Florida 3M Earplug Attorney
Members of the military are exposed to extreme conditions as part of the job, especially when on active duty and in combat situations. However, it may come as a shock to learn that the Hearing Health Foundation lists hearing loss from blasts and related factors as the top medical condition among military veterans. In an effort to curtail hearing issues, the US military began procuring 3M earplugs and making them standard issue in 2003. Unfortunately, due to dangerous defects in the products and the company’s misconduct surrounding discovery of them, thousands of members of the military suffered irreparable harm.
It may come as some relief to know that you do have options if you sustained hearing loss or other disorders as a result of using 3M earplugs. Our team at Halpern Santos & Pinkert, P.A. is prepared to fight for your rights, so please contact our office to set up a free consultation with a Florida 3M earplug attorney. Some basic information may also be helpful.
Extreme Risk of Injuries from Military Use of 3M Earplugs
When selling the earplugs to the military, 3M promoted a unique feature that would be particularly attractive given the environment in which they would be used. The design was dual-ended, so it could be inserted in two ways: One site would protect the ear from extreme sounds, but still allow soldiers to hear commands; the other side prevents all sound from penetrating the ear.
The problem is that the 3M earplugs were defective, exposing military personnel to significant hearing loss and related conditions. Symptoms of disorders caused by the faulty products include:
- Difficulty hearing a person talking from 3-4 feet away;
- Inability or struggles with understanding diction and articulation when someone is speaking; and,
- A ringing or buzzing in the ears, usually associated with a medical condition known as tinnitus.
Your Legal Remedies and Options to Recover Compensation
Multiple lawsuits are already proceeding in various parts of the US, including Florida, related to the defective 3M dual-ended earplugs. Our team at Halpern Santos & Pinkert, P.A. can explain the legal basis of these claims in more detail, but some allegations against 3M include:
- Intentional fraud;
- Falsification of product test results;
- Failure to warn US military officials about the defective earplugs; and,
- Many others.
You may be eligible to seek monetary damages if you sustained a hearing disorder through usage of the flawed 3M earplugs while serving in the military. It may be possible to obtain amounts for:
- Medical costs for treatment of a hearing disorder;
- Lost wages, if your medical condition affects your employment;
- Pain and suffering;
- Diminished quality of life after hearing loss; and,
- Other compensation based upon your circumstances.
Contact a Florida 3M Earplug Lawyer to Discuss Your Rights
For more information on how members of the military can recover monetary damages for losses stemming from 3M earplugs, please contact the Coral Gables, FL offices of Halpern Santos & Pinkert, P.A. You can call 305-445-1111 or fill out an online contact form to schedule your no-cost consultation with one of our attorneys.
