Hearing Loss and Military Regulations: How to File a Claim
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Hearing Loss and Military Regulations: How to File a Claim

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

NOTICE

NOTICE:

Contact Cochran, Kroll & Associates P.C. is no longer accepting new cases for 3M Earplug Lawsuits. If you have any other questions about our other legal practice services please call us toll-free at 1-866-466-9912 to begin to receive a free case evaluation. Remember, you don't pay a dime unless we win compensation for you. We're here to help you seek justice!


Hearing Loss and Military Regulations: How to File a Claim

Cochran, Kroll & Associates is no longer accepting new clients for the 3M Earplug Lawsuit.
9/1/2023

If you are a veteran suffering from noise-induced hearing loss, you may be eligible to file a claim to be appropriately compensated. Specifically, compensation may be owed if you have served in the military between 2003-2015, your combat earplugs issued by 3M were defective and didn’t provide you any protection during your service.

Here’s how to get started on a filing a 3M earplug lawsuit:

Consult your doctor to get professionally diagnosed for your partial or full hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and determine if your military service caused it. If you spent previous years thinking there was nothing to do about it, this is your chance to gain new knowledge to build a case.

How to Qualify

  • If you were actively serving in the military between 2003 and 2015
  • If you were issued and wore 3M earplugs during your service
  • If you were not dishonorably discharged
  • If you didn’t have a history of hearing complications before military service
  • If you didn’t noticeably suffer hearing complications after military service

Serving in the military dramatically increases your chance of being exposed to loud noises that can lead to unwanted hearing loss and disability. Not only were you surrounded by large moving aircrafts, vehicles, and tanks, but being exposed to constant gunfire and explosions can get dangerously loud, so protecting your auditory system is crucial.

So, whose fault was it to neglect your safety? Not yours.

It’s Not Your Fault

From 2003 to 2015, the 3M earplugs became the standard issue for all military personnel as their combat earplugs, but no one knew they were faulty until just recently. The Minnesota-based company admitted to running tests on their combat earplugs, and when they proved to be inadequate, 3M still proceeded to sell their defective products to the U.S. military.

When a whistleblower exposed the truth about the faulty earplugs, the 3M company finally settled a lawsuit that prompted them to pay $9.1 million to the federal government. Soon after the news spread, veterans and active military members began to take it upon themselves to take action.

It should have been the military’s responsibility to equip you properly, but that was unfortunately not the case.

You may have brushed aside taking action in the past because you were unsure of the root of your hearing complications, or you weren’t sure if you could build a proper case, but now you have all the information you need to take the next step. You’re not alone and shouldn’t suffer silently.

What to Consider

There are two options: 1) you can apply for disability benefits for hearing loss through the Department of Veterans Affairs by filling out a form or applying online, or 2) you can speak to a professional attorney to seek additional compensation.

The latter is more promising because receiving proper consultation can help your case in this comprehensive circumstance and increases the chance of higher financial compensation.

Act Now

Contact Eileen E. Kroll, a former nurse turned attorney, at Cochran, Law & Associates, P.C in Michigan to receive professional advice from a seasoned lawyer. Her extensive background in the medical field provided her the skills to deal with medical malpractice cases and plaintiff litigation. Kroll’s expertise extends further as she tirelessly chooses to get to know each one of her clients and their stories to optimize the result of every case favoring her clients.

Act quickly and call 866-MICH-LAW to get your free consultation. We never charge a fee unless a full recovery is made.
Now is the time to allow yourself to prioritize your needs and comfort, rather than choosing to settle like companies like 3M hoped you would.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.

Tim is a writer and editor who earned his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Maryland and calls Washington, D.C., home after spending most of his adult life in the country's capital. Although Tim spent most of his post-college years in the restaurant industry, he became interested in writing about legal matters after he recently moved to Colombia. Today, Tim writes professionally about medical malpractice, drug policies, and workplace injuries. Tim is focused on curating his freelancing career and plans to work remotely for as long he can.

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