If you or a loved one served in the military between 2003 and 2015 and were issued 3M Dual-ended Combat Arms earplugs and suffer from hearing loss or tinnitus, then you may be eligible for legal compensation. Veterans suffering from permanent ear damage are not alone: More than 2,050 lawsuits have been created against the 3M Combat Arms company, which bought out Aearo Technology, the original designers of the dual-ended earplugs in the early 2000s. At first, the versatile design of the earplugs seemed appealing and simple. The olive side was claimed to protect its wearer from all sound, while the yellow side was supposed to protect the wearer from explosions but allow verbal commands and nearby enemies to be heard. Unfortunately, that isn’t what the earplugs actually do. In 2016, Moldex-Metric Inc., another company which produces hearing protection products, filed a whistleblower lawsuit against 3M and Aearo, uncovering evidence that 3M had been aware that their earplugs were defective. In fact, back in 2000, they knew they wouldn’t meet the Noise Reduction Rating requirements (NRR), but it was required in order to sign a contract with the US military. Instead of conducting testing on their ear plugs through an independent lab (like federal law requires), they did their testing in-house. HUNDREDS OF AFFECTED VETERANS ARE FILING LAWSUITS Lawsuits tell us, of course, the testing results were skewed. Multiple court sources tell us that the stems of the earplugs were too short for a proper fit. During testing, Aearo staff would roll back flanges from the noninserted side (yellow or olive) to stop the earplugs from loosening. American combatants, however, were not notified of the defects PRODUCT FRAUD: MILITARY ISSUED EARPLUGS
STAY ACTIVE DURING YOUR GOLDEN YEARS 3 PART-TIME JOBS FOR RETIREES Whether you want to generate some extra income during your retirement or just keep yourself busy, getting a part- time job can be a great way to spend your golden years. But why settle for just any opportunity when you could stay mentally and physically active and give back to the community? If that sounds like your ideal way to spend retirement, here are a few options to consider. Many community colleges and community centers offer part-time teaching opportunities for those who want to share their field of expertise with others. Many of these positions don’t require a teaching degree or certificate — just a wealth of knowledge from your years in the workforce. Alternatively, if you want to help younger students with their academics, you could also work as a tutor or a teacher’s assistant at a local school. Coaching can be a satisfying way to spend your retirement and support younger athletes. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to be a coach. You might need to pass a background check, and you’ll probably need to know first aid as well. While the pay isn’t incredible, the time you’ll spend sharing your passion for sports with young people is more than worth it. PASS ALONG YOUR KNOWLEDGE AS A TEACHER. SHARE YOUR PASSION FOR SPORTS AS A COACH. If you’re looking for an opportunity to stay active and have a more direct impact on people’s lives, you can try being a personal care aide. Personal care aides help elderly and disabled people with everyday tasks, such as shopping, doing laundry, and bathing. Many people who require this assistance prefer older aides who can empathize with their struggles, so it’s a great job for recent retirees. GIVE BACK AS A PERSONAL CARE AIDE.
or instructions when the earplugs were obtained through an exclusive military contract in 2003.
The Moldex-Metric Inc. lawsuit ended with a $9.1 million settlement in July 2018. The evidence uncovered during these court cases benefits not only past and present cases, but future cases as well. If you’ve been affected by 3M’s negligence to defenders of this country, we can evaluate your case for free. Give us a call at 404.698.4938.
Just because you’ve retired doesn’t mean you can no longer bring value to your community. With all the time you have on your hands, you could become one of your town’s most valuable assets.
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