Number of Worksite Hearing Loss Compensation Claims Rising Up In the UK

The number of workplace hearing loss compensation claims has been steadily increasing in the UK. Zurich, one of the top insurance companies in Europe, has recently reported that the number of hearing loss claims has been pushed up by about 25% last year. With the rise in the worksite deafness claims, the total annual claims in the UK have become 35,000. This huge figure is definitely an issue of great concern, but what is more concerning is the fear that a huge number of the worksite hearing loss claims may be warped. These fears have urged the insurance companies refer hearing loss cases as the new whiplash” claims. Workplace deafness cases are handled in the same manner as the accident at work cases. The occupational deafness claims usually come from the hospitality, manufacturing and catering sectors.

Noise induced deafness can take many years, and sometimes, even decades to show up or it can occur all of a sudden. Gradual hearing loss due to continuous noise in the worksite is not uncommon. Deafness caused by a traumatic event usually occurs suddenly. Workers operating loud equipments usually suffer from gradual hearing loss and are eligible for workplace deafness claims.

When Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlined the constituents of a workplace hearing conservation program in 1983, it largely depended on annual audiometric testing and rigorous training as the means in restricting noise-induced hearing loss in the worksites.

Practically, the causes responsible for occupational deafness cannot be easily resolved by a simple audiogram or the implementation of a training program. Many workers suffer from occupational deafness due to off-the-job exposures but know about their problem only by means of audiometric testing. Thus, noise induced deafness is attributed to the job they are engaged in. Moreover, the cycle of annual audiometric testing is noticeably slow in recognizing the problems.

Compensation for occupational deafness claims usually range between ₤3000 and -₤80,000. The amount of compensation is clearly decided on the basis of a clear diagnosis. Those suffering from total deafness after a workplace accident can expect to acquire high amounts of compensation, while those subjected to mild or occasional hearing loss can expect to receive about ₤3000 pounds.

The government of the UK has made it mandatory to show proper evidence substantiating the occurrence of industrial hearing loss. Those who have sustained a workplace hearing loss should preserve the medical prescriptions supporting their deafness. Apart from accumulating the evidences, the affected workers can resort to audiogram to prove that they are suffering from deafness problem. However, proving deafness and establishing that it is the result of the noisy environment in the worksite are different. Thus, it is always better to approach no win no fee solicitors to get professional advice regarding filing the compensation claim. The legal system of the UK demands the employers to be responsible enough to take measures and ensure a safe, secure and healthy work environment.