3M Has a Massive Lawsuit Problem

3M is facing nearly 290,000 lawsuits being brought on by veterans who blame their hearing problems on earplugs the company’s Aearo Technologies developed, according to a report from the IndyStar.

Omar Ford

August 19, 2022

1 Min Read
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Image courtesy of Kristoffer Tripplaar / Alamy Stock Photo

3M is facing a massive number of lawsuits over its earplugs, according to a report from Bloomberg. The lawsuits are being brought on by veterans who blame their hearing problems on the earplugs, according to the report.

As it stands, there are more than 290,000 active claims against 3M, according to the IndyStar. The personal injury claims have been consolidated in a federal court in Florida and make up the largest multi-district litigation to ever hit the U.S. federal courts system, the report states.

In July, 3M put its Aearo Technologies unit into bankruptcy to resolve the claims. Bloomberg reported that under 11 rules, Aearo is automatically entitled to freeze lawsuits it faces, but because 3M itself didn’t file bankruptcy a judge must agree to give the company the same protection. 

The move comes about a three weeks after 3M announced it was spinning off its healthcare unit into a publicly-traded company. The spin-off is expected to be complete by the end of 2023 and the company would focus on wound care, healthcare IT, oral care, and biopharma filtration.

 

About the Author

Omar Ford

Omar Ford is a veteran reporter in the field of medical technology and healthcare journalism. As Editor-in-Chief of MD+DI (Medical Device and Diagnostics Industry), a leading publication in the industry, Ford has established himself as an authoritative voice and a trusted source of information.

Ford, who has a bachelor's degree in print journalism from the University of South Carolina, has dedicated his career to reporting on the latest advancements and trends in the medical device and diagnostic sector.

During his tenure at MD+DI, Ford has covered a wide range of topics, including emerging medical technologies, regulatory developments, market trends, and the rise of artificial intelligence. He has interviewed influential leaders and key opinion leaders in the field, providing readers with valuable perspectives and expert analysis.

 

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