Hearing Loss Claims in Belfast and Northern Ireland
Paschal O’Hare Solicitors is an expert in hearing loss and industrial deafness claims, helping people in Belfast and across Northern Ireland. Our solicitors have successfully pursued industrial hearing loss claims for several decades, ensuring our clients get the compensation they deserve.
Our dedicated Hearing Loss Department makes us unique in Northern Ireland. This specialised team helps with industrial deafness claims, providing compassionate and tailored advice for you every step of the way. Whether you’re in Belfast or elsewhere in Northern Ireland, contact our hearing loss and industrial deafness solicitors today.
Hearing Loss and Industrial Deafness Solicitors in Northern Ireland
Have you noticed your hearing deteriorate or ringing in your ears (tinnitus) after working in a loud environment? You may be suffering from industrial deafness. It’s a serious condition that can significantly impact your quality of life.
If noise exceeds 80 decibels or higher, an employer should provide you with ear defence and make every possible effort to reduce excessive sounds. The Health and Safety Executive estimates that 2 million people are at risk of suffering from occupational deafness in the future due to noise levels at work.
Historically, many companies overlooked the importance of hearing protection for their employees, resulting in widespread hearing loss. This negligence underscores the role of corporate responsibility in safeguarding employee health. In Northern Ireland, employers are legally obligated to provide a safe working environment. When this duty is breached, affected individuals may be entitled to make a hearing loss claim. Even in cases where past health and safety regulations were insufficient or nonexistent, it’s still typically possible to claim compensation.
If you need to make a claim, your first step is to get in touch with Paschal O’Hare Personal Injury Solicitors. Our friendly solicitors working out of Belfast, Glengormley and Carrickfergus will take care of the hearing loss claims for you.
Proven Success in Hearing Loss Claims Across Northern Ireland
Our hearing loss solicitors have assisted numerous individuals affected by hearing loss, pursuing claims against companies such as:
- Standard Telephone (Nortel)
- Adria
- Desmond & Sons
- Harland and Wolff
- Gallaher Ltd
- Royal Mail
- BT
- Caterpillar (NI) Ltd.
- Vision
- Ministry of Defence
These are just a few examples among many. We have helped countless people across Northern Ireland and we’re confident we can help you as well. Don’t suffer as a result of your employer’s negligence. Reach out to our team today.
What is Industrial Deafness or Noise Induced Hearing Loss?
Industrial deafness, which can also be known as occupational deafness and noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), is caused by the noise in the workplace and can lead to hearing loss. It may be temporary or, in some circumstances, it may lead to permanent hearing loss.
Consistent exposure over a period of time may lead to hearing loss, which may be temporary or in some circumstances it may lead to permanent hearing loss. Hearing impairment can begin with tinnitus, often described as a ringing in the ears. Often, symptoms do not emerge until years after exposure.
We are industrial deafness experts. If you have any questions about making a noise induced hearing loss claim, contact our solicitors today. We’re ready to help.
Who Can Claim for Hearing Loss Compensation?
You may be entitled to claim for hearing loss if you worked in a noisy environment, such as a factory or construction site, and your employer did not provide adequate hearing protection. Typically, to qualify, your hearing loss must have been diagnosed within the last 3 years, even if the exposure occurred much earlier for you.
Claims are possible even if your hearing loss was only partially caused by your work environment, though compensation may be adjusted to reflect shared responsibility.
Don’t let industrial deafness silence your future. Our experienced hearing loss solicitors in Belfast, Glengormley, and Carrickfergus are here to help.
Jobs in Northern Ireland that could result in noise induced hearing loss
There are a multitude of noisy jobs in Northern Ireland that could lead to noise induced hearing loss. If your work environment has noise levels above 80 decibels, and your employer fails to provide you with adequate ear protection, you may suffer hearing loss. People at risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) include:
- Factory workers
- Construction workers
- Farm workers
- Airline workers
- Factory workers
- Shipyard workers
- Textile workers
- Engineers
- Mechanics
- Miners
- Rail workers
Please note, this isn’t a comprehensive list. If you suffer noise induced hearing loss and need to speak with a solicitor, contact us today or visit our offices in Belfast, Glengormley, and Carrickfergus.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is typically described as a ringing in the ears but it also can sound like hissing or buzzing. You might hear it in one or both ears. It can develop over time after being exposed to a loud work environment. In these circumstances, the tinnitus is classed as noise-induced hearing loss.
What are the symptoms of industrial deafness?
Have you worked in a loud environment and now find it difficult to understand when people are speaking to you? Perhaps you have trouble hearing high-pitched sounds? You may be suffering from industrial deafness.
Common symptoms of industrial deafness include:
- Reduction in hearing
- Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
The NHS provides a comprehensive list that you may find useful. If you are displaying these or any other symptoms, you should make sure to speak with a doctor as soon as possible.
How does the hearing loss claims process work in Northern Ireland?
