Lucy Trevelyan LLB
NCTJ-qualified journalist
Tinnitus Compensation Claims
Does your claim qualify? Get free, no obligation advice!
Coping with a constant noise in your ears can dramatically affect your quality of life. The condition, known as tinnitus, often manifests itself as ringing, buzzing, whistling, or even roaring and can lead to distress, depression, insomnia and a myriad of other issues. If your tinnitus results from ongoing exposure to excessive noise, for example, in your workplace, or came on after an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to bring a tinnitus claim for compensation.
If your tinnitus results from someone else’s negligence, you could be eligible to claim compensation.
Tinnitus can occur for many reasons, but if someone else was responsible for your injury, claiming compensation will hold them accountable and ensure you receive financial support.
To determine your eligibility, call 0800 234 6438 or fill in the online enquiry form to access free advice from a legal specialist. They’ll assess your injuries and connect you with a no win no fee solicitor if you have a strong case.
Tinnitus is a condition that causes the sufferer to hear noises that don’t exist. Only the person experiencing tinnitus can hear it, and each sufferer’s experience is unique.
Tinnitus can be constant or come and go, and each episode may vary in sound and volume. Examples of the types of phantom sounds tinnitus sufferers commonly report hearing include the following:
According to Tinnitus UK, 1.6 million people suffer from severe tinnitus, but over seven million individuals will experience it at some point.
If you’re experiencing tinnitus, don’t suffer in silence. Whilst there is no known cure, your GP can signpost you to therapies, devices, and medication that may ease your symptoms.
There are numerous potential causes of tinnitus, but it usually occurs from a significant physical or mental change, such as being close to loud noises or dealing with the after-effects of an explosion. It’s not always a sign of negligence, but the most common tinnitus causes include:
All personal injury claims depend on one key factor: whether negligence caused your injury. If you can prove that, you can claim compensation for tinnitus. Calling 0800 234 6438 for free advice from a legal specialist will help you determine your eligibility and get the ball rolling on your claim.
Let’s explore some common forms of negligence that might lead to tinnitus. Whilst virtually any job that involves exposure to loud noise carries a threat of causing tinnitus, workers in some industries are unsurprisingly at greater risk than others.
They include the following:
One of the most common tinnitus claims is when the condition results from work-related exposure. As the Health and Safety Executive states, employers are responsible for providing their employees with PPE (personal protective equipment).
If they failed to offer protection and you developed tinnitus, you can make a claim. Similarly, if workplaces don’t soundproof the environment and you suffer tinnitus, you can file a noise-induced hearing loss claim.
Employers also have to provide their workforce with adequate rest breaks, and if there’s no quiet area to relax, you might be eligible for accident at work compensation (GOV.UK).
All road users must act responsibly and take steps to avoid accidents. If you suffer injuries due to another driver, you can make a road traffic accident claim and receive compensation.
Tinnitus is a common complication of head and neck injuries, but you will have to prove the other party was responsible for the incident.
Noise-induced hearing loss can occur when proper steps aren’t taken to protect you. If you were at a concert, nightclub, or pub and suffered tinnitus due to excessive noise, you could make a claim. However, these cases are complex to prove, as loud noises are expected in these settings.
Tinnitus doesn’t always result from a direct injury because psychological damage can also cause the conditions. If you were the victim of medical negligence or developed tinnitus due to PTSD, it’s possible to claim compensation. However, you’ll need to prove that someone else was at fault.
Tinnitus compensation claims are based on the law of negligence and various acts of Parliament. Generally speaking, you will be eligible to make a tinnitus compensation claim in the following circumstances:
All employers owe their employees a duty of care to keep them healthy and safe. This includes an obligation to protect you from excessive noise.
