5 billion to resolve over 300,000 lawsuits claiming it sold the US military defective combat earplugs, people familiar with the deal said. Floyd June 18, 2023 at 8:19 am. August 2023 Update: A 3M earplug lawsuit settlement was reached on August 28, 2023, providing roughly $6 billion in funds to resolve allegations raised in more than 250,000 lawsuits filed by U. 3M earplug lawsuits claim that defective design of the Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 (CAEV2) caused them to loosen, leading to hearing damage or loss for thousands of veterans and active-duty military. This means the 3M earplug trials for 2023 are back on track. military service members who claim the company's faulty. A recent lawsuit filed by plaintiff Anthony F. New York CNN — 3M has agreed to pay $6 billion to resolve roughly 300,000 lawsuits alleging that the manufacturing company supplied faulty combat earplugs to the military that resulted in. To date, no plaintiff in the 3M earplug litigation globally has received any money from 3M. 20, 2023, 9:04 PM UTC . 3 billion to settle lawsuits over contamination of many U. Department of Justice $9. 3 derailment of a. 1 million to settle a whistleblower lawsuit accusing the company of knowingly selling defective earplugs to the U. Department of Defense records for more than 175,000 plaintiffs show that the vast majority of claimants in Combat Arms earplug litigation have normal hearing under medically accepted standards. government for selling the defective earplugs to the military. Army veteran who said he suffered hearing damage as a result. The 3M earplug lawsuits keep moving forward. 3M also. Updated 1:09 PM PST, August 29, 2023. S. S. LONGVIEW, Texas, Dec. 23 On September 8, 2023, the Court conducted Case Management Conference No. With this, over 240,000 people are expected to be eligible. September 18, 2023. S. Where the major mass tort class action lawsuits with the highest expected settlement payouts as 2022 draws to a close. July 25, 2023: Barclays analyst Julian Mitchell estimates $8 billion to settle the earplug lawsuits. S. S. Today, we secured a $6. Settlement talks are expected to resume May 25 and 26 in the 3M ear plug lawsuit filed by U. 3M has agreed to pay more than $6 billion to settle hundreds of thousands of lawsuits brought over its dual-ended combat earplugs. veterans and service members. A federal judge has ordered 3M Co CEO Michael Roman to attend mediation aimed at resolving nearly 260,000 lawsuits alleging that 3M military earplugs caused hearing loss, saying the negotiations. 3M a year ago put Aearo, the maker of the earplugs, in bankruptcy as part of an effort to reach a global settlement for about 230,000 lawsuits filed by veterans. The Associated Press. On August 29, 2023, a settlement was reached, announcing that 3M has agreed to pay $6 billion to settle its lawsuit with U. military veterans and service members who say they suffered hearing loss from using the company's earplugs, the. Today, he’s one of more than 200,000 military service members and veterans suing the conglomerate. To date, the only settlement amount from 3M has been the $9. 1 million in 2018 to settle an earlier whistleblower suit. S. Some lawyers estimate that 3M earplug lawsuit settlement amounts could be anywhere from $5,000 to $250,000 per plaintiff, depending on the damages alleged. Jan. military that were not effective at preventing hearing loss. January 2023 update. We believe in these lawsuits and, while there are no guarantees, we are optimistic that there will be high settlement amounts offered, maybe even before a single Tepeza lawsuit goes to trial. 1 million to settle a lawsuit on behalf of the government alleging the company. In 10 cases, the judge ruled in favor of the plaintiff (1. Of 16 earplug cases that have gone to trial, 3M has lost 10, with about $265m being awarded in total to 13 plaintiffs. S. military members and veterans. mass torts, 3M faces over 200,000 lawsuits in U. Army veteran who said he suffered hearing damage as a result. You can bet the vets that first of all qualified, applied, and stuck with it will get very. judge on Friday dismissed the bankruptcy of 3M subsidiary Aearo Technologies, rejecting an effort to resolve nearly 260,000 lawsuits alleging that 3M military earplugs caused hearing loss. Now, let’s dive into the timeline of the 3M Earplug Lawsuit: 1. Older Updates. 