By Prime Law Hub 
The 3M earplugs lawsuit, formally known as the Combat Arms Earplugs litigation, reached a $6 billion global settlement in 2023 without admission of liability by 3M. As of February 2026, the settlement is in the active payout phase, with more than $3 billion already disbursed to eligible claimants, primarily military service members and veterans who used the dual-ended Combat Arms Version 2 (CAEv2) earplugs between approximately 2003 and 2015 and suffered hearing-related injuries such as hearing loss or tinnitus.
New claims are no longer being accepted. The registration and filing deadlines passed in 2023 and 2024, and the multidistrict litigation (MDL) reports zero or near-zero pending cases as of early 2026. The claims process is closed to new participants, and potential new lawsuits face significant barriers due to statutes of limitations and settlement terms.
If you previously filed a claim and participated in the settlement, you can check your status or payment details through the official portal at combatarmssettlement.com. For anyone who did not participate, consult a licensed attorney immediately to explore any remaining options, though success is unlikely.
This information reflects the latest available data as of January 30, 2026, from official sources. Settlement payouts continue on a phased basis through 2029, subject to funding milestones.
Key supporting sources:
- Official Combat Arms Settlement Program: https://www.combatarmssettlement.com/
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida (MDL No. 2885): https://www.flnd.uscourts.gov/3m-products-liability-litigation-mdl-no-2885
The 3M Combat Arms Earplugs litigation represents one of the largest mass tort resolutions in U.S. history, involving allegations that defective dual-ended earplugs failed to adequately protect military personnel from impulse noise, resulting in permanent hearing damage. The multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 2885), centralized in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida under Judge M. Casey Rodgers, consolidated hundreds of thousands of claims filed by service members, veterans, and some commercial users who alleged injuries from the Combat Arms Version 2 (CAEv2) earplugs manufactured by Aearo Technologies (acquired by 3M in 2008).
Without admitting liability, 3M agreed in August 2023 to a global settlement of up to $6 billion to resolve nearly all claims, covering both the federal MDL and related Minnesota state court actions. The agreement required high participation thresholds (ultimately exceeding 99%) to become effective, and those thresholds were met by early 2024.
As of February 1, 2026, the settlement remains in the disbursement phase, with BrownGreer PLC serving as the court-appointed Settlement Administrator. Payments are processed through multiple Master Settlement Agreements (MSAs), including Early Payment Programs (EPP), Deferred Payment Programs (DPP), and Extraordinary Injury Funds (EIF) for severe cases. Total disbursements exceeded $3.065 billion as of January 30, 2026, with phased payouts continuing through 2029 based on funding milestones.
Background & Legal Context
The CAEv2 earplugs were designed with a dual-ended configuration: one end intended for steady-state noise reduction and the other for impulse noise (such as gunfire or explosions). Plaintiffs alleged that the impulse-protection end was defective because it required users to fold back the flanges for proper function—an instruction allegedly not provided—and that 3M/Aearo knew of the defect as early as 2000 but failed to disclose it during government contracting.
A related qui tam False Claims Act case settled in 2018 for $9.1 million, establishing key facts about the defect without resolving individual injury claims. The MDL began in 2019, and bellwether trials yielded mixed results before the global settlement halted further litigation.
The settlement structure reflects common mass tort resolutions under federal multidistrict litigation procedures (28 U.S.C. § 1407), emphasizing efficiency, fairness hearings, and court oversight to protect claimants while allowing defendants to achieve global peace.
Key Legal Issues Explained
At its core, the litigation turned on product liability principles: design defect (the earplug’s alleged failure to perform as represented), failure to warn (inadequate instructions), and misrepresentation in government contracts. Plaintiffs relied on theories of strict liability and negligence, supported by medical evidence linking noise exposure to hearing loss and tinnitus.
The settlement avoided admission of liability and applied to “Eligible Claimants” who used the earplugs during qualifying service periods and suffered qualifying injuries. Awards were point-based in many cases, factoring injury severity, service documentation, and medical records.
Latest Developments & Case Status
By early 2026, the MDL has effectively wound down. Reports indicate zero active pending cases in the Northern District of Florida as of January 2026, down from a peak of over 391,000 filings. Settlement implementation orders (e.g., Case Management Order No. 86, March 2024) continue to guide administration, but no new trial activity is occurring.
Payouts remain active:
- EPP payments began April 15, 2025.
- DPP point-based awards deferred until after October 1, 2025.
- EIF payments issued for severe injuries (530 claimants paid as of January 30, 2026).
Deadlines for new registrations, extraordinary injury applications, and related submissions passed in 2024 (e.g., MSA I EIF deadline July 26, 2024; withdrawal deadline September 23, 2024).
Who Is Affected & Potential Impact
The primary affected group is U.S. military service members and veterans issued the CAEv2 earplugs between 2003 and 2015. Eligibility generally required documented use during service and medical evidence of hearing-related injury.
Impacts include:
- Financial relief for participants through settlement awards.
- Ongoing lien resolutions (e.g., TRICARE, Medicare).
- Broader implications for military procurement standards and product liability in government contracts.
Non-participants or late claimants face high barriers: statutes of limitations (typically 2–6 years depending on state and discovery rule) have likely expired, and the settlement bars most future claims against 3M for covered injuries.
What This Means Going Forward
The resolution underscores the challenges and scale of mass torts involving military personnel and defective protective equipment. It highlights the importance of timely filing, thorough documentation, and participation in settlement programs when available.
Payouts will continue in phases, with potential insurance recoveries by 3M offsetting some costs. Claimants should monitor the official portal for updates on liens, payments, and tax implications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still file a new claim in the 3M earplugs lawsuit?
No. The claims filing and registration period closed in 2023–2024. New individual lawsuits are unlikely to succeed due to time bars and settlement preclusion.
How do I check the status of my existing claim?
Log in to the secure portal at https://www.combatarmssettlement.com/ using claimant or counsel credentials. Contact your primary counsel or the Settlement Administrator for assistance.
What was the average payout?
Awards varied by injury severity and program (EPP, DPP, EIF). Specific amounts are individualized and confidential; consult your attorney or the portal for personal details.
Are payments taxable?
Settlement proceeds for physical injuries are generally non-taxable under IRC § 104(a)(2), but portions for lost wages or punitive elements may be. Consult a tax professional.
What if I received a suspicious call about my claim?
Beware of scams. The court has warned of fraudulent calls posing as the administrator. Official communications come only through the portal or verified counsel.
Where can I find official documents?
Visit https://www.combatarmssettlement.com/ or the MDL docket at https://www.flnd.uscourts.gov/3m-products-liability-litigation-mdl-no-2885.
Conclusion
The 3M Combat Arms Earplugs settlement provides substantial compensation to hundreds of thousands of service members who suffered hearing injuries from allegedly defective equipment. While the opportunity to file new claims has passed, the ongoing payouts demonstrate the legal system’s capacity to address large-scale harm efficiently under court supervision.
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