Industrial Deafness
One physical work related problem that is often overlooked is industrial deafness. Loss of hearing however is just as serious as any other injury sustained in the workplace.
All employers have a duty of care to ensure that their employees are protected from damage to their hearing. As such, steps should be taken and equipment provided for anyone who works in or visits the premises where the environment is particularly noisy. Often work places where excessive noise is a problem are generally heavy engineering workshops, etc. In such situations employees are obliged to give their employees earplugs. Failure to do so gives the green light to anyone who believes they have a personal injury claim due to industrial deafness.
In 2005, the government enacted the Noise at Work Act, which put the onus on employers to reduce the risks to employees caused by exposure to loud noise. If they fail to do this and you sustain hearing loss or deafness as a result, then you are entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim.
However, outside of the working environment such places that might involve risk of hearing loss, which on the surface are innocuous, includes discos and nightclubs where very loud music is invariably played. Music played between 95 – 120 decibels is equivalent to the noise level of a pneumatic drill. In fact, this decibel level is 8 times the required level for ear protection in an industrial workshop environment.
If you have to make such a claim choose a no win no fee solicitor with experience in this area of the law.
