A Burnley company, which manufactures flooring surfaces for horse riding centres, was recently fined £16,000 after the Health and Safety Executive found that members of the workforce were frequently exposed to high noise levels caused by a granulator machine. Despite a previous warning, the HSE noted that adequate safety procedures had still not been implemented.
The case highlights the importance of providing protection from high noise levels. In the past, rules and regulations were often ignored, resulting in many cases of industrial deafness among former employees. This frustrating, and often painful, condition generally affects victims for the rest of their lives, and often results in permanent total deafness.
Victims of industrial deafness/occupational diseases should ensure they seek the maximum possible financial compensation, because their hearing is never likely to return. It only takes a telephone call to start the ball rolling, as many people have discovered in recent years. There have been several high profile cases involving people who worked with industrial machinery such as pneumatic drills, jackhammers, chainsaws and grinding machines.
Making a claim against a former employer is usually straightforward with the help of a personal injury solicitor who specialises in this specific area of law. It’s even possible to make a claim on behalf of workers whose former employers are no longer in existence, so there is no need to worry on that count.
Industrial deafness compensation awards
A Doncaster man, who worked for a company that manufactured aluminium castings, was awarded £13,000 by the courts after a gradual deterioration in his levels of hearing. A group of former pottery workers from Stoke-on-Trent were awarded compensation recently as a result of damage caused by their noisy working environment. Some received up to £10,000.
At Stephensons, our specialist personal injury lawyers have a thorough knowledge of industrial illnesses and the law, and can act on behalf of anyone who has a case for industrial deafness. Give us a call today on 01616 966 229 and see if we can help you to get the financial justice that you deserve.
By personal injury solicitor, Kate Sweeney
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