"3M Pays $6 Billion Settlement to Veterans Over Faulty Earplugs"

3M has agreed to pay $253 million to over 30,000 active service members and veterans in a settlement over a lawsuit alleging that its combat earplugs caused hearing loss and other related injuries. The earplugs, sold to the U.S. military from 1999-2015, were at the center of a larger $6 billion lawsuit involving more than 250,000 veterans and active service members. The settlement, announced in August, has received widespread support, and 3M will be sending the payment by the end of January. The lawsuit alleged that the earplugs were defective and did not provide adequate hearing protection, leading to hearing loss, tinnitus, and other injuries.