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Exposure to noise on the job is one of the most common occupational hazards in the United States. As the third most common chronic condition among adults, hearing loss affects roughly 12 percent of all U.S. workers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 22 million workers are exposed to sound levels that could result in hearing loss.
Who is At-Risk of Occupational Hearing Loss?
There are many different occupations that present a risk of developing hearing loss due to noise exposure. Some of the most common are:
- Construction workers
- Industrial workers
- Transportation workers
- Musicians
- Bar/Club workers
What Causes Occupational Hearing Loss?
While there are many potential causes of hearing loss, one of the most common is occupational exposure to loud noise. Over time, exposure to loud noise can damage the delicate hair cells in the inner ear, leading to injuries like tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or permanent hearing loss altogether.
If you suspect that your hearing loss may be related to your job, you must speak with your doctor or an audiologist as soon as possible. With prompt treatment, you can help minimize the impact of hearing loss on your life.
New York Law on Occupational Hearing Loss Is Very Friendly to Workers
Some of us have hearing loss from causes outside of work, such as medical conditions, medications, or even noise exposure in our personal lives. In New York, even if you have hearing loss from these outside causes, you can still recover substantial monetary awards from a hearing loss workers’ compensation claim. In fact, if even a tiny percentage of your overall hearing loss is found to be work-related, you get compensated for all of your hearing loss, no matter where it all comes from.
There Are Important Deadlines That You Cannot Afford to Miss if You Have Occupational Hearing Loss
Under New York law, you have two years and ninety days from the date on which you stop working around loud noises or retire from the company in which you did to file a hearing loss claim that is guaranteed to be timely. If you wait longer than that, it still may be possible to get you compensated, but it becomes far more difficult, and the odds become far less in your favor. It is important to consult an experienced legal professional as soon as you stop working around loud noises in order to find out if you have a case and make sure you have not waited too long.
How Schotter Millican, LLP Can Help
If you are suffering from some form of hearing loss due to occupational noise exposure, Schotter Millican, LLP can help. We have represented many clients who have suffered from this type of hearing loss, and we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
If you were injured due to occupational noise exposure, call us today at (718) 550-0610 or fill out our form online for a free consultation.