What Compensation Can You Seek for Permanent Hearing Loss?
Have you recently suffered an injury or life event that led to permanent hearing loss? At Stiberth, Scarlati & Boudreau, LLC, we’re deeply committed to supporting individuals who have suffered life-altering injuries, such as permanent hearing loss.
Based in Chicago, Illinois, and serving Cook County and Collar County, our personal injury attorneys in Chicago bring over ten decades of combined experience to every case. We understand the immense challenges hearing loss can impose on your daily life, career, and personal relationships.
When you work with us, you’ll receive compassionate, dedicated representation tailored to your specific needs. Let us guide you through your legal options to help you secure the compensation you deserve. Hearing loss can result from a variety of incidents, including workplace accidents, medical negligence, or exposure to excessive noise.
No matter the cause, our firm’s primary goal is to advocate for your rights and hold responsible parties accountable. Let’s explore what compensation you can seek for permanent hearing loss and how our personal injury attorneys in Chicago can assist in your recovery journey.
Types of Damages Available For Hearing Loss
Permanent hearing loss often affects more than just your ability to hear—it impacts every facet of your life. Compensation for such injuries generally falls into the following categories:
Medical Expenses
This includes costs for diagnosing your hearing loss, ongoing treatments, and necessary assistive devices like hearing aids or cochlear implants. Future medical care expenses, such as additional surgeries or therapy, may also be covered.
Lost Income
If your hearing loss prevents you from performing your job, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. For individuals unable to return to work, future lost earning capacity may also be considered.
Pain and Suffering
The emotional toll of losing your hearing can be profound. Compensation for pain and suffering accounts for the mental anguish, stress, and reduced quality of life associated with permanent hearing loss.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Hearing loss can prevent you from enjoying activities you once loved, such as listening to music, attending social events, or communicating effectively with loved ones. Compensation may address these losses.
Punitive Damages
In cases involving gross negligence or intentional harm, punitive damages may be awarded to penalize the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future.
Common Causes of Permanent Hearing Loss
Understanding the cause of your hearing loss is essential for building a strong legal case. Some common causes include:
Workplace accidents: Prolonged exposure to loud machinery or sudden loud noises in industries such as construction or manufacturing can lead to hearing loss. Employers are required to provide protective equipment and safe working conditions.
Car accidents: Traumatic brain injuries or airbag deployment during collisions can damage the auditory system, resulting in hearing loss.
Medical malpractice: Errors during surgeries, improper prescriptions, or failure to diagnose an infection in time can lead to permanent hearing damage.
Defective products: Malfunctioning headphones, hearing aids, or other audio devices that emit excessive noise can cause hearing loss. Manufacturers can be held liable for producing unsafe products.
Loud events or environments: Exposure to excessive noise levels at concerts, sporting events, or other public venues can damage your hearing. Event organizers may be responsible if proper precautions were not taken.
Proving Liability in Hearing Loss Cases
To successfully pursue compensation for permanent hearing loss, we must prove that another party’s negligence caused your injury. Key elements include:
Establishing duty of care: We’ll demonstrate that the at-fault party had a responsibility to secure your safety, whether it was an employer, medical professional, or product manufacturer.
Breach of duty: We’ll gather evidence to show that this responsibility was not upheld, such as failing to provide protective equipment or adhering to safety standards.
Causation: Medical records, expert testimony, and other documentation will help establish that the breach of duty directly caused your hearing loss.
Damages: We’ll compile detailed evidence of your medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering to illustrate the extent of your losses.
The Impact of Hearing Loss on Personal Relationships
While proving liability and traversing the types of damage can be overwhelming for a person, permanent hearing loss doesn’t just affect the individual; it also profoundly impacts their relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.
Communication is the cornerstone of human interaction, and when hearing loss disrupts this ability, it can lead to feelings of isolation and frustration.
Strained Family Dynamics
Miscommunication or repeated difficulties in understanding can create tension within families. Loved ones may unintentionally grow impatient, or the individual with hearing loss may withdraw from conversations altogether.
Challenges in Social Settings
Social gatherings can become overwhelming for those with hearing loss, especially in noisy environments. This often leads to avoidance of social events, furthering a sense of loneliness.
Workplace Interactions
Hearing loss can hinder effective communication with coworkers or supervisors, affecting team collaboration and professional relationships. This may lead to misunderstandings, reduced productivity, or even discrimination in the workplace.
Emotional Toll on Both Parties
Both the individual experiencing hearing loss and their loved ones often feel emotional distress. Frustration, guilt, or helplessness can arise when trying to adapt to this new reality.
Addressing these challenges often requires patience, understanding, and proactive measures, such as learning sign language, using assistive communication devices, or attending therapy. Compensation for hearing loss cases can help alleviate some of these burdens by covering costs for necessary tools and counseling services. But what can you do if you experience hearing loss?
Steps to Take if You Experience Hearing Loss
If you suspect hearing loss due to someone else’s negligence, taking the following steps can strengthen your case:
Seek medical attention immediately: Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical for both your health and your legal case. Check that all medical records are preserved.
Report the incident: Notify your employer, event organizer, or other relevant party about the injury. Request written documentation of your report.
Collect evidence: Take photographs, gather witness statements, and preserve any defective products or equipment involved in your injury.
Consult personal injury attorneys in Chicago: An experienced lawyer can evaluate your case, advise you on your legal options, and begin the process of pursuing compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hearing Loss Claims
It’s not abnormal to have a lot of questions while you tackle the process of receiving compensation for your hearing loss. Here are some common inquiries we hear clients ask.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the injury, according to the National Legal Research Group, Inc. However, exceptions may apply, so it’s important to consult personal injury attorneys in Chicago promptly.
Can I File a Claim if the Hearing Loss Developed Gradually?
Yes, gradual hearing loss from prolonged exposure to harmful conditions may still qualify for compensation. A lawyer can help determine liability.
What if My Employer Denies Responsibility?
Employers often dispute liability in workplace injury cases. Our personal injury attorneys in Chicago are skilled in negotiating with insurance companies and pursuing litigation when necessary.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
Many personal injury cases settle out of court. However, we’re always prepared to advocate for you in court if a fair settlement can’t be reached.
Contact Us Today
If you’ve experienced permanent hearing loss due to negligence, Stiberth, Scarlati & Boudreau, LLC, is here to help. We serve clients throughout Chicago, Illinois, Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, Kane County, McHenry County, and Will County. Let us provide the guidance and support you need to secure fair compensation. Reach out to Stiberth, Scarlati & Boudreau, LLC today to schedule your consultation with our personal injury attorneys in Chicago.