Occupational hearing loss – are you owed compensation?

In general the common link between occupational hearing loss sufferers, is they have at some point worked in an excessively noisy environment with no ear protection.

Anybody working in a noisy environment for prolonged periods without ear protection is at risk of suffering hearing loss. However providing your hearing is protected you should not be harmed.

If you have experienced hearing loss caused by your job, a call to us at Imperium Law on 0800 633 5730 could get you the compensation you deserve.

Industries commonly associated with hearing loss.

The most common industries associated with hearing loss include:

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• mining.
• shipbuilding.
• construction.
• metal working.
• warehouse work.

Health and Safety Act 1974.

Prior to the implementation of the 1974 Act, employers were not required to offer ear plugs or ear defenders to employees. Since the Act employers are required by law to protect workers from harm, and while the vast majority of employers have adhered to Health and Safety requirements, some have not and workers have paid a price with their hearing.

Control Noise At Work Regulations 2005.

In addition to the 1974 Act, the government also launched the Control Noise At Work Regulations 2005, which set out the precautions employers must take to reduce workers exposure to noise. While this legislation was put in place to protect employers, it has had the effect of opening up employers to claims from employees whose hearing has been damaged at work.

Your employer has a duty of care to protect you from harm at work, if they have failed in their duty you are entitled to compensation.

Claim time limits

Whether your hearing was damaged 30 years ago or 30 weeks ago, you are entitled to compensation if your employer was at fault.

There is a strict time limit in place for making a claim, which is three years from when you began to notice your hearing was impaired or three years from your medical diagnosis.

Even if you suffered the damage 20 years ago you can still make a claim if you have only recently been diagnosed.

If after a medical examination it can be proved that your hearing loss was caused by your work you are entitled to make a claim against your employer.

Even if the company is no longer in business a claim can be made against the company’s insurers.

Symptoms of hearing damage to watch out for.

Many people who have experienced occupational hearing damage complain of a buzzing or ringing in their ears, as well as a gradual or sudden loss of hearing which often happens prematurely in life.

Tinnitus is a common complaint amongst hearing loss sufferers, its a constant buzzing in your ears even when there is no external sound. Its a condition which maybe a sign of the beginning of industrial deafness.

If you are suffering from tinnitus or have experienced a reduction in your ability to hear seek medical advice. Your hearing will be examined by a hearing loss expert and if it can be proved it was caused by your job you are entitled to make a claim.

Choosing the right claims solicitor.

For free no-obligation claims advice call us on 0800 633 5730.

Hearing loss claims can be complex, therefore it is vital to seek legal advice at an early stage and choose a solicitor with expert knowledge in this area of law.

At Imperium Law, our specialist hearing loss team is led by company director Philip Jackson who has had a vast amount of experience and success winning claims for workers.

Philip has both legal knowledge and a medical understanding of hearing loss which greatly increases your chances of a claim success.

Compensation values.

Payouts vary according to the extent of the hearing damage but can range from £3,000 up to £70,000.

To find out how much you could claim call and speak to us, once we have all the details of your claim we can give you an idea of how much you could be due.

If your hearing has been damaged at work call for free no-obligation claims advice on 0800 633 5730, or fill in our contact form and we will call you back.