Irwin Mitchell Settlement For Warrington Man Who Suffered Deterioration Of Hearing

Workplace injury experts at law firm Irwin Mitchell are warning of the dangers posed by working in noisy environments after securing justice for a factory worker left partially deaf when his employers failed to provide him with appropriate hearing protection.

Raymond Riley, 76, now experiences poor hearing and suffers from mild tinnitus as a result of being exposed to loud noise at Ryland Bros Limited/Rylands-Whitecross Limited’s factory, where he worked as an electrician’s mate between 1960 and 1999. The noise from the factory has affected him so much that medical evidence shows he needs hearing aids 10 years earlier than he would previously be expected to.

Expert injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell secured Raymond a settlement of £2,679.60 from the company as a result of its failure to provide him with ear protection for the excessive noise until the late 1980s. The business has since become part of Tinsley Wire Warrington Limited.

Sarah Tagg, a hearing loss expert at law firm Irwin Mitchell, said: “Raymond was not advised about the dangers of noise-induced hearing loss or provided with any protective equipment until the late 1980s – almost 20 years after beginning work in the extremely noisy factory.

“This case highlights the importance of health and safety policies and employers have a duty of care to their staff which includes ensuring full protective equipment is provided. The damage done by such loud industrial noise is irreversible, and means that Raymond and others who were not given adequate protection are now being forced to suffer for the rest of their lives.

“Raymond will now be expected to require a hearing aid ten years earlier than on average for somebody of his age, and as he is in this position through no fault of his own it is only fair that he is provided with the necessary funds to help pay for the equipment he will require to combat the deterioration of his hearing.”

Raymond, from Warrington, Cheshire, said: “The factory was always very loud because of the machinery being used to the point where I would need to shout to be heard by colleagues standing just a few feet away from me. It was quite easy to get used to the constant background noise and I didn’t realise the lasting impact it would have on my hearing.

“Not being able to hear things can be really frustrating, and the ringing in my ears can be distressing when it keeps happening. It really starts to knock your confidence and affect your mood. I feel sorry for my family, who had to put up with me asking to repeat themselves or speak up all the time, and also just feel angry that this could’ve been avoided if I’d just been given some proper protection sooner.”

If you or a loved one has suffered from hearing damage such as acoustic shock, tinnitus, and noise-induced hearing loss caused by conditions at work our solicitors could help you claim compensation. See our Industrial Disease Claims page for more information.