THE House Committee on Federal and Foreign Affairs is asking Attorney General Edward Manibusan to provide legal assistance to CNMI veterans who may sue 3M for hearing loss and tinnitus caused by defective dual-sided black and yellow combat arms earplugs that were provided by the U.S. military from 2003 to 2015.
The letter to the AG was signed by committee chair Vicente C. Camacho and committee members Roy Ada, Celina Babauta, Richard Lizama, Edwin Propst, Tina Sablan and Leila Staffler.
Camacho said there are various national lawsuits against 3M.
On May 20, 2022, a $77.5 million judgment was awarded in Beal v. 3M after a two-week jury trial in Pensacola, Florida.
Eleven days later, an initial $55 million judgment awarded in Wayman v. 3M was reduced to $21.7 million due to limits on punitive damages under Colorado law.
As of June, a case management order provided for hundreds of additional lawsuits to go forward, on top of other cases currently set for jury trial and those cases pending appeal by 3M.
Camacho said filing claims against 3M will not affect any service-related disability benefits for which CNMI veterans are eligible or are currently receiving.
As of June 9, 2022, there were nearly 300,000 servicemembers and veterans suing 3M.
To his knowledge, Camacho said none are CNMI residents.
However, he said, as a veteran and chair of the federal and foreign affairs committee, he prays, along with his colleagues, for the Office of the Attorney General’s diligent attention and response to their request.
