IN RE: 3M COMBAT ARMS EARPLUG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION

  1. August 29, 2023

    3M Strikes $6B Deal In Combat Earplug Litigation

    3M on Tuesday said that it had reached a $6 billion deal to end more than 260,000 claims that its combat earplugs failed to protect the hearing of servicemembers and veterans, capping the largest multidistrict litigation in U.S. history.

  2. July 11, 2023

    Top Product Liability Cases Of 2023: Midyear Review

    A recent U.S. Supreme Court opinion that expanded states' jurisdiction over out-of-state companies, billions of dollars in settlements over so-called "forever" chemicals, and a verdict over Tesla's autopilot technology are among the top product liability cases so far in 2023.

  3. July 05, 2023

    Product Liability Cases To Watch: 2023 Midyear Report

    A challenge to a decades-old decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve an abortion drug has ramifications for product liability cases involving federal agency decisions, and the first talc trial since Johnson & Johnson placed a subsidiary in bankruptcy may influence whether other claimants opt to accept an $8.9 billion settlement. 

  4. June 12, 2023

    Kirkland Seeks $13M Fees In 3M Unit's Tossed Bankruptcy

    Kirkland & Ellis LLP on Sunday sought an Indiana federal judge's approval for nearly $13 million in fees and expenses for the firm's representation of 3M subsidiary Aereo Technology's bankruptcy case between February and April, days after the judge tossed the case upon finding the company financially healthy.

  5. June 09, 2023

    Judge Tosses 3M Unit's Bankruptcy Case As Invalid

    An Indiana federal judge on Friday tossed a 3M subsidiary's bankruptcy case that the manufacturing giant intended to use to address more than 230,000 liability claims over allegedly faulty earplugs, finding that the bankruptcy did not serve a "valid reorganizational purpose."

  6. May 22, 2023

    3M CEO Needed For 'Critical' Earplug Mediation

    A Florida federal judge has ordered 3M's CEO to attend the next mediation session between the company and veterans who claim its combat earplugs caused hearing damage, saying the talks have reached a "critical juncture."

  7. May 02, 2023

    Fla. Judge Reopens Mediation Talks In 3M Earplug MDL

    A Florida federal judge on Tuesday reinstated formal mediation talks between 3M and veterans who claim the company's combat earplugs caused hearing damage, noting that mediation in related bankruptcy proceedings "has not borne fruit."

  8. May 01, 2023

    3M Pushes Back At Vets' Mediation Bid In Faulty Earplug MDL

    3M on Friday told a Florida federal judge that it "respectfully opposes" a bid to resume mediation talks by veterans who claim the company's combat earplugs damaged their hearing, saying it's currently pursuing mediation discussions in bankruptcy court.

  9. April 27, 2023

    Vets Seek To Resume Mediation Talks Over 3M Earplugs

    Veterans on Thursday asked a Florida federal judge to reinstate formal mediation with 3M in litigation over allegations that the company's earplugs were defective and harmed service members' hearing, saying that their attorneys' leadership has recently asked for a global deal in the suits.

  10. April 04, 2023

    7th Circ. Wary Of Extending 3M Unit's Bankruptcy Stay To 3M

    All three judges on a Seventh Circuit panel Tuesday appeared skeptical of the argument that they should pause sprawling multidistrict litigation over service members' and veterans' injuries allegedly caused by faulty 3M Co. earplugs while a subsidiary's bankruptcy case proceeds.