67% higher in pre-market trading to indicate an opening bell price of $104. July 12, 2021: Case Management Order No. judge on Friday dismissed the bankruptcy of 3M subsidiary Aearo Technologies, rejecting an effort to resolve nearly 260,000 lawsuits alleging that 3M military earplugs caused hearing loss. The 3M Earplug Lawsuit has become a significant legal issue in recent years, as thousands of military personnel have claimed that the company’s Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 (CAEv2) were defective and led to hearing loss and tinnitus. In a landmark development, 3M, a multinational conglomerate, has agreed to a substantial settlement amount of over $6 billion in a class-action lawsuit involving faulty earplugs. Yeah they don't pay like that on a lark. service members and veterans who suffered hearing injuries to include hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of using the company's. Its amount was the highest awarded verdict on an individual litigant. August 2023: On Aug. N) has agreed to pay $6. Unfortunately, service members and veterans who were injured will not receive any of the settlement. Call Paul Mankin for a free initial consultation of your case at 800-219-3577. 1 million for the company’s defective military earplugs, thousands of veterans followed suit. 01 billion to settle lawsuits filed by U. S. This is a huge disadvantage for 3M. 3:02. service members. After the U. military from 2003 to 2015. Aug 1. S. 3M's bankruptcy strategy mirrors a similar effort by Johnson. 3M Co. Related Article: 3M Earplug Lawsuits Update. Miller and Zois, the law firm representing some of the veterans, estimate settlement payout between 25,000 and 300,000 dollars. In an online summary about the litigation, the Florida-based law firm notes that 3M previously agreed to pay $9. Chemical and consumer product manufacturer 3M has agreed to pay $6 billion to settle lawsuits from U. Enough whining. 3M has agreed to pay 1 $6 billion settlement to troops and veterans whose hearing was damaged from the company's dual-ended "Combat Arms" earplugs. , Aug. There are eight plaintiffs on the first list and 39 on the second list. 3M nears multi-billion dollar settlement over earplug defect. 3M denies the allegations that. Company’s financial health nullifies need for bankruptcy, judge rules. S. (Reuters) -3M has agreed to pay $6. soldiers are suing 3M over defective earplugs. The ruling could have implications beyond 3M earplugs. subsidiary Aearo Technologies LLC, the bankrupt maker of allegedly defective combat earplugs, is ineligible for bankruptcy relief, a judge ruled. The Florida trial brought by active-duty Army Sgt. 1 million. 5 million to James Beal, an army veteran whose lawsuit alleged the 3M’s faulty earplugs caused. WE’RE OPEN 24/7 | 800. Related Article: 3M Military Earplug Lawsuit Update. 3M has already paid a $9. 29, 2023, at 10:49 a. September 25, 2022. military veterans and service members who suffered hearing loss due to using defective earplugs produced by the company. Related Article: 3M Earplug Lawsuit Update. The devices were intended to. A bankruptcy case in Indiana could help upend the mass tort litigation system in the U. 2 million verdict in fourth military earplug. bankruptcy judge dismissed 3M subsidiary Aearo Technologies’ attempt at bankruptcy to settle. military earplug trial Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. 29, 2023, 3M agrees to pay $6 billion to settle lawsuits filed by U. 3M Earplugs Lawsuits: Combat Arms Earplug Trials Begin April 2021. S. Tinnitus in both ears aint fun with mild hearing loss in my left ear not a way to live especially at night when its quiet and you are trying to sleep and all you hear. District Judge presiding over all 3M earplug lawsuits indicates that she anticipates remands will begin “soon” in the MDL, and has identified a group of 31 cases that will be the. ”. Appointment Order (Settlement Data Administrator) Order appointing BrownGreer PLC as Settlement Data Administrator. 1 million to settle allegations that it knowingly sold its “Combat Arms Earplugs” brand, dual-ended earplugs to the U. 5 million in damages, including $72. And with test trials during the MDL, both sides see how their arguments hold up in court. PAUL, Minn. The initial lawsuit against 3M came six months after the company, in December 2018, agreed to pay military branches $9. Palanki first used the 3M earplug in 2005, which would have put his claim beyond the 10-year limit. The predicted average lawsuit payout per expert 3M earplugs lawyers, is somewhere between $50,000 and $100,000. L. Alex Wolf. 2018: 3M settles with the Department of Justice for $9. Ascanio (Ascanio v. 3M Co. military members and veterans. has tentatively agreed to pay more than $5. 3M stock, which hit a new 52-week low Wednesday, is one of the worst-performing industrial stocks this year, down more than 16% in 2023, versus the XLI Industrials ETF, which is down 1. James, your lawyer isn't wrong. 