3M Combat Arms Earplug Settlement, Are You Still Eligible to Receive Payment?

3M Company agreed to pay $6.01 billion to resolve more than 293,000 lawsuits filed by U.S. military veterans and service members who suffered hearing loss and tinnitus from defective Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 (CAEv2). The settlement — the largest mass tort in U.S. history — is now in its final payout phase. By late January 2026, the settlement program had distributed more than $3.1 billion to claimants. New claims are closed. If you were already enrolled, your payment status depends on which payment program you selected.

Quick Facts Table

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$6.01 billion
New Claim Deadline	CLOSED — registration period has ended
Who Qualifies	U.S. military service members/veterans who used CAEv2 earplugs (1999–2015) and suffered hearing loss or tinnitus
Payout Per Person	~$7,000–$750,000+ depending on injury severity and tier
Proof Required	Yes — military service records + medical documentation
Settlement Status	Final — Active payout phase
Administrator	BrownGreer (Settlement Portal)
Official Website	combatarmssettlement.com

 March 2026 Status: Where Does the Settlement Stand Right Now?

As of March 2026, there were zero 3M Combat Arms earplug lawsuits pending out of the 391,221 that had been filed in the Northern District of Florida. The litigation is essentially resolved. Here’s what is still happening:

• 100% of Early Payment Program (EPP) claimants and all Wave Case claimants have been paid, with more than $3.06 billion distributed to veterans and service members.
• Registration payments under the Deferred Payment Program are essentially complete, with point-based DPP awards scheduled to begin after October 2025.
• A Special Master issued a report in March 2026 examining claims submitted on behalf of Ugandan clients, concluding that the problems stemmed from serious failures by the law firm responsible — not the settlement system itself.
• Most attorneys are no longer accepting new 3M Combat Arms earplug cases.

What Were the 3M Combat Arms Earplugs?

Combat Arms Earplugs were used by the U.S. military from 2003 to 2015, including deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. They were designed to protect service members’ hearing during combat operations and training exercises.

The problem was in the design. The litigation originated from a 2016 False Claims Act complaint filed by competitor Moldex-Metric, alleging 3M knowingly supplied defective dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 to the U.S. military. Plaintiffs alleged that the earplugs were too short to form a proper seal in most ears, allowing dangerous sound levels to pass through — without the wearer knowing.

Prior to settling, 3M lost 10 of its 16 bellwether trials, in which juries awarded more than $250 million to plaintiffs. Those trial results — combined with nearly 300,000 pending lawsuits — pushed 3M to the negotiating table.

Related article: 3M Earplug Settlement, When Will You Get Paid and How Much?

Who Was Eligible to File a Claim?

The claim registration period is now closed. However, if you previously enrolled, here is what the eligibility requirements were:

• You may qualify if you served in the U.S. military (active duty, National Guard, or Reserves) between 2003 and 2015
• You may qualify if you used the dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 (CAEv2) during that period
• You may qualify if you were diagnosed with tinnitus or hearing loss prior to the settlement cutoff dates
• You may qualify if your medical records document the hearing injury and link it to service exposure
• You may qualify if you filed a lawsuit or registered with a participating law firm before the enrollment deadline

The Master Settlement Agreement covers claims against 3M concerning Combat Arms Version 2 earplugs manufactured from 1999 to 2015.

How Much Can Veterans Receive?

Payout amounts vary significantly based on injury severity, medical documentation, and which payment program a claimant enrolled in.

Claimants are classified under a seven-tier injury scale, with awards ranging from $7,000 for minor hearing loss to $750,000 for severe or permanent impairment.

Claimants with severe, life-altering hearing damage may be eligible for the Extraordinary Injury Fund, designed to provide additional compensation beyond standard levels, potentially reaching up to $700,000 for those with the most documented trauma.

The two main payment tracks worked like this:

Expedited Payment Program (EPP): Fixed amounts paid quickly, regardless of full medical review. Most EPP claimants have already been paid.

Deferred Payment Program (DPP): Point-based awards calculated on medical evidence. For DPP claimants, 2026 is the primary year for fund distribution, with payments being released in large batches throughout the first half of the year.

A standout result in the litigation was a $3 million award to a service member who suffered permanent hearing loss due to the defective design of the earplugs.

3M’s payment schedule totals about $1.4 billion in 2024, slowly increasing each year until 2029 to reach the full $6 billion. Payments consist of $5 billion in cash and $1 billion in 3M stock.

I Already Filed — What Do I Do Now?