Your employer will have breached their duty of care if they failed to take the necessary steps to prevent you from developing tinnitus due to your job. The steps required will depend on the nature of your work but may include the following:
To succeed in your tinnitus compensation claim, you must demonstrate that your employer’s breach of duty directly caused your condition. If you had developed tinnitus regardless, your claim would have failed. Moreover, if you did not use the ear protection or follow your employer-provided training, you may face an uphill struggle convincing a Court that your employer is at fault. However, if you can show that your employer should bear some responsibility despite your own actions, your claim may be successful, although the Judge may reduce your compensation.
Your personal injury solicitors will review your case and advise on your eligibility to make a tinnitus compensation claim.
If you want to make a tinnitus claim, seeking free legal advice will help you understand your rights. Calling 0800 234 6438 or using the online form gives you access to a specialist adviser who will examine your case and determine your eligibility.
They’ll then connect you with a solicitor who works on a no win no fee basis. These solicitors don’t charge any upfront fees, making them safer options than traditional lawyers as no financial risks are associated with claiming.
Your solicitor will examine your case, including any available evidence, and assemble all the information. Proving negligence is integral to winning compensation, and receiving support from a specialist lawyer gives you the best chance of securing a financial award.
When assessing your case, the solicitor will determine how much compensation you should receive based on the injuries and degree of negligence. While this figure is a ballpark amount, you go into the process knowing the amount of compensation your solicitor is aiming for.
Most compensation claims go through the negligent party’s insurance provider, and your solicitor will argue your case. The insurance company will want to see evidence and might request you attend a medical assessment to verify your injuries.
Compensation claims rarely go to court, but your solicitor might advise against it if both parties can’t reach an agreement. Once your claim settles, the lawyer will deduct their fees from the compensation, and you’ll receive the rest of the money.
Your solicitor will gather evidence to support the tinnitus claim, but it’s also useful for you to collect information that proves your injuries. The following forms of proof are highly beneficial in cementing your case:
When making a tinnitus compensation claim, the money you receive depends on the extent of your injuries and how they impact your life. Personal injury claims have two categories: general and special damages.
General damages account for any pain and suffering caused by your tinnitus, while special damages factor in the ongoing expenses associated with the injury. Each case is different, but your solicitor will always try to secure the maximum compensation.
Using a compensation calculator can give you an idea of what you could receive, but speaking to an experienced solicitor will provide more clarity.
The following compensation amounts are based on other claims. Please be aware these are averages only, and you might not receive the same payment for your injuries.
Injury Type | Compensation Amount |
---|---|
Minor tinnitus with no hearing loss | Up to £7,010 |
Wrist injuries | Between £7,360 and £14,900 |
Moderate tinnitus – with or without moderate hearing loss | Between £14,900 and £29,710 |
Severe tinnitus and hearing loss | Between £29,410 and £45,540 |
Nobody deserves to suffer from tinnitus, but you can receive financial support for your injuries and look forward to the future. Claiming compensation allows you to hold the negligent party responsible and recover any financial losses.
If you’d like to discover your eligibility, please seek free legal advice today by calling 0800 234 6438 or filling out the online form. A legal adviser will assess your case and connect you with a personal injury solicitor.
As with most personal injury lawsuits, you have up to three years from your initial diagnosis to make a claim. Children who were injured before turning 18 can file for compensation up to three years after their 18th birthday.
We always recommend filing a claim quickly because the process can take a while and having plenty of time to settle means you can receive the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.
A no win fee agreement is the best way to protect yourself financially and ensure you receive dedicated support throughout the compensation process. Traditional solicitors charge legal fees, typically based on an hourly rate, which means you’ll pay them to argue your case.
Even if you win, the costs associated with these lawyers often mean you don’t get to enjoy the compensation. No win, no fee claims come with no financial risk, as you don’t pay a thing unless your solicitor secures compensation.
No, you won’t. There are laws in place to protect employees who make a tinnitus claim against their employer. Whether it’s mild or moderate tinnitus, you have every right to hold your employer responsible for any pain and suffering related to negligence in the workplace.
Nicola is a dual qualified journalist and non-practising solicitor. She is a legal journalist, editor and author with more than 20 years' experience writing about the law.
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