Compensation for Industrial Deafness

If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss as a result of working in a noisy environment within the last 3 years you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries.

Exposure to noise must be after 1963

The key here is diagnosis and not the date or dates of exposure to the noise which caused the injury. The injury must have been sustained after 1963 as an injury caused before this is difficult to claim for. Legislation changed at this time and employers were made responsible by a duty of care towards their employees. Employers were responsible for supplying ear defenders and ensuring the protection was adequate. Employers were also required to enforce the wearing of the ear defenders. Thus employers were considered negligent if after this date if they did not comply with the regulations.

Temporary or permanent hearing loss

Hearing loss can be either a temporary or permanent injury. Temporary hearing loss usually occurs after exposure to loud noise for a few hours and will in normal circumstances return to normal after some time. Constant exposure to such high levels of noise could lead to permanent loss of hearing. It is not uncommon for the injury to take up to 10 years to be obvious. During this time you may not have noticed your hearing loss due to the gradual change.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus often proceeds deafness and in some cases can be caused by other medical conditions as well as exposure to industrial noise.

If you have been employed in any heavy industry then you are at risk. Typically shipbuilding, quarrying , mining, metalworking, wood cutting, transportation, drilling, agriculture and call centres are areas where hearing loss occurs.

Claiming compensation for industrial deafness

If you think that you suffer from such an injury and have a valid claim for compensation your first step is to get an audiologist report to determine the extent of your injury and establish the cause of the injuries.

Free audiology test and assessment of your case

Get a free audiology test and assessment of case by contacting Oscar Hamilton. You will get access to a specialist in industrial deafness who will provide you with free, honest advice. Simply call Oscar Hamilton on 08000 74 81 34 or fill in the claim form now.