Judge denies 3M's attempt to settle earplug lawsuits in bankruptcy court.
A US judge has rejected 3M subsidiary Aearo Technologies' bankruptcy filing, which aimed to resolve nearly 260,000 lawsuits alleging that 3M military earplugs caused hearing loss for veterans and US service members. The judge ruled that Aearo, as a well-supported subsidiary of 3M, enjoys a "greater degree of financial security than warrants bankruptcy protection." The lawsuits are the largest mass tort in US history, with nearly 330,000 cases filed and approximately 260,000 pending cases.
