New York Deafness Injury

Losing your ability to hear in an accident is devastating. It affects almost every facet of your life, including your ability to work, the manner in which you interact with your family and friends, and your ability to navigate daily activities. Sudden hearing loss can occur as the result of a head injury that occurs in a workplace accident or a car accident. An injury suffered in a construction accident could also cause you to lose your ability to hear. Unfortunately, accidents that cause a victim to suffer a loss of hearing are usually avoidable as they are almost always caused by someone's negligence. If you suffered partial or complete hearing loss as a result of the negligence of another person, contact a New York deafness lawyer who will review the details of your case and help you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

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 gunfire. Hearing loss can also occur over time from constant exposure to loud noise. This is called noise-induced hearing loss. For example, airport workers are regularly exposed to loud noise from airplanes. For that reason, workers in close proximity to airplanes wear headgear to protect their hearing from noise-induce hearing loss. A traumatic blow to the ear or to the head by an object, from falling, or in a car accident can also lead to hearing loss as it can cause damage to the cochlea, a ruptured eardrum, or damage the nerves in the cochlea or the brain.

Despite rules established by (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) 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 agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing, utilities, transportation, military, and musicians. 49% of miners have some degree of hearing loss by the age of 50. 58% of construction workers suffer hearing loss. 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 are concerned that your hearing loss was because your employer did not follow state or federal workplace safety rules, contact an experienced New York deafness injury lawyer.

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 the person whose negligence resulted in the victim's deafness would be held financially accountable. The victim may be able 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 the loss of the ability to earn in the future. Because the loss of hearing can be physically painful as well as com psychologically traumatic, the victim may also seek 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. Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in handling personal injury cases resulting from accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We serve clients in the following locations: Manhattan, Nassau County, Westchester County, Suffolk County, Staten Island, Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, and Queens.