Posted:
3M has begun paying out a $6 billion settlement to resolve lawsuits from U.S. military veterans and service members who claimed that defective Combat Arms Version 2 earplugs caused hearing loss and tinnitus. The earplugs, used between 2003 and 2015, were alleged to be faulty, leading to hearing damage among users.
As of May 2025, over $2.8 billion has been allocated for claimant payouts, with $2.39 billion already distributed. The majority of claimants opted for the Expedited Pay Program (EPP), receiving a combined $2.37 billion. A smaller group pursued the Detailed Pay Program (DPP), with $15.7 million paid across 17,500 claims. Additionally, the Extraordinary Injury Fund has disbursed $13.6 million to 523 individuals with severe injuries. Read more here.
