 3M documents revealed in litigation showed the company knew about the defect as far back as 2000 but continued selling the product to the military. 3M also pled guilty to defrauding the government and paid $9.1 million in a False Claims Act settlement in 2018 - before the mass tort litigation even began.

The MDL in the Northern District of Florida became the largest in US history with over 300,000 plaintiffs. 3M settled the litigation in August 2023 for $6 billion, with individual payouts based on severity of hearing loss, tinnitus severity, and duration of military service.

Settlement status and claims deadline

The $6 billion settlement requires claimants to register and submit their claims through the settlement administrator. There are deadlines for submitting claims - if you haven't already filed, contact an attorney immediately to determine whether you can still participate in the settlement or whether you have grounds for an individual lawsuit outside the settlement.

VA benefits and the 3M claim

Filing a 3M earplug claim doesn't affect your VA disability benefits for hearing loss or tinnitus. These are separate compensation systems. Many veterans pursue both VA benefits and the 3M settlement simultaneously. See the VA disability claim screener to check your VA eligibility alongside this claim.

Frequently asked questions

The $6 billion MDL settlement was announced in 2023, but the claims submission process has deadlines. Whether you can still participate depends on when you filed or registered your claim and the specific tier you qualify for based on injury severity. Contact an attorney immediately - if you missed the MDL settlement window, there may still be options including individual state court claims or appeals.

Individual settlement amounts vary based on a tiered system tied to audiometric testing results showing hearing loss severity, tinnitus diagnosis and severity, and duration of military service. Claimants with severe hearing loss receive more than those with mild loss or tinnitus only. Attorney's fees (typically 40% under MDL contingency arrangements) are deducted from the gross award. An attorney can estimate your tier based on your audiogram results.

You need documentation of military service during the covered period (2003-2015), audiometric test results showing hearing loss or a tinnitus diagnosis, and evidence that you were issued or used the CAEv2 earplugs. Service records (DD-214) and VA disability ratings for hearing loss or tinnitus are valuable supporting documents. Your attorney assists with gathering and organizing all required documentation.

Yes. Tinnitus without measurable hearing loss is a covered injury under the 3M settlement, though it typically falls in a lower compensation tier than diagnosed hearing loss. Tinnitus is the most common service-connected disability for US veterans and is well-documented in military medical records. If you have a VA rating for tinnitus from your military service period, that's strong supporting evidence for a 3M claim.

No. The 3M lawsuit is a civil claim against a private company. It doesn't affect VA disability benefits, which are administered by the federal government through an entirely separate system. Many veterans receive both VA disability compensation and a 3M settlement payment for the same hearing loss or tinnitus condition. The two systems are complementary, not competing.