California Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Hearing Loss
Not every workplace injury happens all at once. Some workplace injuries are insidious, sneaking up on you over time. A broken bone or lost finger deserves compensation, to be sure, but so does cumulative damage caused by years on the job. Many workers suffer damage to their vision or hearing because of exposure to hazards while on the job. Hearing loss can result from a single accident or exposure to high-decibel noise over time.
If you suffer from hearing loss because of your job, you are entitled to workers’ compensation. The workers’ compensation attorney at Invictus Law, P.C. is ready to fight for your right to workers’ compensation benefits for your hearing damage. We’ll investigate the circumstances of your ailment, bolster your workers’ comp claims, and fight for your right to maximum compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
What Leads to Occupational Hearing Loss?
Occupational hearing loss affects millions of workers across the United States. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), around 22 million workers are exposed to hazardous noises every year, and 10 million workers are exposed to harmful ototoxicants (chemicals that can contribute to hearing loss). Workplace hearing loss can occur as a result of different factors, often working together to intensify the hazard.
At Invictus Law, we help workers suffering hearing loss as a result of any workplace hazard or hazards, including:
- Workplace accidents. Accidents in the workplace can cause damage to an employee’s hearing. Damage to the brain or spinal cord can cause neurological damage, which can impact a person’s hearing. Traumatic brain injury can result from falls, being struck by a falling object, or other accidents. Hearing loss can also result from explosions, gunshots, and other hazards.
- Workplace noise. Loud noise exposure can, over time, damage a person’s hearing. Constant loud noise from factory work, loud music, construction, and other sources can lead to conditions such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or muffled hearing. This type of damage can be permanent, especially with prolonged exposure continuing after the problems first manifest. When a worker is forced to work without proper earplugs or other noise-canceling equipment, the condition is likely to worsen until it becomes debilitating and permanent.
- Chemical exposure. Exposure to certain harmful chemicals can cause or increase the risk of hearing loss. NIOSH reports that many workers suffer hearing loss as a result of exposure to ototoxic chemicals including certain solvents (g., styrene, toluene), metals and compounds (e.g., mercury, lead), and asphyxiants (e.g., carbon monoxide). These can directly cause hearing loss or make a person more susceptible to hearing loss caused by other loud noises. Combining chemical exposure with exposure to the noises discussed above drastically increases the likelihood of occupational hearing loss.
Proper safety equipment, training, and protocols can mitigate the risks of occupational hearing loss. If your employer has failed to provide the proper safety gear and you’ve suffered as a result, or if your safety equipment was faulty, you could have additional claims for damages. Talk to a seasoned workplace hearing loss attorney at Invictus Law to discuss your options for recovery.
Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be difficult to detect, especially because it can grow over time. If you identify any symptoms of hearing loss and you have been exposed to hearing hazards at work, talk to a seasoned occupational hearing loss attorney at Invictus Law. Symptoms of hearing loss can include:
- Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
- Loud buzzing that seems to drown out other sounds
- You regularly ask people to repeat themselves even when they appear to be talking at normal volumes
- Other people’s voices and other noises sound muffled or distant
- You hear noises differently than you used to, even if some are louder while others are quieter
- Certain noises suddenly start to cause you headaches
Invictus Law Is Ready to Help With Your Hearing Loss Claim in Orange County and the Inland Empire
If you’ve suffered damage to your hearing as a result of your job in California and need help securing fast, thorough workers’ compensation benefits, contact an accomplished, dedicated Orange County workers’ compensation lawyer at Invictus Law by calling 949-287-5711 or reaching out to us online, serving Orange County and the Inland Empire with offices in Orange and Ontario.
