3M Cannot Use Bankruptcy to Halt 230,000 Suits, Judge Says (2)

3M Co. lost its fight to block jury trials in more than 230,000 lawsuits accusing it of harming US soldiers. The company’s shares fell the most in more than three years after the ruling.

US Bankruptcy Judge Jeffrey J. Graham refused to temporarily halt the lawsuits accusing 3M and its bankrupt subsidiary, Aearo Technologies, of selling faulty combat earplugs that damaged the hearing of veterans who used them.

“We are disappointed in the court’s ruling today and will be filing an appeal. Further litigation in the MDL court benefits no one,” the company said, referring to the federal multi-district ...