Two U.S. service members who suffered hearing damage from using 3M earplugs have been awarded $110 million in damages by a Florida federal jury.
The U.S. Army veterans have been awarded punitive damages of $15 million and $40 million as they experienced tinnitus and hearing loss because of the usage of 3M's CAEv2 earplugs. As per the plaintiffs' attorneys, it is the largest verdict in the growing 3M earplug's MDL.
The attorneys even stated that the verdict is a part of a "sustained track record" of juries who rejected 3M's defenses and awarded each bellwether plaintiff with an adequate settlement. 3M responded to the verdict by stating that the juries must not consolidate multiple plaintiffs' cases into one jury trial as each case will have its own facts and circumstances.
The company even added that it will continue to defend its CAEv2 product throughout the litigation as the company's values and commitment is consistent in terms of providing safe products to U.S. military members. 3M has even indicated that it will appeal against the verdict.
Last month, federal juries awarded two consecutive bellwether cases in favor of 3M. So far, plaintiffs have won six of the 11 bellwether cases against 3M. This year five more 3M trials are scheduled in the federal court.
The 3M MDL includes nearly 300,000 service members who allege that the earplugs are defective in design which leads to hearing loss.
