If you work in a noisy occupation, such as in an industrial setting or on a construction site, you may be familiar with the need to wear ear protection on the job. Even with good protection, however, you could be left with hearing loss from exposure to high volumes or a workplace accident.
If your hearing has suffered because of your work, you should speak with a Van Nuys hearing loss lawyer. A workers’ compensation attorney from Glauber Berenson Vego could help you document your hearing loss and seek workers’ compensation benefits through your employer.
Hearing loss may come with age, but a person’s ability to use their sense of hearing could accelerate or diminish as a result of their workplace conditions. Whether caused over time or because of a sudden event, hearing loss could disrupt a person’s life and affect their ability to work in the future.
Work conditions are one cause of hearing loss, as some work environments feature high-decibel noise for long periods of time. For example, heavy machinery and assembly lines in factory settings could create background noise that could damage a worker’s hearing, even if they get used to it after some time. Even more mundane settings may feature sounds loud enough to cause hearing loss over months or even years.
Of course, a more intense, singular accident may cause hearing loss as well. An injury to the ear itself or the brain could lead to hearing loss if sensory input is unable to reach the brain’s processing centers properly. A blunt force trauma from a slip and fall or an accident involving heavy machinery could cause damaged hearing. A shockwave from an explosion could also affect a person’s hearing by damaging the ear or the brain, such as from demolition activities or an accident.
A loss of hearing could form the basis for a workers’ compensation claim, as a worker with hearing damage could incur medical costs and have a reduced ability to provide for themselves. A Van Nuys attorney familiar with hearing loss injuries could help you make a strong claim for benefits.
Workers’ compensation allows workers to receive benefits through their employer’s insurance rather than suing for compensation. However, workers need to show that they have been injured and that the injury is work-related. A worker may also need to prove that their hearing loss was caused by something at work rather than by natural decline or other causes. A lawyer could help you document your hearing loss with the aid of a doctor and an audiologist.
If you do not take steps to document your injury, an employer or their insurer might contest the claim and try to reduce your benefits. Workers’ compensation benefits can cover medical costs and replace future income, depending on the severity of an injury, so preserving and maximizing benefits should be your priority.
Working with a hearing loss lawyer in Van Nuys could ensure that you successfully prove your injury and comply with further documentation requirements in order to receive benefits. An attorney could also represent you in front of the California Division of Workers’ Compensation if your claim is denied.
If you have suffered hearing loss, rely on an expert workers’ compensation lawyer for help. Rather than attempting to manage the process on your own, your attorney could handle the paperwork and make a claim on your behalf.
At Glauber Berenson Vego, a Van Nuys hearing loss lawyer from our team could provide the knowledge and experience you need to secure your benefits. Contact us to set up a consultation for your hearing loss case.
