INDUSTRIAL AND WORK RELATED DEAFNESS

Exposure to certain industrial environments can cause serious illness, sometimes with long term consequences.

What is Industrial Deafness?

Industrial Deafness, also known as Occupational Deafness or Noise Induced Hearing Loss is a deterioration of a person’s hearing over a prolonged period of time as a result of exposure to noise at a place of work. The condition can often be accompanied by tinnitus, a high pitched buzzing and ringing in the ears which is intrusive and can have a detrimental impact on sleep.  Tinnitus is also permanent.

Who is responsible for your Occupational Deafness?

Your employer may be negligent!

Even if you were employed in a job where you had to use noisy equipment that does not mean that your employer did not have to act.    As a general rule, from 1963 onwards, employers had a duty to protect their employers from the risks of exposure to excessive noise.  From 1963 to the mid 1970s, employers were required to act when noise levels exceeded 90 decibels on average throughout a shift.  From the mid 1970s onwards, the duty to act was triggered when noise levels exceeded 85 decibels on average throughout a shift.  From 6 April 2006, the employer must take action where the levels are 80 decibels on average throughout a shift.

Given the passage of time, it is easy to assume that a claim for compensation for the hearing loss will not be successful.  That is not necessarily the case.  Even where a company has ceased trading it is possible to trace the insurer for the period of exposure and pursue a claim for damages against the insurance company.

Make a Claim

If you have developed deafness or any other illness as a result of your work, we can help you bring a successful claim if your employer has failed to act in compliance with legislation in place to protect employees and/or has acted negligently. We can provide expert advice on various types of industrial or occupational disease in addition to deafness such as vibration white finger (hand/arm vibration syndrome), bronchitis, occupational asthma (and other chest complaints), dermatitis (skin rash), repetitive strain injury, carpal tunnel syndrome and back injuries.