Ohio And Kentucky Lawyers Pursuing 3M For Defective Combat Arms Earplugs
“It was the best decision I made and would highly recommend Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima to everyone.”
– Timothy Smith (former client)
At Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima, we represent veterans who have suffered hearing loss, tinnitus and other ill effects from defective 3M combat earplugs. We have convenient offices in northern Kentucky and Ohio.
Why We Are Pursuing 3M
In August 2018, 3M paid $9.1 million to the Department of Justice to resolve a whistleblower lawsuit that accused the company of knowingly selling the military defective earplugs. Evidence exists that 3M knew about the defective Combat Arms Earplugs version 2 (CAEv2) for years; as early as the year 2000. In January 2000, Aearo Technologies falsely certified that CAEv2 met military standards.
Believing the dual-sided earplugs were effective, our military used them for training and combat between 2003 and 2015. The defective earplugs caused hearing loss (partial and complete), tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and other head and ear injuries.
Profits Over People
Aearo Technologies and 3M made a conscious decision to manufacture, certify and sell products that were unsafe to our military. It is inexcusable and despicable to seek a profit at the expense of our military members. As a result, thousands of our combat veterans have suffered preventable injuries.
Aearo Technologies and 3M refused to explicitly accept responsibility for their conduct despite paying millions of dollars to the Department of Defense to settle a lawsuit brought under the False Claims Act in 2018.
Why Hire Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima
Unlike national firms that advertise on television, we maintain control over your case. You will have the ability to call, meet and speak with us about ongoing litigation. We will be the go-to law firm for veterans in the Midwest who want local product liability attorneys.
Charles M. Rittgers decided to pursue 3M after his longtime friends, Michael Logue and Dylan Sizemore, discussed their ongoing issues as a result of 3M earplugs. Mike and Dylan were our first two clients and the reason Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima decided to pursue 3M.
Our First Two Clients
Mike is a combat veteran who served from 2003 to 2011 as a corporal in the Lima Company 3rd Battalion 25th Marines 4th Division. When Mike deployed to Iraq, his company of 184 Marines suffered 23 killed in action and 37 additional Purple Hearts while securing more than 30 cities and handling in excess of more than 350 insurgents. Since being honorably discharged he has as a volunteer for a number of nonprofit veteran organizations and serves as a board member for USO Central and Southern Ohio. He was the first participant for The Veteran’s Project which focuses on solving difficult and complex problems, enhancing the understanding of veteran health care and improving veteran health care.
Dylan is a combat veteran who served in the military from 2003 to 2012. During his first combat tour, Dylan was in Iraq for 15 months between 2006-2007 serving as a platoon leader and battle captain in the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He conducted over 150 combat patrols and over 25 battalion and company-level operations. Dylan returned to Iraq in 2011 and served as a company commander in the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment where his company conducted over 150 combat patrols covering over 16,000 miles as the main effort to close five major U.S. bases in northern Iraq. He received two Bronze Stars, the Combat Infantry Badge, and a Meritorious Unit Citation during his combat tours. Dylan has been the guest speaker and keynote speaker at numerous events and a peer mentor for a local veteran’s court.
Learn More About How We Can Help
If you were active in the military between 2003 and 2015 and suffer hearing damage, please contact us today by calling 513-496-0134 to discuss your potential claim.