Deafness
Deafness and/or tinnitus can have a devastating impact upon you and your family. If you've suffered hearing loss and/or tinnitus, you have the right to make a compensation claim.
Should I bring a noise induced hearing loss claim against my employer?
By law, your employer has a duty to protect you in the workplace and to keep you informed about health and safety matters. Your employer must provide a work environment that is safe to work in and to reduce the risk of causing damage to your hearing.
Many people are initially reluctant to bring a hearing loss claim against their employer, which is understandable. However, employers who do not fulfill their responsibilities to provide a safe working environment are not only breaking the law, but also putting your health at risk.
All employers should have insurance for hearing loss claims, so you have every right to make a claim for any deafness and/or tinnitus you have suffered.
What are my employer's responsibilities to protect me from excessive levels of noise?
To minimise the probability of you suffering hearing loss, acoustic shock and/or tinnitus, your employer must comply with health and safety laws and regulations, and should:
- undertake a risk assessment to consider sources of loud and excessive noise
- take steps to reduce excessive levels of noise
- provide health and safety training
- provide appropriate safety equipment, including ear defenders
If you're in any doubt about whether or not you have a claim, please contact us for a free, no obligation consultation.
Important things to consider when deciding to make a claim for hearing loss and/or tinnitus
Ultimately, only you can decide whether or not to make a claim. We can help you make that decision, but it is worth remembering:
- if you're claiming in respect of deafness and/or tinnitus, you need to make a claim within three years of the date you knew your hearing loss and/or tinnitus was caused by your work
- if successful, your employer's insurers will settle your claim
- you may be able to claim for the cost of state-of-the-art hearing aids, which may not be available on the NHS.
Why use Access Legal from Shoosmiths?
- We've successfully represented numerous workers who have suffered noise induced hearing loss and/or tinnitus as a result of exposure to loud and excessive noises in the workplace.
- We have a team of highly professional lawyers and experts who specialize in industrial deafness/noise induced hearing loss claims.
- We provide our clients with an individually tailored service to meet your needs.
- We take the time to understand your situation, clearly explain everything you need to know and are sympathetic and supportive of what you need to achieve.
- We provide free initial advice and will pursue claims on a no-win-no-fee basis.
