3M Combat Arms Earplug Lawsuit Settlement Calculator
MDL 2885 (N.D. Fla.) — $6.01B global settlement (August 2023). 249K+ veterans paid from 293K registered. CAEv2 earplugs issued 2003-2015 caused hearing loss + tinnitus
What's the average 3M earplug settlement amount? Average paid claimant: approximately $12,000-$15,000 (based on $3.1B across 249K claimants). Tier ranges: mild hearing loss/tinnitus $5K-$15K; moderate documented $15K-$75K; severe bilateral functional impact $75K-$250K; Extraordinary Injury Fund (EIF): up to $700,000 for most severely affected.
⚖ $6.01B Settlement Paid 2023-2029. 249,000+ veterans paid. Average $12K-$15K. Extraordinary Injury Fund up to $700K. No new claims accepted.
Your Case Details
Answer a few questions to see your estimated range.
Higher-tier injuries qualify for higher settlement tiers.
Estimated Settlement Tier
$105,000 — $195,000
Mass tort settlements use injury-severity tiers. Most MDLs have published payment matrices — your tier depends on diagnosis + exposure proof.
Editorially Reviewed — Content reviewed for accuracy using published legal research, government data, and verified court records. See our methodology
Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
3M Combat Arms Earplug — Historical / Resolved
3M Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 (CAEv2), issued to US military personnel 2003-2015, had design defect — imperceptibly loosened in ear canal, allowing damaging sound levels to pass through. Users were not warned. Veterans suffered noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis.
$6.01 billion global settlement agreed August 2023. The distribution phase is still running and is scheduled to continue through 2029. The last figures we were able to date precisely are from late January 2026: $3.1B+ paid to over 249,000 claimants out of 293,000 registered, with 100% of Early Payment Program and Wave Case claimants paid and the point-based Deferred Payment Program continuing. Treat those totals as a January 2026 snapshot, not a current balance — they only move upward. The underlying litigation is effectively over: the JPML's 3 August 2026 report shows 2 cases still pending out of 391,225 ever filed in MDL 2885.
16 bellwether trials before settlement — mixed results (approximately 10 plaintiff wins, 6 defense). Largest verdict: $77.5M (Aearo Technologies subsidiary, reversed on procedural grounds). Individual plaintiff verdicts ranged $1.7M-$13M. These outcomes drove 3M to settle globally rather than continue trials.
3M Combat Arms FAQs
Can I still file a 3M earplug claim in 2026?
Generally NO — settlement registration has closed for most categories. Consult the official settlement administrator at combatarmssettlement.com for current status. Late claims face program exclusion.
What's the average 3M earplug settlement amount?
Average paid claimant: approximately $12,000-$15,000 (based on $3.1B across 249K claimants). Tier ranges: mild hearing loss/tinnitus $5K-$15K; moderate documented $15K-$75K; severe bilateral functional impact $75K-$250K; Extraordinary Injury Fund (EIF): up to $700,000 for most severely affected.
Have all payments been made?
EPP + Wave payments complete. DPP point-based awards continue through 2029. Some claimants await point-based awards after October 2025. Structure: $5B cash + $1B in 3M stock, paid in tranches 2023-2029.
What if I have a VA rating for tinnitus — does that help?
Yes — VA disability ratings for auditory conditions are key supporting documents. Enhance your claim tier + document timeline of diagnosis relative to military service with CAEv2 use.
Did 3M admit wrongdoing in the settlement?
No — settlement included no admission of liability. Standard for mass tort settlements. 3M agreed to settlement to end litigation risk without admitting defective product or failure to warn.
Why are payments being made in 3M stock?
Structure: $5B cash + $1B in 3M stock. Stock component provides 3M with capital flexibility + allows staged distribution. Stock volatility affects actual payout value — claimants receiving stock-component awards face market risk.
Does this case relate to 3M PFAS water contamination?
No — entirely separate litigation. 3M PFAS (forever chemicals) cases are different MDL with separate settlement framework ($10.3B+ settled 2023). Combat Arms is specific to military earplugs.
Can I dispute my point allocation?
Limited. Some claimants dispute point allocations through settlement administrator's appeal process. Consult plaintiff attorney if you believe your allocation is incorrect relative to your injury documentation. Strict deadlines apply.
Related
Latest on This Case
What changed most recently — approvals, payment dates, deadlines, and the questions people keep asking.