As a member of military personnel, you expect that there is going to be a level of risk to your occupation and your mission. However, what you don’t expect is that the gear that you are given to protect yourself is going to fail at its job. You have a right to protections and if you served between the years 2003 and 2015 and have suffered hearing loss as a result of your time in the military, then you may be entitled to compensation. This is because of the use of 3M combat army earplugs that may have been defective.
Here is what you need to know about 3M ear plugs and why you may be eligible for compensation.
Defects of Ear Plugs
Military contractor 3M sold dual ended combat earplugs to the military. The plugs in question are dual-ended with one yellow side and one green side. The colors are meant to represent the amount of noise protection. The problem is that the earplugs were faulty. The main complaint is that they were too short and hence could loosen without the wearer noticing. This means that many military personnel were exposed to noise levels that were extremely damaging to their ears.
Symptoms of Hearing Loss
The problem with the 3M earplugs is that they did not protect veterans. Veterans who may have been affected by these earplugs may have suffered from hearing loss or tinnitus. Some of the symptoms of hearing loss include:
- Tinnitus
- Muffled speech
- Withdrawing from conversations
- Increased TV volume
- Trouble with consonants
Some of these symptoms develop over time and you may not have realized that you suffered from hearing loss until later. When it comes to this particular lawsuit, in most cases, you are able to use the discovery exception if it is past the statute of limitations. This is an exception that allows you to file a claim for medical bills, lost wages or pain and suffering because you did not discover the harm or the negligence until after the statute of limitations was over.
Personal injury lawsuits like this one are crucial. They hold manufacturers and the government accountable for military personnel safety. If you were in the military between 2003 and 2015 and have suffered hearing problems due to 3M combat ear plugs, then you may have a case. To find out more about this lawsuit, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to file your claim. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Melbourne, FL, like Arcadier, Biggie & Wood, PLLC to have your questions answered.