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Council worker compensated for hearing damage caused by driving
Diagnosed with Occupational Deafness
A GMB member who was exposed to dangerous levels of noise by a council has been compensated following help from Thompsons Solicitors.
David Carr, 65, from Rotherham has received £6,000 in damages after suffering from occupational deafness.
Mr Carr’s hearing became damaged while working for Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council during the 1960s and 1970s.
Exposed to excessive noise
He worked as a roadworker, JCB driver, HGV driver and mower for the council where he was exposed to excessive noise.
As a roadworker he was exposed to unsafe levels of noise from tools like jackhammers, drills and vibrator rollers for up to five hours a day.
He was exposed to engine noise for just as long when working as a driver on JCBs, HGVs and lawnmowers.
Mr Carr was diagnosed with deafness and tinnitus in both ears after a check up in the workplace in August 2009.
Thompsons Solicitors made claim for compensation
After his diagnosis he contacted his trade union, the GMB, which instructed Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation.
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council admitted liability and Thompsons secured a settlement out of court for £6,000.
Mr Carr, who is now retired said: “We were never warned about the dangers at the time. We just got on with our work and never imagined what damage it was doing to our hearing. All these years later I’m now left hard of hearing. It can leave you feeling isolated and I now wish we had been given the correct protection for our ears to have avoided this happening.”
Employees should be provided with protection against avoidable dangers
Paul McCarthy, GMB North West Regional Secretary said: “Industrial deafness is usually a condition associated with factory workers and those using pneumatic drills. As Mr Carr’s case shows employers who have staff driving heavy machinery must also be aware of their responsibility to provide suitable hearing protection.”
Jeremy Hague from Thompsons Solicitors added: “Often employees develop hearing problems as they get older and don’t associate it with the work they were doing decades earlier.
“Employers must ensure employees are provided with protection against avoidable dangers at work - including excessive noise levels.”
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
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