We are getting closer to a day cynics said would never arrive: a jury trial in the 3M Earplug lawsuits. 3M, whose lawyers expected to get out on summary judgment, are certainly surprised. Veterans who called our law firm inquiring as to whether this litigation was a scam will be shocked. I suspect even some plaintiffs’ attorneys are surprised the Combat Arms earplugs case will soon be decided by a jury
The first federal bellwether trial involving 3M’s dual-ended combat earplugs begins in April 2021. It will focus on three cases.
The stakes could not be higher. Over 200,000 current and former service members have already filed similar lawsuits that allege that the earplug’s defective design causes hearing impairments. A win for plaintiffs would certainly push the settlement value of 3M earplug lawsuits higher.