3M on Monday agreed to pay $6. subsidiary Aearo Technologies LLC, the bankrupt maker of allegedly defective combat earplugs, is ineligible for bankruptcy relief, a judge ruled. In 2022, 3M’s subsidiary company that made the earplugs, Aearo Technologies Inc. NEW YORK — Chemical and consumer product manufacturer 3M has agreed to pay $6 billion to settle numerous lawsuits from U. 1 million to the U. 3M Earplug Lawsuit Update According to Reuters, “On. NEW YORK — Chemical and consumer product manufacturer 3M has agreed to pay $6 billion to settle numerous lawsuits from U. Key Takeaways. , facing more than 200,000 lawsuits accusing it of harming soldiers with defective combat earplugs, opens a new round of mediation Thursday overseen by the same federal judge the industrial. December 22, 2022, 9:58 PM UTC . 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has been following the earplug litigation since 2018, when 3M paid $9 million to settle the first earplug claims from the Department of Justice. 15 before mounting a major comeback to erase. , federal court on Friday ordered 3M to pay $77. That is where the company’s subsidiary Aearo is seeking to resolve thousands of lawsuits from service members who claim 3M’s earplugs caused hearing loss. After a whistleblower suit was filed in 2016, accusing 3M of selling “dangerously defective” earplugs, the company agreed to pay $9. 5 billion to resolve some 300,000 lawsuits claiming it sold defective combat earplugs to the US military—just a little over half of what its litigation. Update: The court is picking up the pace on the litigation both in bellwether trials and overall discovery. Assuming 25,000 payout per case, that adds up to 6. bankruptcy judge dismissed 3M subsidiary Aearo Technologies’ attempt at bankruptcy to. However, unlike in class action lawsuits, if no settlement is reached during the MDL proceedings, 3M earplug lawsuits will move forward individually. That company is 3M, the St. 5B Payout to. The lawsuit alleged that the company's Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs , CAEv. The lawsuit alleges that the faulty products left some with hearing damage and tinnitus. You can read the settlement, the case management orders, etc. Legal. August 31, 2023 at 3:24 PM PDT. In July, 2018, the Justice Department announced that 3M agreed to pay $9. No outcome is guaranteed, but as the first cases go to trial in 2021, it seems likely that a global settlement in 3M earplug lawsuits may be reached within 1-2 years, based on similar mass tort product liability cases. 3M Earplug Settlement May Result in $5. A flurry of lawsuits followed. When is someone going to make 3m stop stalling and make them pay for their wrong doings. Settlement talks are expected to resume May 25 and 26 in the 3M ear plug lawsuit filed by U. S. 5 million in punitive damages and $5 million in compensatory damages, to a former soldier who alleged that his hearing loss resulted from defective 3M Co. Richard Console, Lawyer writes…. Lastly, you must have taken legal action within the specified time frame set by the statute of limitations. In 2001, roughly 0. government to resolve allegations that its earplugs were defective because. Aug. They urged a federal judge in Florida to restart discussions aimed at reaching an out-of-court. NEW YORK (Reuters) -A U. Jurors in Pensacola, Florida, awarded $50 million to Luke Vilsmeyer, a U. 5 million in punitive damages. Walgreens agreed to pay a record $500 million to settle an opioid lawsuit brought by the state of New Mexico. military defective combat earplugs (3M) After years of legal. S. by using PACER. 3M has prevailed in six of the 16 test trials to date. The judge presiding over the 3M earplug MDL, U. Attorneys for 230,000 current and former service-members last month warned a bankruptcy judge in Indiana that settlement talks have reached “an unbreakable impasse” despite three months of meetings with mediators, according to court filings. S. immediate jeopardy from 260,000 lawsuits alleging that 3M military earplugs caused hearing loss for veterans and U. 3M has lost 10 of the 16 earplug cases that have gone to trial so far, with about $265 million being awarded in total to 13 plaintiffs. The claimant would pay you $40,000 and have to pay taxes on the entire $100,000. During that time, 3M agreed to pay $9. The quarter million people who filed claims must decide if they'll join the. A federal jury awarded $22. These 3M lawsuits claim that the design defects in 3M’s Combat Arms Earplugs caused serious. 3M last July put Aearo in bankruptcy as part of its effort to reach a global settlement for about 230,000 lawsuits claiming its military earplugs were defective and damaged the hearing of veterans. 