3M Earplug Lawsuits Filed on Behalf of Missouri Service Members
In July of 2018, 3M agreed to pay the U.S. government a $9.1 million settlement in a whistleblower action for selling hundreds of thousands of defective earplugs for more than a decade that were standard issue, Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2) to the military. It was only disclosed to the public after 3M agreed to pay this settlement. In February 2019, Gibbs Law Group, Stueve Siegel Hanson and Isaac Wiles began filing lawsuits against 3M on behalf of service members who suffered hearing injuries, two of which are in the Western District of Missouri.
The Western District is home to two major military installations, and several others are nearby. Within the District, Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County, Missouri trains 90,000 enlisted soldiers each year. One in five Army soldiers nationwide (and one in seven Marines) received their training at Fort Leonard Wood. Whiteman Air Force Base, also in the Western District, houses another 4,000 active duty military service member and 1,500 reserve members. Additionally, the Western District is less than 40 miles from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and is about 150 miles from Fort Riley, Kansas.
The government alleged that 3M knew these earplugs provided to service members were defective when they were selling them to the government and that they were “too short for proper insertion in users’ ears.” This defect caused these earplugs to dislodge from the users’ ears and many needlessly suffered permanent hearing injuries.
Debbie Gregory, CEO of VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association and a well-known advocate for those who serve, is trying to get out the word to those who have sustained damages as a result of the use of these earplugs: “It is egregious that this corporation placed profits above the well-being of those who serve our nation and protect us. 3M must be held accountable for the harm it caused our military and veterans that will permanently and negatively impact their lives. I am heartened that these three national law firms are pursuing compensation for our nation’s service members who were injured from the use of 3M’s earplugs. I encourage everyone to spread the word to their own network within the military and veteran communities.”
The law firms of Gibbs Law Group, Stueve Siegel Hanson and Isaac Wiles have joined forces against 3M on behalf of U.S. military service members and veterans who sustained hearing injuries as a result of wearing these defective ear plugs. The lawsuits are against 3M and not against the United States government. Legal fees and costs will only be paid when service members prevail in their lawsuits against 3M.
Ms. Gregory added: “This lawsuit provides our service members and veterans a fighting chance without risk to recover monetary damages for their losses, and to send a clear message to those involved to never again put our military at risk. This team of law firms has a long history of advocating for service members, and I am confident they will do everything in their power to fight for the rights of the men and women who were affected.”
U.S. service members and veterans who used 3M Combat Arms Earplugs and suffered hearing loss, tinnitus and/or other injuries should contact the attorneys at: 1-866-211-4118 or go to defectiveearplugscase.com.
About the Legal Team – Gibbs | Isaac | Stueve
This is a team of three prominent law firms across the nation that includes: Gibbs Law Group, Stueve Siegel Hanson and Isaac Wiles. They have expertise and a track record of successfully litigating class actions, product liability claims and other actions. Their attorneys have extensive experience assisting clients including service members and veterans in recovering monies for personal injuries and other damages caused by defective products.
They have a winning track record that has earned them numerous awards for their work, including Best Lawyers in America, Best of the Bar, Leading Plaintiff Lawyers in America, Missouri Super Lawyers, Practice Group of the Year, Top Plaintiff Lawyers in California, and Consumer Protection MVP.
About Debbie Gregory
Ms. Gregory is a lifelong advocate for those who serve and is committed to outreach to those who have been harmed by use of these earplugs. She is currently the CEO and founder of VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association with over 7,000 members nationwide. Ms. Gregory is a producer of the nationally televised concert: “America Salutes You” that raises awareness for military and veterans and funds for some extraordinary non-profits that support them. Ms. Gregory also serves in the Defense Department volunteer role of Director of Employer Engagement for California ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve). Ms. Gregory is the daughter of a veteran who served with seven of his brothers and died as a result of injuries from his service to our country. Ms. Gregory’s father has motivated and empowered her to champion service members and veterans.
