New 3M Combat Earplug Verdict Yields $2.2 Million for Veteran

A U.S. Army veteran alleging 3M Co. and its Aearo Technologies LLC subsidiary’s combat earplugs failed to protect his hearing won the 15th bellwether trial in the massive litigation, with a jury verdict of $2.2 million in federal court in Florida.

“It is clear 3M’s defenses—whether in the courts, to investors, or the public—are unconvincing and without merit,” said a joint statement from lead plaintiffs’ counsel in the federal multidistrict litigation and Douglas C. Monsour, who was veteran Jonathon Vaughn’s lead trial counsel.

The company, meanwhile, said it will appeal and that the judgment will be reduced under Colorado law ...