October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, a time to remind both employers and employees about the importance of protecting one of our most valuable senses. Over time, being around hazardous noise can make you lose your hearing — and once it’s gone, you can’t get it back. Hearing loss is one of the most common ailments among workers in the United States. Workers in noisy industries are especially at risk for hearing loss. Construction sites, manufacturing centers, and even sports arenas all produce sounds that can damage the ear canal and cause hearing loss. Let’s take a look at:
Occupational Hearing Loss StatisticsWhen most people think of occupational injuries, they likely imagine a worker who fell from a ladder and injured his back, or perhaps an employee who lost a finger or hand on a machine or piece of equipment. While these kinds of injuries happen more than they should on the job, hearing loss is a real risk for employees who work in noisy environments or work with certain chemicals. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 14,500 cases of work-related hearing loss in 2019. Occupational hearing loss (OHL) is caused by exposure to hazardous noise (sounds 85 decibels or higher) or ototoxic chemicals such as solvents. Each year, more than 22 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise, 10 million are exposed to solvents, and an unknown number of workers are exposed to other ototoxicants. Other interesting occupational hearing loss statistics include:
If you’ve experienced a loss of hearing or hearing impairment due to an exposure to hazardous noise or an oxotoxic chemical, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. With respect to on-the-job hearing loss in Pennsylvania, workers’ comp can help you with your medical expenses incurred from your injury, and a worker who loses part or all of their hearing as a direct result of their work duties can secure specific loss benefits through the workers’ comp system. Common Jobs with Hearing Loss RiskWhat are America’s loudest jobs? While some jobs, such as construction workers, may seem obvious, other careers may surprise you. Do you know if your job puts you at risk? Here are some common jobs where decibel levels can reach a hazardous level and can be damaging to your hearing:
If you work in a high-risk industry and feel your noise exposure caused hearing loss, reach out to an experienced workers’ compensation law firm to discuss your workers’ compensation claim. Because hearing loss is permanent, workers’ comp benefits can help you with the expenses of hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other devices designed to improve your hearing. Hearing Loss Prevention for EmployersOccupational hearing loss can be reduced, or often eliminated, through occupational hearing loss prevention programs in the workplace. Hearing loss prevention programs are required and are regulated by OSHA and other government agencies. The CDC recommends addressing noise in the workplace through five areas:
Hearing loss prevention programs benefit both employers and employees. If you work in an environment where your employer has not provided proper hearing protection and you have suffered hearing loss, reach out to the best and most-experienced workers’ comp attorney in Lancaster, PA to learn more about your rights. Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim for Hearing LossUnlike some injuries on the job, such as a broken bone or a laceration, hearing loss can be gradual and may go unnoticed for some time. Some workers may not even know they have hearing loss until they start missing out on conversations or can’t hear the television or radio. If you’ve discovered your hearing isn’t like it used to be, and feel it is caused by your work environment, file a workers’ comp claim as soon as possible. Follow these steps to start the process:
To get help pursuing a hearing loss claim through Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system, you should have top-notch legal representation by your side. The best workers’ comp attorneys in Lancaster, PA can handle all of the communication with the workers’ compensation insurance company, make sure that you receive all of the wage loss and medical benefits to which you are entitled, and deliver maximum compensation through a specific loss settlement of your hearing loss claim. Filing a claim can be time-consuming, especially if your claim is denied. Having a workers’ compensation lawyer on your side can help you understand your rights and the benefits you are entitled to. If you suffered a hearing loss on the job, contact a workers’ comp attorney at Georgelis Injury Law Firm to help you with your claim. Georgelis Injury Law’s attorneys have been voted the best in Lancaster County, as part of Lancaster County Magazine’s Annual “Best of Lancaster” Survey, for 9 years running. They have recovered over $70 million for those injured on the job and victims of motor vehicle and other accidents. Georgelis Law has over 170 Google reviews, and every single one of them is 5-stars. We will evaluate your case, free of charge, and we do not take a fee unless we win money for you! Just dial 1-800-HURT-NOW. source https://www.georgelislaw.com/workers-compensation-and-hearing-loss/ Via https://georgelislaw.tumblr.com/post/665152154978467840
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About MeHey my name is Marian A. Timm. I am 34 years old and living in USA. My requirement of a professional law firm grew over time for legal solutions of my problems and that is why I spend most of my time searching the web. |