UK law firm issues pre-action letter to American PPE giant 3M
A legal claim was launched today seeking justice and compensation for hearing-impaired British troops supplied with faulty combat earplugs by American PPE giant 3M.
KP Law, the specialist group action firm, issued its letter before action outlining the details of the claim on behalf of the thousands of clients it is representing.
This is the first case against 3M in the UK. It comes after the global conglomerate, headquartered in Minnesota, agreed in 2023 to set aside more than $6bn to settle claims from US military personnel.
300,000 British troops affected
3M supplied at least 400,000 sets of 3M Combat Arms Earplugs V2 to the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) over 20 years, from 2003 to 2023.
The Royal British Legion estimates more than 300,000 men and women who served in Britain’s Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force now suffer from life-changing hearing difficulties.
Among them is ex-British Army soldier Dave Watson, who lost both legs and his right arm in Afghanistan and has now been told he is going deaf after being supplied with 3M’s faulty earplugs.
Dave Watson lost three limbs in Helmund – now he’s going deaf
Invictus Games discus and shot put champion Dave, 38, from Romsley in Worcestershire, said: “It’s bad enough losing three limbs, but now I am having to wear hearing aids because I’m going deaf, thanks to this company supplying a shit product.”
The father of two and step-father of one suffers from tinnitus, a constant high-pitched ringing in his ears, and was recently told by doctors that he needs hearing aids in both ears.
Dave is among thousands of British service personnel who have joined KP Law’s claim against 3M.
He said of his hearing loss: “It stresses me out and makes me angry – the PPE we were given should have protected us, but it didn’t, so now, later on in life, we’re all going deaf, and it makes life so much more complicated.
“All the time I’ve got this ringing in my ears. Sometimes I wake up and it’s really loud. I can hear it constantly throughout the day. It affects me daily: my wife often has to shout at me because I can’t hear her. Recently, I had a hearing test and the doctor told me I need hearing aids for both ears.”
Dave became a triple amputee when he was blown up by an improvised explosive device during a routine foot patrol with 1st Battalion Scots Guards in Helmand Province in May 2010, leading to his immediate medical discharge from the British Army.
After a period of depression where he resorted to drink and drugs, Dave found hope and purpose in sport, going on to win gold in shot put and discus at several Invictus Games, including in Sydney in 2018. He has recently come out of retirement to train for the Invictus Games in Birmingham in 2027.
Dave added: “To learn that 3M were making millions of dollars selling a product that didn’t work is just bang out of order if you ask me. It’s bad enough losing three limbs, but now I am having to wear hearing aids because I’m going deaf, thanks to this company supplying a shit product.”
As well as hearing loss and tinnitus, many British troops now suffer from related issues including stress, anxiety and depression.
KP Law is seeking justice and compensation for British troops
KP Law launched a campaign earlier this year calling for affected UK veterans and armed forces personnel to sign up to its’ group action lawsuit against 3M.
With thousands now having joined the claim, KP Law’s pre-action letter today puts 3M on formal notice of potential court action in the UK seeking justice and compensation for British troops affected.
Tom Longstaff, partner and head of product liability at KP Law, said: “Our message is clear: the service men and women who used this defective product believed their hearing was protected as they risked their lives in combat. It is only right that they now receive justice and compensation, as has been made available to American users of the device in the United States.”
MP calling for public inquiry in 3M earplugs scandal
This month Neil Shastri-Hurst, MP for Solihull West & Shirley, demanded an independent public inquiry into the 3M earplugs scandal.
At defence questions in the House of Commons, addressing Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, he said: “For many veterans hearing loss is one of the hidden scars of service. In a number of cases that has been linked with defective 3M hearing equipment. Will the Minister use their arts of persuasion on the Prime Minister to have an independent inquiry to see the extent of this, whether any other equipment is involved and how we can prevent it happening again?”
Individuals who meet the following criteria are eligible to join KP Law’s class action lawsuit:
- Served in the armed forces
- Suffer from or suspect they suffer from hearing loss
- Used 3M Combat Arms Earplugs V2.
Join the claim: www.3Mclaims.co.uk
KP Law is working to obtain justice and compensation for eligible UK military personnel directly from the manufacturer 3M.
It is expected that KP Law’s claim will conclude far more swiftly than ongoing claims against the MoD, which have been going on for years and have so far resulted in very few people receiving compensation.
Military vets who have previously joined a claim against the MoD are also able to join KP Law’s claim against 3M. KP Law’s claim against 3M is entirely separate.
3M response
A spokesperson for 3M said: “3M has great respect for the British Armed Forces. We are proud of our commitment to keeping service members safe through the supply of 3M products and we take the allegations concerning our Combat Arms Earplug Version 2 seriously. When used properly, this product was safe and effective for its intended purpose.
“The resolution of previous litigation in the United States did not involve any admission of liability and 3M is prepared to defend itself in any litigation threatened in the English courts regarding that product.”
