Do I Have a Defective Earplugs Lawsuit?

The whole point of using earplugs is to make sure that loud noises do not damage our precious hearing. Earplugs are more than an average consumer product; they are an absolute necessity in various occupations and recreational activities. Construction workers, mechanics, and a wide variety of career fields use earplugs as safety gear in their workplaces. People who work around loud noises rely on their earplugs to prevent hearing loss and keep them comfortable in noisy environments. Similarly, a lot of hobbyists use earplugs in all kinds of activities ranging from shooting firearms at the range or attending loud concerts. While people rely on earplugs, the companies that manufacture them often do the bare minimum to ensure that the earplugs function as designed. The result of a company that cuts corners when it comes to the safety and effectiveness of earplugs is an unsuspecting person who ends up with hearing damage—despite doing exactly what they were supposed to prevent hearing loss.  Defective earplugs are an enormous problem, and the consequences are devastating. If you are someone who has suffered hearing loss despite wearing earplugs, you may need to bring a defective earplugs lawsuit.

How Do I Know My Earplugs are Defective?

Figuring out whether the earplugs you purchased were defectively designed or manufactured is not easy to do as an ordinary consumer. Our expectations as consumers are straightforward when we buy earplugs, we expect that they will lessen loud noise and protect our hearing. People do not have laboratory testing equipment available to them that will verify the decibel protection provided by any set of earplugs. Unfortunately, often people only realize their earplugs don’t work when it is too late, and they have already suffered the negative effects of hearing loss. If you have suffered hearing loss despite using earplugs while being exposed to loud noises, you may have a claim for defective earplugs. The signs and symptoms of hearing loss resulting from defective earplug usage can include:

• A buzzing or ringing sound in your ears that starts after being exposed to a loud noise.
• Difficulty understanding what people are saying after being exposed to loud noise.
• Struggling to hear things because background noise seems to be overwhelming.
• Feeling a strange sensation in your ears or pressure like when you are flying in an airplane.
• Tinnitus, a continual buzzing or ringing sound that is continuous though it may vary in severity throughout the day.
• Reduced hearing ability over time despite continuing to use earplugs.

If you have any symptoms associated with hearing loss, even though you use earplugs, there is a strong likelihood that the earplugs you have been using may be defective. Many people are wholly unaware that the hearing loss they have experienced may be caused by faulty earplugs. There have been an increasing number of earplug lawsuits filed arguing that various brands of earplugs are defective. The most infamous example involves current litigation against 3M, one of the largest earplugs manufactures who supplied earplugs to our armed forces. Evidence has been revealed by whistleblowers who explained that 3M knew about defects and design problems for more than a decade but did not warn anyone. Whether the earplugs you used were designed by 3M or any other manufacturer, contact us for a free consultation. We are always happy to help people determine whether they have a claim.

3M Earplug Lawsuits in Nevada, California, Arizona and Utah

Until 2015, 3M had a massive contract with the US Military to provide Military Dual-Ended Combat Arms earplugs to service members. Known as the “CAEv2”, they were manufactured with a two-ended design that allowed service members to use both sides for different levels of hearing protection. These earplugs have caused irreversible damage to many users because they did not provide the protection needed to safeguard the hearing of service members around the world. In 2018, 3M reached a $9.1 million dollar settlement with the Department of Justice after a whistleblower revealed that 3M knew about the defects but continued sales without warning anyone. In addition to poor design, 3M appears to have purposefully disregarded the dangers and hearing damage caused to members of the military. If you are a veteran or active member of the military who served between 2003-2015, that wore these earplugs and suffered from hearing loss, you may be able to assert a claim.

It is important to consult with an experienced defective earplug lawyer if you have reason to believe you were harmed by one of these products. An attorney who is familiar with the intricacies of defective earplug lawsuits can increase your chances of recovering compensation for the hearing loss or tinnitus that was caused due to the negligence of earplug manufacturers.

SOS Injury Lawyers: Your Product Liability Attorneys in Las Vegas, Nevada and Around the Country

Other law firms may claim that they handle products defect cases but when you consider that they mostly only handle lawsuits involving car accidents, medical malpractice, slip and falls, dog bites, and other personal injury claims, it’s hard for these firms to focus the time, resources, and energy that are needed to maximize the value of a products defect case.

Here at SOS Injury Lawyers, products defect law is what we do. We help you navigate the complex world of products liability, help you track down the necessary experts, provide you with around-the-clock access to experienced lawyers with over 100 trials under their belts, and help you cover the expenses of what is otherwise an expensive process. The best part? You don’t pay a dime unless we win. Whether you’re in Nevada or anywhere else in the country, SOS Injury Lawyers are here to help you win your products defect case.

Call us now for a completely free consultation and see how we can be of service to you in your claim for defective earplugs.