BT Amnesty To End At The Start Of 2013

Noise-related hearing loss experts at Irwin Mitchell have called for any BT workers who have suffered problems after working with oscillating and amplifying equipment to come forward over the problems before it is too late.

BT has confirmed that, as of January 2013, it is withdrawing the limitation amnesty in place in relation to claims made by engineers who suffered hearing damage following exposure to excessive loud noise through the use of the so-called ‘green set’ and ‘yellow set’ equipment.

The amnesty has been in place since 2010, when the telecommunications firm admitted liability and  breach of duty in relation to the equipment. It has replaced the equipment with adapted models.

Leading law firm Irwin Mitchell is currently representing approximately 145 workers in Leeds, 108 in Newcastle and 250 in Sheffield who may have been injured as a result of working with BT Oscillators.

Mark Allen, an associate director at Irwin Mitchell, specialises in cases related to industrial illness and noise-related hearing loss, he said the decision on the removal of the amnesty is likely to impact on many people.

He outlined: “The removal of the amnesty would mean that BT would reserve the right to raise limitation and could make it significantly more difficult for people to launch battles for justice following the start of next year.

“In addition, the move could also increase the length of time it takes for cases to be concluded, which in turn could leave many people facing more costs.

“Through our work on behalf of past and present BT employees affected by this issue, as well as many other workers who suffer from noise-related hearing loss, we have seen the terrible impact that such problems can have on so many lives.

“We would urge anyone who believes they may be affected by these problems to seek expert legal advice as soon as possible, with a view to seeing if they are eligible to get financial support to fund the care and support they need due to their hearing problems.”