3M Appeals First Earplug Hearing Damage Verdicts As Trial Losses Continue
Combined verdicts of more than $150 million have been awarded in early trials, with more than 250,000 other waiting to go before a jury.
Combined verdicts of more than $150 million have been awarded in early trials, with more than 250,000 other waiting to go before a jury.
A federal judge warns that scheduling conflicts and other problems threatened to delay the prepartion of the cases for trial, resulting in the need for a Special Master to help parties coordinate.
The verdict includes $40 million in punitive damages for each veteran, designed to punish 3M and its Aearo Technologies subsidiary.
Out of nine bellwether trials held so far, plaintiffs have won five of the 3M earplug hearing loss claims, while 3M Company has won four.
Largest individual plaintiff win to date includes $15 million in punitive damages the jury leveled at 3M Company.
Federal courts nationwide will face a staggering 280,000 potential trials if no earplug hearing loss settlement is reached to resolve the claims
Results of bellwether trials have been split, with plaintiffs winning four cases and 3M winning three.
Bellwether trials for military hearing loss lawsuits will continue with two new cases set to begin this week, but 3M Company and Aearo Technologies will be prevented from introducing a controversial report involving earplug testing data.