U.S. judge penalizes 3M, bars it from shifting liability in earplug litigation

U.S. judge penalizes 3M, bars it from shifting liability in earplug litigation

A U.S. judge on Thursday barred 3M Co from trying to avoid liability for injuries current and former U.S. military members sustained from its allegedly defective earplugs by shifting blame to a subsidiary. U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers, the Pensacola,...
Surprise! U.S. Chamber backs 3M, argues bankruptcy is fix for mass tort ills

Surprise! U.S. Chamber backs 3M, argues bankruptcy is fix for mass tort ills

Dec 20 – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Tort Reform Association told the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday that bankruptcy is often the only way for an otherwise healthy company to resolve “catastrophic” mass torts exposure because...
MDL Judge Pushes 3M Earplug Settlement Negotiations During Stay of Litigation

MDL Judge Pushes 3M Earplug Settlement Negotiations During Stay of Litigation

In advance of issuing an anticipated ruling about whether 3M Company can be held independently liable for Combat Arms Earplugs developed by its now-bankrupt subsidiary, the U.S. District Judge presiding over the litigation has announced a stay for all deadlines while...
3M denied new trial after jury awarded ex-Green Beret $50m damages in MMM faulty earplug injury lawsuit verdict

3M denied new trial after jury awarded ex-Green Beret $50m damages in MMM faulty earplug injury lawsuit verdict

3M (MMM) has been making headlines this year and for all the wrong reasons. The healthcare and consumer goods group, famous for its face masks, can no longer hide its troubled legal woes and it has now been denied a new trial, after a jury awarded a veteran Green...
‘Texas two-step’: the US authorized transfer letting companies off the hook

‘Texas two-step’: the US authorized transfer letting companies off the hook

Nathan Frei first seen the persistent ringing in his ears shortly after he returned from coaching with the US navy. “I thought it was a noise from some electronic gadget and started looking around my apartment to find it. But then I realised the ringing was in my...
Combat Arms Earplug Manufacturer 3M Must Stop Mistreating Veterans

Combat Arms Earplug Manufacturer 3M Must Stop Mistreating Veterans

Beginning in 2003, 3M sold an earplug called the Combat Arms to every branch of the military; they later became standard issue throughout much of the armed forces for soldiers deploying to combat zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan. In civilian life, people are rarely...