If you are an existing claimant, here are the steps to check your payment status:

Step 1 — Visit the official settlement portal at combatarmssettlement.com Step 2 — Click “Claimant Login” and sign in to your BrownGreer Portal account Step 3 — Check your payment program status (EPP, DPP, or EIF) Step 4 — Review any outstanding notices or required documentation requests Step 5 — If you have a point-based DPP award, monitor your portal for the batch payment schedule Step 6 — Contact your primary counsel (the attorney who filed your case) with any specific questions about your award amount

Estimated time to review your portal status: 5–10 minutes.

If your attorney is no longer responding: Contact BrownGreer directly through the official portal. Do not rely on third-party websites claiming to process claims on your behalf.

Can You Still File a New Claim in 2026?

The short answer: No, for almost all veterans.

As of March 2026, most lawyers are no longer accepting new 3M Combat Arms earplug cases. The MDL has zero pending cases remaining. If you missed the enrollment window, your options are extremely limited.

However, a small number of situations may still be worth consulting a veteran’s benefits attorney about:

• If you believe you were improperly excluded from the settlement
• If you experienced hearing loss from 3M earplugs but never filed, consult a VA disability attorney — VA disability claims operate on a separate track from civil litigation and may still be available
• If you are a veteran experiencing hearing loss for the first time being diagnosed, explore VA audiological services independently of this settlement

Important Dates & Settlement Timeline

Milestone	Date
3M Whistleblower False Claims Act Case Filed	2016
3M Pays U.S. Government $9.1M (whistleblower)	July 2018
MDL Established (N.D. Florida)	April 2019
Judge Sanctions 3M for Bad Faith	December 2022
Master Settlement Agreement Signed	August 29, 2023
99%+ Claimant Participation Confirmed	March 26, 2024
First Wave of Payments Begin	January 2024
$819.7M Paid to 47,923 Claimants	July 2024
EPP + Wave Case Payments 100% Complete	February 2026
Over $3.06 Billion Distributed Total	February 20, 2026
DPP Point-Based Payments (ongoing)	Through 2029
Full $6.01 Billion Payment Target	2029

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still file a new 3M earplug claim in 2026?

 No. The claim enrollment period for the $6.01 billion settlement is closed. As of March 2026, zero cases remain pending in the MDL. Most attorneys are no longer accepting new 3M earplug cases. If you have hearing loss from military service, explore VA disability benefits as a separate option.

How do I check if my 3M settlement payment has been processed? 

Log in to your account at combatarmssettlement.com through the “Claimant Login” portal managed by BrownGreer. Your dashboard shows your payment program, award status, and any pending documentation requests. Contact your attorney if you have questions about your specific award amount.

How much will I receive from the 3M earplug settlement?

 Payouts depend on your injury tier, medical documentation, and the payment program you enrolled in. Awards range from approximately $7,000 for minor hearing loss to $750,000 or more for severe, permanent impairment under the Extraordinary Injury Fund. Your attorney can provide your specific point allocation.

Do I need a lawyer to receive my payment?

 If you already enrolled through an attorney, that attorney remains your primary counsel for the settlement. You do not need to hire a new lawyer to receive payments already processed. Contact your original attorney or access the BrownGreer portal directly.

Is the 3M earplug settlement legitimate? 

Yes. The $6.01 billion settlement is court-approved federal litigation administered through a U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Florida. BrownGreer, a nationally recognized settlement administrator, manages all payments. The official website is combatarmssettlement.com — no legitimate fee is required to check your claim status.

When will I receive my DPP payment? 

Deferred Payment Program point-based awards are being distributed in batches. Most registration payments are complete. Full DPP point-based payouts are scheduled to continue through 2029, with large batch distributions occurring throughout 2026. Check your BrownGreer portal for your specific batch assignment.

Will my 3M settlement payment affect my taxes?

 Portions of your settlement payment may be taxable depending on what the award covers. Compensation for physical injuries is generally not taxable under federal law, but amounts tied to lost wages or punitive damages may be. Consult a tax professional or CPA before filing your return in the year you receive payment.

What if I missed the claim deadline?

 If you missed the enrollment deadline for the civil settlement, you cannot re-enter the program. However, VA disability claims for hearing loss and tinnitus operate separately from this lawsuit and have different filing rules. Contact the VA or a veterans’ service organization (VSO) to explore that route independently.

Sources & References

• Official Settlement Website: combatarmssettlement.com
• 3M Official Press Release (March 26, 2024): investors.3m.com

Last Updated: April 17, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.