3M Gets Enough Participation to Seal $6 Billion Earplug Pact (1)

3M Co.‘s agreement to pay service members with hearing loss $6 billion has garnered more than 99% participation by claimants who used its combat earplugs, surpassing a threshold for finalizing the deal, the company said Tuesday.

3M could have walked away from the accord if fewer than 98% of claimants—mostly veterans—participated. The service members alleged 3M subsidiary Aearo Technologies LLC’s Combat Arms version 2 earplugs were ineffective. The devices were intended to block loud noises while allowing voices to be heard.

More than 293,000 people filed claims, of which more than 41,000 have been dismissed, according a press release ...