Nassau County Deafness Injury

Injuries to the ear can be physically painful and life-changing. It is not uncommon for people to have hearing issues as they age. Unfortunately, it is also not uncommon for victims to suffer hearing loss in accidents caused by negligence. A blow to the head or a loud sound could mean that the victim would suffer traumatic hearing loss. When considering the types of injuries suffered in car accidents, construction accidents, and even slip and fall accidents, we generally think of broken bones, back injuries and neck injuries. Even when we do think about head injuries we tend to think about concussions and contusions. However, hearing loss is often caused by a blow to the head that can occur in an auto accident. If you believe your hearing loss was due to another person's negligent act, it is critical that you immediately contact a personal injury lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation for you medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other losses you suffered.

Causes of deafness

Traumatic deafness is can be caused by a severe blow to the head or as a result to a high-intensity sound.

• Blow to the head. Trauma to the head can cause damage to the ear and can change the auditory path to the brain. For example, in a car accident the victim's head could be thrown against the dashboard, windshield, or on to the pavement. In a fall, the victim's head may be slammed against the hard pavement. Similarly, if an act of violence, a perpetrator could punch the victim in the head or throw the victim to the ground. In any of the cases the victim's eardrum can rupture, the bones in the middle can become dislocated, and tissues in the inner ear can become damaged.
• Loud sound. Another cause of traumatic deafness is a loud sound. For example, an explosion at a construction site, in a manufacturing plant, or in a coal mine could lead to hearing loss. Loud sounds that lead to hearing loss are not always explosions. Sometimes such loud sounds are normal. For example, airport workers who spend time outside where airplanes arrive and depart are subjected to high decibel sounds throughout the day. If they do not wear protective gear as required by OSHA, over time they are likely to suffering hearing loss.
• Airbags. Surprisingly, a common cause of hearing loss and other types of injuries in car accidents is airbag deployment. When airbags deploy, there is a loud sound—around 160 decibels. This loud sound in close proximity to the ear can lead to permanent hearings as well as other types of hearing disorders. Whether or not airbag will cause hearing loss depends on a number of factors including the type of airbag and its location.

Symptoms of damage to the ear

While in some cases a victim will suffer profound hearing loss immediately after the accident, it is also common that the victim's hearing loss will occur over a period of time. There are signs that you have damage to your ear which may lead to a temporary or permanent loss of hearing including:

• Fluid leaking from the ear
• Vertigo or poor balance
• Pain in the ear
• Itching or irritation in the ear
• Difficulty figuring out where sounds are coming from
• Muffled hearing
• Ringing or buzzing sound in the ear
• Poor coordination
• Nausea

Your right to compensation

Under New York law, if you were injured due to the negligence or intentional act of another person, you have the right to demand compensation for the losses you suffered. Compensable losses include:

• Medical expenses, including hospital bills, treatment by specialists, medical devices such as hearing aids, and medication.
• Lost wages, lost compensation and loss of future earning potential
• Pain and suffering

If your injury occurred in the workplace you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits. Workers' compensation benefits include medical care, lost wages, and benefits for long-term or permanent disability.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates can help

If you are suffering from hearing loss and believe that you believe was caused by another person's negligence or intentional act the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates can help you recover compensation from the party at fault. Our staff is experienced in representing victims suffering from catastrophic injuries from car accidents, industrial accidents, construction accidents and falls. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free case evaluation with no obligation. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.

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