Master Complaint Adopted For 3M Earplug Lawsuit

Master Complaint Adopted For 3M Earplug Lawsuit

Introduction

A Master Complaint is adopted by the federal court to streamline the future cases that will be brought against 3M Company’s Combat Arms Earplug alleging permanent hearing loss and tinnitus.

On September 20, the court adopted Master Complaint, as well as a Short Form Complaint. Various claims, allegations and requests for relief put forth by plaintiffs are featured in the Master Complaint, which will be specified by each plaintiff in their individual lawsuit through a Short Form Complaint. The Master and Short Form Complaint will simplify the process of filing new claims and will allow the parties to coordinate, categorize, and evaluate 3M lawsuits.

All 3M Earplugs injury lawsuits are filed under MDL No. 2885 (In Re: 3M Combat Arms Earplug Litigation) in the Northern District of Florida against Minnesota-based 3M. The lawsuits are brought by military veterans who are left with hearing loss or tinnitus due to defective earplug distributed by the U.S. armed forces to all service members between 2003 and 2015.