Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

Transcription

1 Hearing Loss and Tinnitus INJURY & NEGLIGENCE SPECIALISTS

2 My solicitor was professional and reassuring. I found it was more like speaking to a friend. Quote about Pannone part of Slater & Gordon, from Mr Isherwood, Manchester

3 WELCOME TO PANNONE PART OF SLATER & GORDON Many people realise as they begin to get older that their hearing is not as it once was. It may be that they are struggling to hear the TV, family members may have mentioned it to them, or they might find it difficult to follow conversations when they are out socialising. When this happens, most people put it down to getting older. However, if you have worked in a noisy environment, even if it was many years ago, this may well have contributed to your hearing problems. If you have hearing problems and worked in a noisy environment, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. This is because, your employers had a duty to provide you with adequate hearing protection. We can provide you with the best possible service. We are ranked No.1 Personal Injury Law Firm in the North West according to independent legal guides, with partners classed as Leaders in Their Field and we have a team of specialists who have a huge amount of expertise in Hearing Loss cases. We can offer you: A Free No Obligation Consultation A Free Hearing Test if we proceed with a claim Funding on a No Win No Fee basis For more information call Freephone

4 Injury & Negligence WHAT IS NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS? There are numerous causes of hearing loss, one of which is exposure to excessive noise. If you are exposed to high noise levels for a long period of time, this can damage your hearing. Examples of noise which can cause hearing damage are, attending rock concerts, firing guns and listening to loud music. However, the most common exposure to excessive noise is in the workplace. Noise Induced Hearing Loss, Work Related Hearing Loss, Industrial Deafness and Occupational Deafness are all phrases that describe hearing loss as a result of exposure to noise at work. WHAT IS TINNITUS? Exposure to excessive noise can not only cause hearing loss, but can also cause a condition known as tinnitus. Tinnitus is a medical term for any noise that people hear in their ears such as a ringing, buzzing, whistling or hissing. Tinnitus can be an intermittent or permanent ringing, buzzing, whistling or hissing which can be heard in one or both ears. It can affect concentration, disturb sleep and can be very distressing for the sufferer. Many people who suffer from tinnitus will also have a degree of hearing loss.

5 WHAT LINES OF WORK CAN CAUSE HEARING PROBLEMS? People who work, or have worked, in a noisy environment with noisy machinery over a prolonged period of time are at risk. Areas of employment include: Construction and Engineering Factories and Mills Processing Shipbuilding Stone Cutting and Quarrying Textile Industry Power Stations Steelworks Examples of noisy machinery include: Grinders Saws Jack hammers Drills Presses Pneumatic tools Compressors Looms Weaving machines 05

6 Injury & Negligence Lisa Kelsall, Senior Associate MAKING A CLAIM Lisa Kelsall, Senior Associate and hearing loss specialist, explains what is involved with making a claim for hearing loss. Having helped many clients over the years, we appreciate how developing hearing loss and/or tinnitus can change your life and affect your family. We are here to support you throughout your case and our team of specialists will fight to get you the best result possible. It is most important that you instruct a specialist solicitor who understands such claims as the legal issues can often be quite complex. Our team of specialists are very experienced in dealing with these types of claims and have been involved with some of the most important and groundbreaking Industrial Disease cases over the last 30 years.

7 I really enjoy seeing my clients benefit from getting a good result Lisa Kelsall, Senior Associate and Hearing Loss Specialist WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DECIDE TO GO AHEAD WITH A CLAIM? If you decide to go ahead with a claim, we will take details of your working history and your exposure to noise. If we think you have grounds to make a claim, we will arrange for you to have a hearing test to enable the claim to proceed. WHAT DO I DO IF THE COMPANY WHERE I WORKED HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS? Don t worry if the company has gone out of business. It is often still possible to trace their insurers. We have a team with unrivalled expertise in tracing insurers of companies which have been out of business for many years. We often take over cases and succeed in tracing companies insurers, where other firms have failed. 07

8 Injury & Negligence WHAT CAN I RECOVER IF MY CLAIM IS SUCCESSFUL? Compensation is awarded for pain and suffering to reflect the nature and severity of the condition. Other losses and expenses may be claimed such as: Loss of income as a result of your condition. Hearing aid costs Travelling expenses incurred as a result of your condition WHAT WILL IT COST? We understand that the cost of legal advice can be a worry, but if you do have a claim there are options available to fund your case, including no win, no fee. You may already have legal expense insurance under an existing insurance policy which will entitle you to free representation. We will check this for you. If you do not have legal expense insurance under an existing policy, we will represent you under a No Win No Fee Agreement. This means if your case fails, you do not have to pay anything.

9 ARE THERE TIME LIMITS? Please note, you must make your claim within 3 years from the date you first realised you had hearing loss or tinnitus, which may have been caused by exposure to noise from work. If you leave it longer, you may lose the right to make a claim. DO I NEED TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT STATE BENEFITS? As well as making a compensation claim, you may also be able to claim state benefits. We have a specialist disability rights team who can advise you on what you are entitled to. We will also ensure that any compensation will not affect any means tested benefits you receive. WHAT DO I DO NOW? Call us for a free consultation with one of our team of specialist lawyers who will discuss your condition with you and let you know how we can help. Their knowledge and experience are remarkable; they have a vast understanding and their negotiating skills are excellent. Quote from Chambers (Independent Legal Guide) 09

10 Injury & Negligence Sandra Potton Excellent in every way, and never falters in its support and availability Legal 500 (Independent Legal Guide)

11 CONTACT US Ranked No.1 Personal Injury Law Firm in the North West by independent legal guides Experienced specialist solicitors and principal lawyers who are leaders in their field Free no obligation consultation No Win, No Fee funding available National UK coverage Please contact us for an initial free, no obligation, consultation. Freephone [email protected] Pannone part of Slater & Gordon have offices nationwide. To find your local office visit For further information, please go to: 11

12 For more information, please contact Alicia Rendell on or Slater & Gordon (UK) LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.