Manhattan Deafness Injury Lawyer

Professions such as construction work or aviation carry a higher risk of a hearing injury than others. However, anyone can suffer a loss of hearing from an accident. While deafness can be caused by long-term exposure to loud sounds, in other cases it results from a single exposure to an extremely loud noise. Hearing loss can also arise from an accident where there is a traumatic blow to the head. Hearing loss, whether it is complete deafness or partial, is life-altering. There will also be significant financial consequences. If you have suffered diminished hearing due to the negligence of another person, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced Manhattan deafness injury lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss your case, as you may be entitled to compensation for the losses that you suffered.

Hearing loss can result from several different types of illnesses or injuries. A common cause is acoustic trauma. Acoustic trauma is permanent damage to the cochlea as a result of exposure to a high-intensity sound such as an explosion, firecracker, or gunshot. Noise-induced hearing loss can also occur over time from constant exposure to loud noise. For example, working at an airport or working in a factory around loud machinery may lead to noise-induced hearing loss. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) exposure to 85 decibels of noise for more than eight hours per day can result in permanent hearing loss.

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.

Despite rules established by 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 construction, aviation, factory, and motorsport racing. 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 hearing loss was due to workplace conditions, contact an experienced Manhattan deafness injury lawyer to discuss your case.

Symptoms of damage to the ear include:

• Muffled hearing
• Ringing, roaring, hissing, or buzzing in the ear
• Ear pain, itching, or irritation
• Pus or fluid leaking from the ear
• Vertigo

In some cases hearing loss is temporary, returning on its own or with surgery. In many cases where the damage to the ear is severe the hearing loss is permanent. If the hearing loss is permanent, there are devices that may improve the hearing and assist with communication such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices.

An injured victim who loses the ability to hear will incur significant medical expenses from medical treatment and assistive technology. Through a personal injury lawsuit filed by an experienced deafness injury attorney in Manhattan, the person whose negligence resulted in the victim's deafness would be held financially accountable. The victim may be entitled 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 to recover compensation for pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident that left you with a hearing loss, you should contact an experienced attorney who understands the legal issues associated with personal injury cases. Contact an experienced deafness injury attorney serving Manhattan at Stephen Bilkis & Associates at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We serve those injured in accidents in the following locations: Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Nassau County, New York City, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County, and Westchester County.