Brooklyn Deafness Injury Lawyer

While hearing loss can result from an illness, it can also result from a traumatic blow to head in a car accident or slip and fall accident. Exposure to a loud noise in the workplace, for example, can also lead to a permanent loss of hearing. Losing your ability to hear can have serious financial consequences including substantial medical bills and loss of the ability to work. If you suffered a partial or complete hearing loss at work or in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact an experienced Brooklyn deafness injury lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates. We will help ensure that you receive the maximum compensation to which you are entitled to cover your medical bills and lost wages.

Hearing loss can result from several different types of illnesses or injuries. A common cause is acoustic trauma. Acoustic trauma is damage to the inner ear caused by exposure to a high-decibel noise such as firecrackers or gun shots. The reason that airport workers who work outside near planes must wear ear protection is to avoid hearing loss. Similarly, because of loud machinery, many factory workers are required to wear ear protection.

A traumatic blow to the ear or to the head can also lead to hearing loss. Trauma to the ear or the ear canal can cause bleeding and infection which can result in temporary hearing loss. Such trauma can also damage the cochlea, causing permanent hearing loss. A head injury such as a traumatic blow to the head in a car accident or slip and fall accident can lead to ossicle dislocation, resulting in hearing loss. A head injury can also result in a ruptured eardrum or damage the nerves in the cochlea or the brain. For example, Linda, an avid water skier, fell in a waterskiing accident. She struck her head and lost consciousness. When she woke up she found that she was profoundly and permanently deaf as a result of the blow to her head.

Despite rules established by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to preserve hearing, hearing loss due to workplace conditions is one of the most prevalent workplace injuries. Occupations where workers are most susceptible to workplace injuries that result in hearing loss include agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing, utilities, transportation, military, and musicians. 49% of miners have some degree of hearing loss by the age of 50. 58% of construction workers suffer hearing loss. OSHA requires that employees wear protective hearing equipment if the noise level exceeds 85 decibels. If an employer fails to follow OSHA mandates and a worker is injured as a result, then the employer is negligent and may be liable to the injured worker. If you believe your employer is not complying with OSHA requirements, contact an experienced Brooklyn deafness injury lawyer

When a victim’s injury results in hearing loss, they will likely incur significant medical bills related to treatment and assistive technology. Through a personal injury lawsuit filed by an experienced deafness injury attorney in Brooklyn the person whose negligence resulted in the victim's deafness would be held financially accountable. The victim may be able to recover past medical expenses as well as future expenses. A personal injury lawsuit may also result in the victim receiving compensation for the wages he or she lost, as well as for loss of future earning capacity. Becoming deaf is a physically, emotionally and psychologically painful experience. Therefore, the victim may also sue for pain and suffering.

Note that if the hearing loss was due to workplace conditions or a workplace accident, your injury may be covered by workers compensation. There are strict rules and timelines related to filing workers compensation claims in New York that you should discuss with an experienced deafness injury attorney serving Brooklyn.

If you or a loved one suffered a loss of hearing due to an accident or workplace conditions, contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent injured victims in the following locations: Brooklyn, Bronx, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County, and Westchester County.