3M has agreed to pay more than $6 billion to consumers and military members who alleged the company's ear plugs were defective and caused hearing loss, tinnitus and other hearing-related injuries.
Lawyers representing the plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit called it an "historic agreement" and a victory for veterans. “We are proud to have obtained this settlement, which ensures that those who suffered hearing damage will receive the justice and compensation they so rightly deserve,” lawyers said in a prepared statement on behalf of the plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs were represented by Bryan F. Aylstock of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz, PLLC, Christopher A. Seeger of Seeger Weiss LLP, and Clayton Clark of Clark, Love & Hutson, PLLC.
Chemical and consumer product manufacturer 3M has agreed to pay $6 billion to settle lawsuits from U.S. service members who say they experienced hearing loss or other serious injuries after using faulty earplugs made by the company
In an online summary about the litigation, the Florida-based law firm notes that 3M previously agreed to pay $9.1 million to settle a lawsuit on behalf of the government alleging the company knowingly supplied defective earplugs to the U.S. military. And since 2019, the firm added, 3M has lost 10 of 16 cases that have gone to trial — awarding millions of dollars to plaintiffs to date.
Tuesday's agreement "represents a tremendous victory for the thousands of men and women who bravely served our country and returned home with life-altering hearing injuries,” attorneys representing the plaintiffs said in a joint statement.
This marks 3M’s second significant lawsuit settlement this summer. In June, the manufacturer said it would pay up to $10.3 billion over 13 years to fund public water suppliers in the United States that have detected its toxic “forever chemicals” in their water supplies.
Polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” have been found in hundreds of household items, including makeup and carpeting, and are used to make coatings that repel water, grease, and oil.
The settlement comes after 3M faced thousands of lawsuits that allege 3M knew PFAS caused cancer, developmental defects and other health problems, and that the chemicals contaminated US drinking water systems.
Last year, 3M said it would stop producing the controversial chemicals by the end of 2025
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