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ITV News
20-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Thousands of veterans thought to be affected by faulty earplugs supplied to the military
Words by ITV News Producer Cat Dinneny Tens of thousands of British military personnel could have suffered hearing loss or damage as a result of faulty ear defenders. American firm 3M supplied at least 400,000 sets of its Combat Arms Earplugs to the Ministry of Defence over a 20-year period, but it's alleged they were defective. The company is now being sued in the UK after settling a $6 billion lawsuit in the US for similar allegations. Tom Longstaff, a partner at KP Law, which is launching the class action, said: "3M will have known its earplugs were defective while still supplying them to the UK military. It is only right that the men and women whose lives have been impacted receive justice and compensation.' The ear defenders were commonly used in the military between 2003 and 2023. 3M has previously said the settlement in the US was not an admission of liability and added that the products "are safe and effective when used properly." Speaking to ITV News, Mr Longstaff said: "It suffered from a design defect which meant the product wasn't fit for purpose and didn't protect members of the Armed Forces against very loud levels of noise to which they were exposed." It's estimated tens of thousands of veterans and servicemen and women have experienced hearing loss, tinnitus and related issues, including stress, anxiety and depression as a result of using them. Adam Stone served as a Corporal in the Royal Marines between 2003 and 2012, including a tour of Iraq. He has hearing loss in his left ear and said he regularly used the 3M ear defenders. He told ITV News: "Depending on the setting, it was far easier to wear the little ones. They felt absolutely fine, but that's under the assumption that you're putting something in your ear that actually works. "There was the odd occasion when you'd hear a noise and you'd think 'that's pretty loud'... but you use what you're supplied." He started experiencing tinnitus while he was still serving, but it wasn't until he left the military that he got his hearing looked at. "I was increasingly starting to struggle in social settings, in conversations and in busy places. I suspected that my hearing had taken a bit of a knock, so I went and had it checked out, and they confirmed there was a fair amount of hearing loss in my left ear." He was given a hearing aid, but finds it uncomfortable due to the amount of background noise it picks up. Mr Stone added: "I'm back at square one. It's very difficult to keep track of who's saying what, particularly in large settings. "Generally, I tend to find that I exclude myself from big conversations, and I'd rather go off and chat with someone one-on-one. Or, the alternative is to pretend you've heard what's been said, go along with it and then walk away completely oblivious." David Pettifer, who also served in the Royal Marines, says British servicemen and women "deserved better". The veteran, from Birmingham, said: 'It's a huge disappointment to know that a massive conglomerate like 3M, who were obligated to supply soldiers with quality equipment which worked properly, were willing to put profit over the welfare of individuals who step up to serve their country. "I think I can speak for all British servicemen and women who have been affected by this betrayal when I say that we deserved a lot better.' Mr Pettifer worked with the heavy weapons and anti-tank sub-unit between 2002 and 2012, completing three tours in Afghanistan. The 47-year-old added: "My hearing loss affects me on a daily basis, even to the point where my wife has to keep repeating things when I mishear. "In other instances, including in the work I've done since leaving the Marines, I have often felt embarrassed when I've had to ask people to repeat themselves after not hearing them correctly.' KP Law is encouraging people to come forward if they think they might have been affected by the ear defenders. Mr Longstaff said: 'One of the British military's core values is integrity. By supplying earplugs they knew were defective, 3M showed no integrity. "It is only right that the men and women whose lives have been impacted receive justice and compensation.' The Ministry of Defence says it would not comment on ongoing legal proceedings. ITV News has contacted 3M for a response.
The Guardian
04-02-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Thousands to sue Johnson & Johnson in UK over alleged talc link to cancer
Lawyers representing 3,500 British claimants are preparing to sue the pharmaceutical firm Johnson & Johnson (J&J) over alleged links between talcum powder and cancer, in what is expected to be one of the largest pharmaceutical product group actions in English and Welsh legal history. They claim that thousands of women and some men contracted cancers after using J&J talcum powder products that had been contaminated with asbestos. The specialist legal firm KP Law alleges that the US-based multinational knew as early as the 1970s that its talc products contained dangerous asbestos but failed to warn consumers and carried on selling the products in the UK until 2022. It is making preparations to file papers this month at the high court in London, after it says J&J failed to respond to a letter of claim filed in August 2024. The number of British-based claimants has soared from 1,900 represented by the firm just last November. They include many cases of ovarian cancer and smaller numbers who have contracted mesothelioma and peritoneal cancer. J&J has been the subject of long-running lawsuits in the US over similar allegations of cancer links to talc, which it disputes. The firm has proposed paying billions of dollars to settle almost 60,000 US claims, while continuing to deny that its products have caused cancer. This will be the first time the company has faced a legal challenge on the issue in a British court. Tom Longstaff, a partner at KP Law who is leading the UK case, said: 'All the claimants who have sustained cancer after using J&J's talcum powder products have experienced a life-changing illness. In some cases they have died from their cancer, leaving their families devastated. All of these innocent individuals deserve justice.' A spokesperson for Johnson & Johnson said: 'We sympathise deeply with people who suffer from cancer and understand that they and their families want answers, but the robust science shows that use of our talc-based powder does not cause cancer. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion 'For over a decade, lawyers in the United States have created unfounded confusion and unnecessary fear about talc, an ingredient that has been used safely in foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and consumer products for decades. It is clear that lawyers are now seeking to exploit cancer patients and their families in the United Kingdom by spreading this same fear. 'We stand behind the safety of talc-based Johnson's baby powder. Decades of testing by medical experts at leading institutions in the UK and around the world using the most state-of-the-art testing protocols demonstrates that the product is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer.'