1 million compensation paid to the Federal Government in July 2018. 4. S. There were a total of 16 bellwether test trials in which plaintiffs ended up with a win-loss record of 10-6, with total damages of over $300 million. 1 million to the U. So far, 3M has spent over $450 million defending itself against these lawsuits. ST. 3M has reached a $6 billion settlement with veterans and military service members over allegations that defective earplugs led to hearing loss among users. The verdict was the tenth trial victory of the 16 bellwether. The 3M earplug lawsuit mentioned above ended up with a payout of 9. This jury award has other service members who sustained hearing loss wondering if they, too, could still move forward with. S. Miller, Jr. 5 billion to resolve some 300,000 lawsuits claiming it sold defective combat earplugs to the US military—just a little over half of what its litigation. veterans and service members. Has anyone received a settlement from the 3M earplug lawsuit? There have been 16 cases against 3M that have gone to trial to date; as of May 2023, 10 plaintiffs have won and were awarded close to. The lawsuits claim 3M’s combat arms earplug version 2, which was dual-sided, could imperceptibly slip in the ear canal and exposed the wearer to damage, including hearing loss or tinnitus. Those verdicts are included in the $6. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A federal jury in. 96 Billion); but it would require over a quarter million. 3M stock, which hit a new 52-week low Wednesday, is one of the worst-performing industrial stocks this year, down more than 16% in 2023, versus the XLI Industrials ETF, which is down 1. S. This was after a whistleblower within 3M alerted the Federal Government. 3M has agreed to pay $6 billion to resolve roughly 300,000 lawsuits alleging that the manufacturing company supplied faulty combat earplugs to the military that resulted in significant injuries. 3M has agreed to pay 1 $6 billion settlement to troops and veterans whose hearing was damaged from the company's dual-ended "Combat Arms" earplugs. The settlement caps a. military servicemembers from any third-party litigation funding agreements. A tentative $5. 3M Co. The settlement resolves allegations that 3M knowingly sold defective earplugs to the military without disclosing the defects. military members and veterans. Army veteran who said that after using 3M's Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 from 2006 to 2017 primarily during training. While the discovery process, the longest part of the lawsuit, can take years, individual trials can take weeks or months. 3M was accused of knowingly distributing a faulty product. 40. history. ST. 2. S. A U. $70 million for hearing loss? Really? 3M probably made the armor that effectively prevented a shot to the heart from. U. 1 million settlement for a whistleblower lawsuit seemed to close the combat earplugs case. The plaintiffs won 10 of the bellwether trials and the total damages awarded against 3M were approximately $300 million. 3M Co. In these suits, more than 1,700 military veterans claim that the company supplied the military with defective earplugs and, in turn, they’ve sustained serious injuries. 3M to begin court-ordered settlement talks over military earplugs, following lawsuits by thousands of soldiers. The deal, announced on Tuesday, settles one of the largest mass. 3M acquired the subsidiary that made the plugs, Aearo Technologies Inc. 5 million. 1 million to 77 million). S. August 28, 2023 Update: 3M’s board of directors has formally approved the $6 billion earplug settlement agreement, according to statements filed with the SEC. 2 million to settle lawsuits alleging that the company sold defective earplugs to the Army, thousands of veterans who had suffered hearing damage and tinnitus began filing complaints against 3M. has struck a settlement with plaintiffs' attorneys to settle a mountain of lawsuits related to a line of military-grade earplugs. 1 billion to settle the lawsuits. Army veteran $8. August 29, 2023. 2 million to settle lawsuits alleging that the company sold defective earplugs to the Army, thousands of veterans who had suffered hearing damage and tinnitus began filing complaints against 3M. S. military veterans and service members is apparently. S. military members. 01 billion amount. S. August 27, 2022: Filing bankruptcy protection for its subsidiary does not excuse 3M from defending lawsuits in the 3M earplug class action, a federal bankruptcy judge ruled yesterday. S. 5 million to veteran in 3M earplug case, Washington Post, May 20, 2022. 3M has lost 10 of the 16. 