Earlier this week, in Tallahassee, Florida, a federal court jury awarded $13 million to Guillermo Camarillorazo in the latest 3M bellwether trial.
Largest Single Plaintiff Award in 3M Bellwether Trial
Camarillorazo is a U.S. Army sergeant who claimed to suffer hearing damage as a result 3M’s military-issue earplugs. The verdict, under the jurisdiction of Northern District of Florida Chief Judge Mark Walker, included about $800,000 in compensatory damages and $12.25 million in punitive damages. This bellwether trial is the seventh one in a large multi-district litigation (MDL) concerning the Combat Arms Earplugs version 2 (CAEv2). It was the largest award yet for a single plaintiff.
This decision closely followed a verdict in favor of 3M. On Friday, November 12, a Pensacola jury, presided over by Northern District of Alabama Judge Liles Burke, rejected similar claims by Army veteran Joseph Palanki. In total, plaintiffs have won four trials, and 3M, three.
Regarding Monday’s loss, 3M said it was “disappointing” and plans to appeal. Conversely, the company believes that Friday’s verdict was an “important demonstration that jurors agree 3M’s CAEv2 product was safe and effective to use.”
Plaintiff lawyers believe that Camarillorazo “successful held 3M accountable for putting profits over the safety of those who served our nation.” In a separate statement, they shared their “deep respect and admiration” for Palanki and noted their confidence towards future trials.
What’s Next for 3M MDL
3M is facing more than 270,000 claims over the earplugs, which the U.S. military used between 2003 and 2015. The plaintiffs argue that they suffered hearing loss and damage, including tinnitus (a persistent ringing in the ears), because the earplugs were defective. 3M denies the claims.
Most of the cases are consolidated in the MDL before U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers in the Northern District of Florida. In the first five 3M bellwether trials, juries awarded a total of over $15 million to five plaintiffs. Nine more bellwether trials are scheduled between now and the end of May 2022.
For more information about the 3M bellwether trails and most recent settlement, contact us today.
Additional Reading:
Fifth Bellwether Trial for 3M Combat Earplugs Results in Defense Verdict
Florida Jury Awards $8.2 Million Against 3M Over Defective Combat Earplugs
3M Earplug Cases Sped Up Due to Backlog
Jury Verdict for Plaintiffs in Latest 3M Earplug Lawsuit
Tracy Everhart
Tracy Everhart is the Editor for Drug Law Journal. A highly-trained and certified medical professional, Tracy is also an accomplished medical writer. After spending years on the front lines of the medical profession, Tracy now devotes her expertise and skills to researching and reporting on new drugs and devices that enter the market, as well as their side-effects and the real-life stories involved. Prior to joining Drug Law Journal, Tracy wrote for benchmark online healthcare resources focused on families and, in particular, women’s health issues. Tracy holds post-graduate degrees from both the American College of Healthcare Sciences and the Yale School of Nursing. She is also a graduate of both Hampshire College, where she studied microbiology and the University of South Carolina school of nursing.