How much is my military noise-induced hearing loss claim worth?
At GA Solicitors we have experience in dealing with both current employees and veterans of the armed forces who have been exposed to excessive noise, without the appropriate protection. Military noise-induced hearing loss can have life-changing ramifications for victims both at home and at work.
Following their exposure to noise, military personnel may make a claim for compensation and, as specialist solicitors in this area of law, we are often asked: “How much is my military noise-induced hearing loss claim worth?”
As expected, the answer to this is not straightforward and depends on several factors which can include:
- The type of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) you are suffering from, for example, deafness, tinnitus or hyperacusis.
- The extent of the injury
- The impact the injury has had on your life
- Your age and the long-term prognosis of your injury
- Anticipated future treatment costs.
You can claim for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity resulting from your hearing loss injury. This is known as ‘general damages’ and the guidelines for compensation currently state the following:
Judicial College Guidelines 17th Edition
Chapter 5 (B) Deafness/Tinnitus –paragraphs (c) and (d):
(c) Total Loss of Hearing in One Ear – £38,210 to £55,570
(d) Partial Hearing Loss and/or Tinnitus
- Severe tinnitus and NIHL. – £36,260 to £55,570
- Moderate tinnitus and NIHL or moderate to severe tinnitus or NIHL alone – £18,180 to £36,260
- Mild tinnitus with some NIH – £15,370 to £18,180
- Mild tinnitus alone or mild NIHL alone – Around £14,300
- Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight NIHL – £8,890 to £15,370
- Slight NIHL without tinnitus or slight tinnitus without NIHL – Up to £8,560
Please note that the above figures are guidelines only and the awards for compensation can vary significantly on a case-by-case basis.
Other additional factors:
There are a number of additional factors which can also be taken into consideration when considering the value of a military noise-induced hearing loss claim.
If hearing aids are recommended, this can add a significant sum of money. This is especially so if both ears are affected and they will be required for many years. If you require hearing aids immediately, or in the future, the costs of purchasing the hearing aids, their maintenance costs, warranty costs and replacement costs would be included in your claim for compensation.
You may also be able to claim for loss of earnings for any time you have been unable to work or been placed on restricted duties due to your hearing loss injury.
The loss of earnings claim can increase substantially if:
- You end up being medically discharged due to your hearing condition
- You are restricted on the future work you can undertake
- Your career progression has been restricted due to a lack of promotion opportunities due to your noise-induced hearing loss
- You have been downgraded for an extended period of time.
With so many different aspects affecting the outcome and value of your claim, you need to be sure you have a legal specialist in this niche area pursuing your claim, collecting evidence and maximising your compensation.
Ready to make a claim?
If you feel you may have a claim for military noise-induced hearing loss and would like to find out more, then please get in touch with GA’s personal injury solicitors in Plymouth by calling 01752 203500 or by emailing enquiries@GAsolicitors.com.
Accredited by APIL and ranked in both Chambers UK and The Legal 500, you can be assured that you are in the very best hands.
Find out more about what is involved in a military noise-induced hearing loss claim by reading our recent article here.
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