$3$M combat arms earplug Litigation case in which military personnel claimed they

failed to protect against hearing loss. The claim was that the earplugs were too

short to be properly inserted.

The case involved thousands of cases, which ultimately had to be consolidated

into a multidistrict litigation. The federal jury awarded $$6$ billion to resolve roughly

$300,000$ lawsuits filed by people claiming that $3$M$\text{'}$s earplugs caused hearing

damage. In a release, $3$M said the agreement is "not an admission of liability" and

that the payout will come over several years and encompass $$5$ billion in cash and

$$1$ billion in stock $($Valinsky$,2023).$

The reason $3$ m was liable for this case was due to the Defective design of their

product. The size was too short to insert appropriately into the ears. It was proven

by the $300,00$ plus service members with tinnitus who served during combat

events such as the Iraqi War, the Afghanistan War, and many other combat events.

The company knew about the design flaw, and the FAILURE TO WARN the users

about proper use caused them to be liable. The company also misrepresented the

effectiveness of the earplugs and sold it to the U$.$S$.$ Military.

If I invented a product, my biggest concern would be the safety of everyone who

comes in contact with the product. HAS EXERCISED ALL POSSIBLE CARE$-$I

would ensure that I provided extraordinary care for my product. If that's keeping

particles out of food, properly tightening screws, etc. My second concern would

be meeting the manufacturer's dutv to customers.