There are over 500,000 workers in Great Britain who suffer from industrial deafness and other hearing problems caused by exposure to excessive noise in the workplace. Many of them have been compensated however there are still tens of thousands who have not started an industrial deafness, hearing loss or tinnitus compensation claim. Our service is completely risk free. Our solicitors operate the no win no fee scheme and you do not have to finance your claim. Compensation for industrial deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus is paid in full with absolutely no deductions. You won't have to take out any loan or pay for any expenses or insurance policy. If you would like free advice just use the helpline to speak to a specialist solicitor who is a member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority panel of personal injury experts without further obligation.
Tinnitus is a hearing problem where the sufferer hears sound that is not coming from an external source. It may include whistling, buzzing, roaring, grinding or ringing sounds and can range from mild to severe, with some sufferers only hearing sounds sometimes whilst others are plagued by constant noise. The most common cause of tinnitus is long term exposure to excessive noise in the workplace without the proper protective equipment.
To qualify under the UK Industrial Injuries Scheme administered the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), an employee must have worked in a workplace defined as 'noisy' for a minimum of ten years and have suffered a hearing loss of at least 50 decibels. However a 50 decibel hearing loss is quite significant and even if you haven't suffered that much of a hearing loss, you may be entitled to make a private application for industrial deafness compensation including hearing loss and tinnitus from your employer. Under the Health and Safety Act in the UK, employers must provide workers who have to work in a noisy environment with the proper protective equipment (e.g. ear protectors), train them on how to use the equipment properly and educate workers on the effects of long-term exposure to noise at the workplace. If your employer did not follow even one of these requirements it is possible to make a good case for a compensation claim.
The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) indicates that metal working machine operatives have the highest incidence of industrial deafness which generally affects four workers in every 100,000. Other industries that have a higher than average annual incidence rates of hearing-related injuries are: mineral extraction; energy, water supply, manufacturing (especially machine tool operators) and construction industries. Even if you do not work in one of these industries and have suffered industrial deafness, hearing loss or tinnitus due to exposure at your workplace, you may have a valid claim and need to contact a solicitor. The are many circumstances that may give rise to a claim for compensation for industrial deafness, hearing loss or tinnitus and it is in your interests to discuss your potential no win no fee claim with an expert personal injury solicitor as soon as possible.
The No Win No Fee claim scheme came into effect in 1998 when Legal Aid which was funded by central Government was withdrawn for most personal injury claims. The solicitor acting under a no win no fee agreement can claim his professional fees only if he wins compensation for his client and that payment is usually made by the losers or their insurance company. Some solicitors will however also charge their clients a percentage of their compensation and others will expect the client to finance all expenses whereas other solicitors will finance all expenses and make no percentage deduction from compensation so that compensation is paid in full. If the claim is lost then the solicitor will not be able to claim his professional fees and must write them off however if the client has paid for his own expenses then these will also be lost leaving the client out of pocket. No of this applies to our solicitors. We use the no win no fee scheme. We pay compensation in full – no deductions. We ask for no upfront payment for expenses or disbursements. Completely risk free – win or lose there is no charge. If you would like free advice just use the helpline to speak to a specialist solicitor without further obligation.