3M to Appeal $110 Million Verdict in Latest Combat Earplug Trial

3M Co. says it plans to appeal a Florida federal court jury’s $110 million award to two veterans in the 11th test trial over combat earplugs that service members say were defective and caused hearing loss.

Army veterans William Wayman and Ronald Sloan each were awarded $15 million in compensatory damages and $40 million in punitive damages Thursday. Theirs is the largest verdict in the bellwether process to date.

Each side had previously won five of the last 10 trials over 3M’s CAEv2 earplugs, bringing the new tally to six for the plaintiffs and five for 3M and its Aearo ...