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News Desk | News Story
25th March 2010
Apprentice plater compensated for hearing loss
Diagnosed with Occupational Deafness
A GMB member whose exposure to dangerous levels of noise in the workplace many years ago has left him reliant on two hearing aids at the age of 48 has been compensated following help from Thompsons Solicitors.
Neil Dawson from Hull has received £5,750 in damages after suffering occupational deafness.
Unknown to him his hearing became damaged in his first job as a 16-year-old apprentice for Richard Dunston Shipbuilders at the Haven in Hessle, Yorkshire. He trained to be a plater from 1977 to 1981 The yard was noisy but he was never given instruction or advice on the dangers it posed to his hearing.
Advised to make compensation claim
Years later he was advised to pursue compensation after being examined by an occupational health professional who told him his hearing had been permanently damaged.
He currently has to wear hearing aids in both ears but has been told his hearing will get worse in the future.
He contacted his union, the GMB, which instructed its lawyers Thompsons Solicitors.
Richard Dunston Shipbuilders no longer existed and Thompsons had to track down the firm’s former insurers which admitted liability and settled out of court.
Mr Dawson said: “I was only 16 when I started working at the shipbuilders and I had no idea that the noise I worked in was damaging my ears. We were never provided with ear defenders and now at only 48 I have to wear two hearing aids.”
Many workers have been negligently exposed to excessive levels of noise
Andy Worth from the GMB said: “Many of our members have been negligently exposed to excessive levels of noise in the workplace by their employers. Sadly even with the knowledge of the long term damage it can cause and the safety equipment available people are being exposed today. We wont let those who ignore health and safety laws or fail to provide the correct safety equipment to get away with it however long ago it happened”.
Carol Wild from Thompsons Solicitors added: “This was a particularly difficult claim as Mr Dawson’s former employers no longer existed and his exposure to excessive noise occurred so many years ago. However, we tracked down his employer’s insurers and they settled out of court. We’d urge anyone who believes their hearing may have suffered as a result of their job, whenever that may have been to contact their trade union for advice.”
Making a Personal Injury Compensation Claim for Industrial Deafness
If you or someone you know has developed occupational deafness or any other industrial illness, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury claim, including claims for occupational deafness. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim for occupational deafness in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your industrial deafness, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.
Contact us about your accident or injury
Call us for free on 08000 224 224 Call us from your mobile on 0330 123 123 0 (charged at local number and free when covered by inclusive minutes) Request a call back Text CLAIM to 82010 (standard network rates apply)
