California workers know that when their jobs leave them injured or sick, they have the right to seek benefits through their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. This is also the case if you experienced partial or total hearing loss because of your job.
Loss of auditory capabilities is a serious issue because it is difficult to treat, and often, it is permanent. If your job requirements ultimately harmed your hearing, you have the right to seek financial support. Like others who need the financial support available through a workers’ compensation claim, you may find it beneficial to seek guidance as you navigate this process.
Are you at risk?
There are certain categories of jobs that could place some people at a higher risk of experiencing occupational hearing loss than others. Some of these jobs include:
- Airline maintenance workers
- Military personnel, such as those involved with machinery, combat and aircraft
- People who work in places with excessively loud music
- Farming
- Construction
- Manufacturing
Hearing loss due to excessive noise happens when a sound reaches a certain level. The vibrations from the noise can actually damage the inner ear and result in the loss of the ability to hear. The more a person faces exposure to loud noise, the more likely he or she will experience the loss of at least some hearing.
Regardless of the specific job you have, if you experienced hearing loss because of your job, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. In reality, partial or total hearing loss is often irreversible, which means that the rest of your life could be different.
What benefits do you need?
The intent of workers’ compensation benefits is to provide injured workers with the opportunity to recover their financial losses associated with their job-related accident. You can seek compensation for your medical bills and even recover a portion of your lost wages. It is also possible you could get help for vocational rehabilitation if you are unable to return to the same job you had in the past.
Seeking workers’ compensation benefits can be a frustratingly complex process. Some claims come back denied, and you may experience complications with your employer. From the very beginning of the claims process, you may find it helpful to seek guidance as you complete paperwork and take other necessary steps. If you lost some or all of your hearing because of your job, you have the right to seek support and assistance.