3M continues to deal with lawsuits regarding defective earplugs, PFAS chemicals

Firm faces litigation from 2,000 combat veterans.

Another 300 lawsuits filed against 3M flooded federal courts this month as more military veterans accuse the behemoth manufacturer of knowingly making defective earplugs that caused vets to lose hearing during combat in Iraq or Afghanistan or while training on U.S. military bases.

On another front, 3M also is fighting lawsuits related to a class of chemicals known as PFAS, with the state of Michigan filing a lawsuit last week against the Maplewood-based company.

To date, nearly 2,000 U.S. veterans from Minnesota to California and Texas have filed more than 1,000 lawsuits.

New earplug lawsuits against the Maplewood-based 3M have been landing almost daily. Army, National Guard and Navy veterans are demanding jury trials and compensation.

3M denied the allegations and said it will defend itself in court.

It said in court documents that 3M and the Aearo Technologies entity it acquired in 2008 designed its “Dual-Ended Combat Arms earplugs” with the help of the U.S. military and according to its specifications. Therefore, 3M cannot be liable, the company said.


http://www.startribune.com/3m-continues-to-deal-with-lawsuits-regarding-defective-earplugs-pfas-chemicals/567166652/