July 2022

The settlement process in the 3M earplug lawsuit takes place on July 15, 2022. Settlement discussions will last about three days. Both sides of the lawsuit must “engage in serious and good-faith efforts to resolve as many cases as possible.” The judge in this case indicated that if settlements are not reached, the federal court system will likely be flooded with 3M earplug trials. There are currently 233,883 plaintiffs with 3M earplug cases in the United States. If a settlement cannot be reached, then the cases will be tried in district courts. It is important to contact a 3M lawsuit attorney now so that you can get the compensation you deserve if there is a settlement. Attorney Paul Mankin has been asked when the 3M earplug lawsuit will settle. Although no specific date can be identified, the July 2022 negotiations are a good indicator that it will happen soon. Call us at 800-219-3577 to discus your case.

June 2022

In June 2022, the main Plaintiffs in the 3M earplug case (Luke Estes, Lewis Keefer, Stephen Hacker, and Lloyd Baker), filed a response to the company’s appeal in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The company 3M is claiming protection under the Feres Doctrine as a government contractor. However, they are not technically a government contractor because they never had a real contract with the military to provide earplugs to service members. A hearing will be held to determine the outcome of 3M’s appeal. There is very little chance that 3M will win the appeal, and it is likely that a settlement will be reached soon.

May 2022

After a two-week trial, a federal jury in Pensacola, Florida awarded Army veteran James Beal $77.5 million in damages for his injuries associated with 3M defective earplugs that caused hearing loss and tinnitus. This makes a total of $300 million awarded to plaintiffs against 3M so far. Also in May 2022, a Colorado judge cut a verdict from $55 million to $21.7 million. This was solely because of legal or statutory limits on punitive damages that may be awarded under Colorado laws. In mid-May, 3M’s defense lawyers were hit with sanctions for “willful abuse of the trial process” in a lawsuit involving plaintiff Army veteran James Beal. The judge indicated that 3M lawyers have caused frustration for more than two years and they are trying to defy long-standing procedural rules regarding depositions. The judge in the Beal case also granted a Summary Judgment Motion that blocks 3M from presenting nearly all available affirmative defenses, including contributory negligence. May also brought about the dismissal of more than 20,000 3M earplug lawsuits in the class action. The cause was failure to file paperwork related to the plaintiffs’ military service. This essential misstep is why it’s so important to work with an attorney who is familiar with class action cases. Attorney L. Paul Mankin diligently works with clients to ensure all legal documents are properly drafted and proper paperwork is filed on time. You can call us today at 800-219-3577

Anyone who served in the military from 2003 to 2015 and suffered permanent hearing damage may file a product liability lawsuit against 3M, the earplug manufacturer. If you meet the following criteria, you may be able to file a 3M earplug lawsuit:

• You were a service member between 2003 and 2015
• You were issued earplugs during your time in the armed services
• You were exposed to loud sounds while in the military
• You have been diagnosed with hearing loss or tinnitus

So far, nearly 300,000 soldiers have filed lawsuits against the company, and there may be thousands more who can make claims. Combat Arms earplugs left our service members unprotected from high-level sounds that resulted in permanent damage to their ears, and for some, complete hearing loss. If you have questions about whether you qualify for a 3M lawsuit, you should immediately contact L. Paul Mankin. You must act soon to if you want to take part in settlement negotiations. Call us at 800-219-3577

Jury verdicts in the 3M earplug lawsuits have been significant. In fact, the average successfully jury payout has been around $20 million for injured plaintiffs. Awards have ranged from less than $1 million to more than $70 million. Many of the jury verdicts have been limited by laws restricting the amount of punitive damages. You are eligible to recover 100% of the money you have paid for the following:

• Past and future medical costs
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Physical limitations and disability
• Disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Loss of consortium (familial relationships)

Why Do 3M Trials Often Have Multiple Plaintiffs?

3M lawsuits have been filed in courts throughout the United States. Thus, they are considered “Multidistrict litigation” or “MDL” for short. In fact, this is the largest MDL in history. A single earplug lawsuit could take years to progress through the court system. Each trial could last up to two weeks. Instead, the cases are being consolidated into groups for efficiency in the court system. Additionally, combining cases can reduce legal costs for the plaintiffs. It allows plaintiffs to share resources through the discovery process. Pre-trial matters, such as motions and other practical issues, can also be handled jointly by multiple plaintiffs’ attorneys and their staff.

How Much Does an Attorney Cost for a 3M Earplugs Case?

Most product liability law firms, including L. Paul Mankin, handle 3M cases on a contingency fee basis. You will pay nothing up front and there are no legal fees until you win a jury verdict or obtain a settlement payout.

How Long Will a 3M Lawsuit Take?

Mass tort product liability cases like the 3M litigation can take years to resolve. However, since settlement is scheduled for July 2022, there is a good chance that you will get financial compensation quickly. It can still take months for the company to organize their information and send out checks, but most of the lengthy legal process has already taken place.