Serving in the armed forces can mean you are exposed to noises so loud they can cause irreparable damage. This kind of hearing loss can be incredibly distressing, but those affected can take some comfort in knowing that they may be eligible for compensation via a military hearing loss claim.
Military hearing loss is sadly quite common, especially for those who have been serving on the front line. In fact, the Royal British Legion estimates that a startling 300,000 veterans are living with hearing loss in the UK – with many more suffering military personnel not accounted for by these numbers.
Whether you are actively serving, or have now left the military, you can still make a claim for military deafness, hearing loss, tinnitus or any other hearing problems which developed directly because of your duties. This claim can cover any financial loss you have suffered as a result of the injury, as well as compensation for the broader implications of military hearing loss.
What causes military hearing loss?
It is worth noting that your military hearing loss may have occurred slowly over time. In other cases, it may have been immediate and caused by direct trauma. This could have occurred during a training exercise or while on duty at home or abroad and include:
- Gun and artillery fire
- Bomb detonations
- Mortars
- Vehicle noise
- Pyrotechnics
- Aircraft noise
What kind of protection should be offered to military personnel?
As with any other employer, the Ministry of Defence is required by law to adhere to the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and Noise at Work Regulations 1989. All military personnel should be supplied with and instructed on how to use proper protective equipment, as well as given the necessary training to avoid injury and military hearing loss. If you were not adequately protected then this legislation will likely have been breached and you may be eligible for military hearing loss compensation.
Who can make a military hearing loss claim?
At GA Solicitors, our hearing loss and industrial disease specialists are experienced in dealing with military hearing loss claims and can work with, and make claims for, those who have served in:
- The British Army
- The Royal Air Force
- The Royal Marines
- The Royal Navy
- Special Forces
- The Reserves
If you fit into one of these groups or believe you have grounds to make a military deafness claim, our Plymouth-based solicitors can help you understand whether you are eligible and the amount of compensation you could be entitled to.
How to tell if you are suffering from hearing loss
If you lost your hearing quickly after a trauma, then you would have been aware of your loss quite quickly. For others, this type of hearing loss happens slowly and over time after prolonged exposure.
Symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss can include:
- Mishearing words when having a conversation
- Being unable to hear or follow conversations where there is background noise
- Having to turn the television up more than others find necessary or needing subtitles
- Mishearing or missing out on things told to you in passing
- Suffering a ringing or buzzing in the ears which is known as tinnitus
- Finding certain noises seem to cause you pain in your ears which may be a sign of hypersensitivity
No win, no fee support
Whether you’re a veteran or still serving, our experienced industrial disease and personal injury team can advise you on whether you have sufficient evidence for a civil military hearing loss claim for compensation. If you have a strong case, then GA Solicitors can represent you on a no-win, no-fee basis, limiting your financial risk.
AFCS and War Pension Claims
You may also be able to make a military hearing loss claim as per the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) or as a War Pension claim. It is possible to bring a civil claim at the same time as one of these alternative processes and, if you wish, we can help with this, or alternatively you can get additional assistance from The Royal British Legion and Veterans Agency.
Through the AFCS you may be eligible to claim a lump sum payment or a monthly Guaranteed Income Payment (GIF) – both of which are tax-free.
If you would like to find out more about how our specialist military hearing loss team can help you secure compensation, then call 01752 203500 or use our online contact form. The team is highly experienced and is ranked in celebrated legal directories, The Legal 500 and Chambers UK so you can be assured you are in the best possible hands.
You can also contact us by emailing enquiries@GAsolicitors.com.
GA Solicitors has both and pledged and signed the Armed Forces Covenant and further information on how we can support past and present members of the military are detailed on our Armed Forces web page.
