If you are suffering from hearing loss and have worked in a noisy environment you should visit your GP (or audiologist such as Hidden Hearing) to have a free hearing test and professional diagnosis that you have Noise Induced Deafness.
In some cases, sufferers may develop Tinnitus as a result of exposure to excessive noise - claims can also be made for this condition.
Common barriers to sufferers coming forward
Inadequate protection provided
It is possible that your employer may have provided hearing protection but this will not necessarily defeat your claim since this will depend on when it was introduced and the type of protection provided.
Out of business
If your employer or place of work no longer exists, this will not necessarily mean that you cannot claim. Provided that we can find the relevant insurance company who insured your employers at the time you were exposed to noise you may still have a claim.
Out of time
Insurance companies will often try to say that your case is out of time and therefore it is imperative that as soon as you can think that you hearing may be caused by work that you act decisively and contact us without delay.
Pursuing a case
If your hearing loss is noise related and you think you may have a case against a negligent employer, you will need evidence to prove that you were exposed to excessive levels of noise e.g. you had to shout to be heard.
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Your solicitor will be able to advise on the evidence required, but typical examples include:
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Witnesses who worked with you who can confirm that your working environment was excessively noisy.
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Names of any ex colleagues who have claimed compensation for deafness
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The name of your foreman or supervisor
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Any letter or documents confirming where you worked
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Before seeing one of our legal team it is a good idea to try and write down in as much detail as possible the layout of workshop or department that you worked in and the names and types of machines that you worked with.
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Details of any hearing protection which was provided and the approximate date of introduction.
For advice and information on noise induced deafness claims and other work related illnesses please contact Kevin Bostock on 0114 266 6660 or email [email protected].
