3M Combat Arms Earplug Products Liability Litigation

This historic multidistrict litigation became the largest in American history, involving over 250,000 claims from U.S. military service members and veterans against the 3M Company. The lawsuits center on the dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2), which were standard issue to service members between 2003 and 2015.

Plaintiffs allege that the earplugs had a design defect: they were too short to be inserted properly into the ear canal and could loosen imperceptibly, allowing damaging sounds from combat and training exercises to bypass the intended protection. The lawsuits claim 3M knew about this defect but failed to warn the military. As a result, thousands of veterans have suffered from hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and loss of balance. The litigation resulted in a multi-billion dollar settlement agreement to resolve the claims.