3M Nearing $5 Billion Settlement for Faulty Earplugs in Veteran Complaints
3M, a multinational conglomerate, is reportedly close to reaching a settlement worth more than $5 billion to address complaints from military veterans regarding faulty earplugs. This proposed agreement comes as a surprise, as it falls significantly short of the $10 billion to $15 billion figure that analysts had predicted.
The earplug litigation, considered the largest mass tort in U.S. history, has seen over 300,000 claims filed by veterans against both 3M and Aearo Technologies, the company that developed the earplugs. These veterans argue that the faulty earplugs failed to protect their hearing properly. However, 3M has consistently defended their product, claiming that the devices work when used correctly with proper training.
This settlement is another blow to 3M, as it follows a tentative settlement in June for the issue of “forever chemicals” in municipal drinking water, which could cost the company up to $12.5 billion. “Forever chemicals” are substances that can persist in the environment for a long time and are linked to health risks.
It is worth noting that 3M had already agreed to pay $9.1 million to the U.S. government back in 2018 to resolve allegations of defective earplugs. However, the company’s troubles persist, as Aearo Technologies recently filed for bankruptcy and had their filing dismissed in June.
Despite the impending settlement, 3M remains entangled in lawsuits from state attorneys general and personal-injury claims related to the “forever chemicals” mentioned above. In response, the company has pledged to stop manufacturing and using these chemicals by the end of 2025.
As the legal battles continue, 3M faces mounting financial and reputational challenges. With the earplug litigation nearing a resolution, many veterans hope that this settlement will provide them with the compensation they deserve for the alleged harm caused by 3M’s faulty product.
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