Hearing Loss from Injuries

We live in a noisy world. The grinding and clacking of machines at work, leaf blowing equipment, headphones with music at high volume – it is no wonder that hearing loss is a significant health issue today. When your hearing is damaged due to the fault of someone else, however, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that since 2004 nearly 125,000 workers have suffered significant, permanent hearing loss. Exposure to high levels of noise is a major cause of such trauma. Saddest of all, this type of hearing malady often cannot be rectified by hearing aids or even surgery — all the more reason that anyone suffering hearing loss, or anyone regularly exposed to high noise levels in the workplace, should seek the services of a New York hearing loss attorney.
Even short-term exposure to high-level noise can cause significant suffering, including tinnitus, characterized by a persistent ringing in the ears. OSHA identifies a number of symptoms associated with exposure to noise. These include diminished hearing, physical and psychological stress, and decreased productivity. Also, communication attenuation can occur and lead to secondary, though very serious, injuries when a worker’s impaired hearing prevents him or her from sensing danger.
Such occurrences can be the subject of workers’ compensation claims for injuries in the workplace. If the source of high-level noise is a person or company other than an employer, the injured victim may bring a civil case in court. In either context, a New York hearing loss attorney is qualified to represent the victim who may be entitled to compensation in the form of money damages.
A victim may be compensated for the condition of hearing loss, as well as loss of wages, hospitalization, physical therapy, cost of medical devices, and pain and suffering. A major component of damages in hearing loss cases is diminution of the quality of life – the inability to have normal interaction with others, to hear music or the voices of loved ones, or to engage in social activities.
If you or a loved one has lost your hearing in a New York personal injury accident, the experienced New York hearing loss attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us at (1-800-967-5496) for a free and comprehensive consultation. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have suffered a serious hearing injury in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.