Finding yourself suddenly unable to hear is frightening. The loss of the ability to hear impacts your ability to interact with co-workers, family members, and friends. It makes it more challenging to accomplish routine daily activities. Sudden hearing loss can occur as the result of a work-related accident, an auto accident or a construction accident. For example, a severe head injury could cause you partial or complete loss of the ability to hear. Similarly, a loud noise that occurs in a construction accident could also cause deafness. If you lost your hearing as a result of the negligence of another person, contact an experienced New York hearing loss lawyer at the Stephen Bilkis & Associates who will review the details of your case and help you receive the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.
Causes of Hearing LossDeafness can result from an injury to the ear or the head. For example, acoustic trauma can cause permanent damage to the cochlea. The cochlea is a part of the ear that contains nerves that are essential for hearing. Acoustic trauma can occur when someone is exposed to a single high-intensity sound such as an explosion or gunshot. It can also occur over time from consistent exposure to high-intensity sounds such as loud factory machinery, farm equipment, or loud music. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) exposure to 85 decibels of noise for more than eight hours per day can lead to deafness. Despite OSHA regulations designed to reduce the incidence of hearing loss, hearing loss due to workplace conditions is one of the most common workplace injuries. If you feel your employer is not following OSHA rules, share your concerns with an experienced New York hearing loss lawyer.
A traumatic blow to the ear or to the head is another cause of deafness. Trauma to the ear or the ear canal can cause bleeding and infection which can damage the cochlea, leading to temporary or permanent hearing loss. A traumatic blow to the head in a car accident or slip and fall accident can lead to ossicle dislocation, nerve damage, or a ruptured eardrum, resulting in hearing loss.
Symptoms of damage to the ear include:
Hearing loss is experienced differently depending on the circumstances. It can slowly worsen over a period of time, or it can happened suddenly. People that experience hearing loss slowly may take time to realize they actually have a problem. Acoustic trauma in the workplace is a common cause of hearing loss. This causes damage to the inner ear that can be caused from either long exposure to certain noises or from one loud sound. Warning signs that you may have experienced hearing loss include: everything sounding muffled, ringing or roaring in the ears, problems hearing high pitched noises, and problems understanding speech.
Pursuing DamagesIf an accident causes you to lose your ability to hear, you will incur significant medical expenses from medical treatment and assistive technology. Even if the hearing loss is partial your quality of life will be diminished. With the help of an experienced hearing loss injury attorney in New York, you can seek compensation from those who caused your injuries. You can file a claim to recover compensation to pay for your medical expenses. A personal injury lawsuit may also result in you receiving compensation for the wages you lost, as well as for loss of future earning capacity. Suffering a hearing loss is a physically, emotionally and psychologically painful experience. Therefore, you may also sue for pain and suffering.
Contact Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesIf you or a loved one suffered hearing loss because of the negligence of someone else, you may be entitled to compensation. Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in handling personal injury cases stemming from car accidents, workplace accidents, slip and fall accidents, and construction accidents. Contact an experienced hearing loss injury attorney serving New York at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent injured victims in the following locations: Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Nassau County, Queens, New York City, Staten Island, Suffolk County, and Westchester County.