Navigating a hearing loss claim can seem daunting, but our streamlined process makes it straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step overview to guide you through each stage, ensuring you receive the support and compensation you deserve.
- Contact Us: Start with a free, no-obligation consultation to assess your eligibility for compensation. We’ll explain the whole hearing loss claims process.
- Hearing Test: We’ll arrange a private hearing test with an audiologist, whose results help determine the value of your claim.
- Employment History: With your permission, we’ll request an employment schedule from HMRC to identify noisy work environments and potential defendants.
- Issue Proceedings: We send a letter of claim to the defendants and proceed to court or mediation if necessary.
- Settlement: We negotiate with the defendant or their representatives, ensuring you get the compensation you deserve.
Trust the firm who have the best-reviewed hearing loss solicitors in Northern Ireland. If you or someone you know suffers from hearing loss as a result of a loud work environment, contact our industrial deafness solicitors today. We are here to guide you through the claims process and ensure you receive the noise-induced hearing loss compensation you deserve.
How long will my industrial deafness claim take?
The length of time your industrial deafness claim takes is dependent on the complexity of the injury. Our expert industrial deafness solicitors would send you to be examined by a physician to determine the extent of your injuries. After this, our solicitors would be able to advise you on the length of time your claim would take.
How much hearing loss compensation could I receive?
The amount of hearing loss compensation you should receive is tied closely to the severity of the injury. Below are general compensation ranges for hearing loss and tinnitus from the 6th edition of the Green Book:
Hearing Loss
- Severe: £60,000 – £200,000
- Moderate: £20,000 – £60,000
- Mild/Occasional: Up to £20,000
Tinnitus
- Severe tinnitus – £40,000 – £90,000
- Moderate tinnitus – £20,000 – £40,000
- Mild tinnitus – up to £20,000
Please note, that these figures are general guidelines from the Green Book and should not be applied rigidly. The final compensation is determined by a judge based on the specific details of your case, and these guidelines are not mandatory. Please visit our compensation calculator for more information.
It is always best to speak with one of our solicitors or visit our offices in Belfast, Glengormley and Carrickfergus to find out if you have a hearing loss claim.
Our Dedicated Hearing Loss Department Can Help You
Our dedicated Hearing Loss Department will work hard to help with your noise-induced hearing loss claim anywhere you are across Northern Ireland. This specialised team focuses on delivering tailored service, ensuring each client receives the attention and expertise needed for their unique situation.
Our department has an impressive track record of success in dealing with claims for industrial deafness and noise-induced hearing loss. Recently, we have fought and won cases that date as far back as the 1960s, despite the perceived complexities of this type of injury.
From the initial consultation to the final resolution, our Hearing Loss Department will provide you with the expert service that you deserve, guiding you through the whole claims process. Rest assured, we will fight to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your noise-induced hearing loss.
Seymour Major
“We understand the difficulties associated with hearing loss. We are here to give you the support you need and ensure you get the hearing loss compensation that you deserve. ”
Case Studies
Ben’s Nortel Hearing Loss Claim Settles for £17,500 (Monkstown)
Ben worked on a telephone production line at Nortel in Monkstown for 10 years during the 1980s and 1990s. The production line operated continuously throughout
Helen’s Hearing Loss Claim Settles for £28,300 (Enniskillen)
Helen was employed by Kent Plastics in Enniskillen from 1976 to 1979, later working for STC in Enniskillen and Monkstown between 1980 and 1985, and
Jonathan’s Hearing Loss Claim Settles for £20,400 (Belfast)
Jonathan dedicated over a decade and a half to his role on the assembly line at a factory producing components for trucks. Throughout his tenure,
Hearing Loss Claims in Belfast & Northern Ireland FAQs
A hearing loss personal injury claim may be brought by anyone who has suffered hearing loss due to the carelessness or wrongdoing of another.
After receiving a diagnosis of tinnitus or noise-induced hearing loss, you have up to three years to make a hearing loss claim. Please note that you may be eligible for compensation even if the harm to your hearing was done many years ago.
Many people don’t appreciate that their hearing loss is caused by their employment. You should speak with one of our solicitors to explore this link and see whether you’re owed compensation.
Our expert solicitors are able to pursue historical claims where the employer or firm is no longer in operation. Through the resources available to us, we will be able to determine the relevant insurer. We have had decades of experience pursuing claims against these types of companies and we’re happy to walk you through the whole claims process.
You will need to present proof to support your hearing loss claim. This can will medical records. You can compile and present the essential evidence to support your claim with the assistance of one of our experienced solicitors.
It is important that you speak with a medical professional as soon as you start to see a decline in your hearing. The NHS takes hearing loss seriously and they’ll be able to accurately determine any damage you suffered. You should then speak with a personal injury solicitor to see the options available to you. At first instance, we will send you to have your hearing thoroughly tested by a medical professional.
No, you don’t need to use a hearing aid to make a hearing loss claim in Northern Ireland. Reach out to our solicitors if you have any questions. We will be able to guide you through the entire claims process.