3M acquired the subsidiary that made the plugs, Aearo Technologies Inc. as Settlement Special Master. The parties announced today that, without any admission of liability, 3M Company has agreed to pay $6 billion to resolve the nearly 250,000 lawsuits in the MDL filed by United States military service members, veterans, and commercial users, alleging CAE-related injuries from use of the CAE for hearing protection. Those cases have been pending in the Middle District of Florida since 2019. 3, 2023, there were 257,449 3M Combat Arms earplug lawsuits pending out of the 339,510 that were originally filed. S. Aug 29 (Reuters) - 3M has agreed to pay $6. Judge Gerald Tjoflat of the U. The 3M earplug lawsuit is a collection of individual lawsuits, not a. To date, over 140,000 individual claims against 3M are included, making this one of the largest product liability cases in recent history. 1 million "to resolve allegations that it knowingly sold" the same ear plugs at the center of the current. Beyond the earplug litigation, 3M in June agreed to pay at least $10. 2m) settlement with the. The jury found that 3M’s Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 were defective and caused the plaintiffs, Ronald Sloan and William Wayman, to suffer hearing damage. Last year, 3M said it would stop producing the controversial chemicals by the end of 2025. S. 3M Company has agreed to pay. 3M Co. $466 million. 3M knew this after it bought the company, but it continued to sell the earplugs without a warning. On August 29, 2023, 3M agreed to pay $6. military veterans who accused the company of covering up design defects in its earplugs, a. 01 billion to settle lawsuits by U. Unfortunately, that is what happened to thousands of. 30 to $10. PAUL, Minn. The settlement, consisting of $5 billion in cash and $1 billion in 3M stock, will be made in. At least 288,000 plaintiffs have filed complaints against 3M over the allegedly defective design of the company's Combat Arms Earplugs. Understanding the Scope of the 3M Earplug Lawsuit: Evaluating the Number of Involved Individuals. 3M is facing more than 240,000 claims over the earplugs, known as Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2, which were standard issue for many U. What settlement was reached in the 3M earplug litigation? Plaintiffs and 3M reached an agreement worth $6. About 250,000 people have filed suits alleging the Combat Arms earplugs, used by the military. 3M Co. That's how much 3M said it had spent in attorney's fees in the earplug lawsuit as of January. PAUL, Minn. 7 billion. September 8, 2022 Update: We have a 3M earplug lawsuit mediation date. jury in first combat earplug trial. S. That suit claimed the company's subsidiary knew the earplugs were faulty. 3M’s ( NYSE: MMM) $6 billion agreement to settle lawsuits claiming its combat earplugs were defective may collapse if enough veterans refuse to accept the deal, Bloomberg News reported Thursday. 3M agreed to pay $9. A federal judge ordered 3M ( NYSE: MMM) CEO Michael Roman to attend mediation talks arranged to possibly settle a group about 260,000 lawsuits claiming the company’s combat earplugs didn’t. . I’ve been told early 2021 for the cases to be tried. S. Aug. This post has the latest news in the 3M earplug lawsuits. Reports claim the company will pay $5. – Thousands of veterans and current military service members may be entitled to receive compensation in the 3M earplug lawsuit. S. 3M Co. Inserted in one direction, the plugs work like typical rubber earplugs. Get the 2023 updates on settlement and everything else. S. NEW YORK (AP) — Chemical and consumer product manufacturer 3M said Tuesday it has agreed to pay $6 billion to settle. Casey Rogers in the Northern District of Florida, in the largest multidistrict litigation in history. The lawsuits claim 3M’s combat arms earplug version 2, which was dual-sided, could imperceptibly slip in the ear canal and exposed the wearer to damage, including hearing loss or tinnitus. Aearo is assessing its options for appeal of this decision, and 3M and Aearo will continue to pursue appeals raising evidentiary and legal issues from. , et al. As general counsel for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and a veteran myself, I was proud to learn of the recent $6. 5M Verdict in Final Earplug Trial, 3M Looks To 'Enormously Consequential' Appeals. August 29, 2023: Appointment Order (Settlement Special Master) Order appointing John W. has tentatively agreed to pay more than $5. 3M ORDERED TO PAY $50 MILLION TO ARMY VETERAN IN EARPLUGS LAWSUIT. S. Our product liability lawyers have a 3M earplug lawsuit update for you. S. In late August 2023, 3M agreed to pay $6. military could fall apart if enough veterans reject the deal as. Appointment Order (Settlement Data Administrator) Order appointing BrownGreer PLC as Settlement Data Administrator. 