What to do about hearing loss caused by your job? Many job sites are noisy. Some employers provide ear protection while many do not. The reality is that hearing loss does occur and there are ways to protect yourself before as well as following a hearing loss.
First, if your workplace is loud, wear ear protection.
Second, if you have any indication that you are experiencing hearing loss because of your work exposure take steps on your own, if permissible, to get ear protection as well as talk to your employer about providing protection. As is always the case, proactive prevention is always the best protection.
Third, if you have a permanent loss of hearing, contact an experienced worker’s compensation lawyer to discuss your rights.
In Wisconsin, there are two types of hearing losses that are recoverable in worker’s compensation. The first is a traumatic hearing loss which is a hearing loss that is caused by an accident or sudden event or trauma. A blow to the ear, a head injury, etc., can cause hearing loss and in those cases you are entitled to benefits.
The other is a more common event which is occupational deafness. This occurs when an employee suffers permanent partial or total hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to noise on the job site. Whether inside or out many workers are exposed to significant noise levels that, over time, can cause hearing loss.
To prove you have a hearing loss you need to immediately have your hearing tested. Hopefully, you had a previous audiogram (hearing test) that can be compared to a new audiogram to show the level of loss. If you have either experienced the hearing loss due to traumatic injury or over the course of time due to the exposure of significant noise levels you should immediately schedule a hearing test. Once you have the results you should then schedule an appointment with an experienced worker’s compensation attorney to discuss the steps needed to pursue compensation.
If you, a family member or a friend have been injured on the job whether hearing loss or other injuries please contact us for a free, no cost, no obligation consultation. Our services are paid for on a contingency fee basis which means that there there is never a fee unless and until there is a recovery. In the Madison area call (608) 824-8540, in the Baraboo area (608) 356-3961 or statewide call (866) 455-2993. Also, check out our website at https://khtlawyers.com for more information. At Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC, we help injured workers receive the compensation they are entitled because we listen, we care and we get results!
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