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An issue has been raised concerning faulty ear protection supplied to British military personnel. Over 2,000 former and serving members have initiated legal action, claiming that the ear protection provided was defective and resulted in life-altering injuries such as tinnitus and deafness. The supplier of the earplugs, 3M, had previously settled a similar case in the United States in 2023, paying out $6bn to 240,000 American service members.
One of the individuals affected by this issue is Dave Watson, a triple amputee who served with the 1st Battalion Scots Guards. He was provided with 3M earplugs during his time in Afghanistan, which has now resulted in significant hearing loss. Despite his injuries, Watson has since become a motivational speaker and continues to be active in veterans’ charities. The impact of his hearing loss on his family life has been profound, emphasizing the serious consequences of faulty protective equipment.
The faulty ear protection supplied by 3M was designed to be reversible, with one side blocking out most sounds and the other protecting against impact sounds while still allowing the wearer to hear spoken commands. A lawsuit brought by the US Department of Justice in 2018 alleged that the earplugs were defective, leading to a $9.1m settlement with 3M. The recent legal action taken by British military personnel aims to hold the company accountable for the faulty ear protectors provided between 2003 and 2015.
Carol Timone, a former lance bombardier who served in Afghanistan with the British Army, also suffered hearing loss and tinnitus due to the defective earplugs. She advocates for accountability and justice for veterans who have been affected by the faulty equipment. In response to the legal claims, 3M maintains that its products were safe and effective when used correctly, and it is prepared to defend itself in the English courts. The Ministry of Defence has emphasized its commitment to the health and wellbeing of its personnel, offering compensation and support through various schemes
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