3M Announces Combat Arms Settlement. S. 3M Earplug Lawsuit Settlement Allegations were initially made against 3M several years ago when it was initially discovered that the products were too short to adequately fit all users. 3M Combat Arms Earplugs […] 3M earplug lawsuit settlement: $6B payout to military for hearing loss. 3M Knew of Earplugs’ Hearing Loss Risk, Veterans’ Group Argues, Bloomberg, July 6, 2022. $77. Juries have awarded millions in damages in 3M earplug lawsuits since 2019. has agreed to pay $6 billion to veterans and service members who say their hearing was damaged while they used earplugs made by a subsidiary of the manufacturing giant. After the announcement in July 2018 that 3M paid the DOJ $9. 3m ordered to pay $50 million to army veteran in earplugs lawsuit The settlement amount is significantly less than the $10 billion to $15 billion that some analysts predicted the case would cost. military veterans and service members is apparently. 3m ordered to pay $50 million to army veteran in earplugs lawsuit The proposed settlement amount is significantly less than the $10 billion to $15 billion that some analysts have predicted the. The quarter million. , June 9, 2023 / PRNewswire / -- Today, the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Indiana granted plaintiffs' motion to dismiss Aearo's bankruptcy filing. 01 billion to settle lawsuits by U. 29, 2023 / PRNewswire / -- Today, 3M (NYSE: MMM) announced that it has reached an agreement with the court-appointed negotiating plaintiffs' counsel to resolve the Combat Arms Earplug litigation against Aearo Technologies (Aearo) and 3M. The settlement works out to short of $1,400 a day for millions of earplugs and millions of blown eardrums. However, based on prior verdicts and settlements in similar cases, we expect the trial value to be somewhere between $25,000 and $300,000. March 15, 2022: The Wilkerson bellwether trial is underway. N EW YORK (AP) — Chemical and consumer product manufacturer 3M said Tuesday it has agreed to pay $6 billion to settle lawsuits from U. military veterans and service members who say they suffered hearing loss from using the company’s earplugs, the company and lawyers. Tinnitus in both ears aint fun with mild hearing loss in my left ear not a way to live especially at night when its quiet and you are trying to sleep and all you hear. Debt Settlement Loans;. military service members who say they suffered hearing loss. military veterans and service members. S. According to the lawsuit, the U. 2 million for damages, experts. 3M has agreed to pay $6 billion to resolve roughly 300,000 lawsuits alleging that the manufacturing company supplied faulty combat earplugs to the military that resulted in significant injuries. Justice Department in June 2018, in which 3M paid $9. S. 29, 2023 / PRNewswire / -- Today, 3M (NYSE: MMM) announced that it has reached an agreement with the court-appointed negotiating plaintiffs' counsel to resolve the Combat Arms Earplug litigation against Aearo Technologies (Aearo) and 3M. military knowing they had defects. S. The distribution to 500,000 veterans who used the earplugs will result in a almost nominal settlement. April 30 (Reuters) - 3M Co (MMM. (4 Different Types Explained) A total of 16 lawsuits involving 19 plaintiffs have gone to trial in the 3M Combat Arms Earplug litigation. Plaintiffs claim 3M earplugs were. 3M is facing more than 240,000 claims by veterans and service members over the earplugs, known as Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2. To date, no plaintiff has settled a lawsuit. The company announced it'll pay $5 billion in cash and $1 billion in 3M common stock between 2023 and 2029. I have Johnson Law Firm and I am kept updated on this 3M earplugs case. troops and veterans over earplugs the service members said didn’t work, causing permanent. The settlement comes just two months after a U. The litigation, which started back in 2018, after a whistle-blower filed a lawsuit against 3M (MMM) revealing allegations that 3M (MMM) and its subsidiary, Aearo Technologies, had knowingly sold defective dual-ended Combat Arms earplugs to the United States Military. The 16 th and final bellwether test trial in the 3M earplugs MDL (Beal v. Fact Checked. During that time, 3M agreed to pay $9. 5 billion to resolve over 300,000 lawsuits claiming it sold the US military defective combat earplugs, people familiar with the deal said. Even though the $6 billion settlement agreed to in August allows 3M to walk away from the umbrella agreement if fewer than 98% of claimants participate,. as Settlement Special Master. S.