Hearing Loss Attorney Charleston WV
Our hearing is definitely a delicate part of the human body, and when exposed to excessive, sudden noises or continual loud noises, our hearing can be permanently damaged. Whether you were at work or in an accident, if you’ve suffered hearing loss or tinnitus as the result of someone else’s carelessness, then West Virginia law has a solution to recover damages from the injury. To pursue a civil lawsuit for your injuries, you’ll need an experienced hearing loss attorney in Charleston, WV.
At the Love Law Firm, founding personal injury attorney Charles M. Love will fight for justice and your interests. We employ a wide network of resources and litigate with an aggressive and thorough legal approach, whether in the courtrooms or at the negotiation table. For a free consultation with our Charleston firm, contact us today at (304) 344-5683. In the meantime, you can find more information about hearing loss below.
Overview of Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Often, tinnitus (a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears) and hearing loss occur in the workplace, and many companies in the Charleston area are legally required to make employees wear special, noise-canceling headphones. This requirement is enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). At the same time, tinnitus and hearing loss can also occur in an accident or due to a defective product.
Generally, hearing loss and tinnitus result from the following causes:
- Continual and prolonged exposure to loud noises
- Head injuries in an accident
- Exposure to an extremely loud and sudden noise
Furthermore, there are two types of hearing loss that can result from an accident or work-related injury, including:
- Conductive hearing loss — Occurs when the ear cannot properly transmit sound waves to the eardrum
- Sensorineural hearing loss — Caused by damage to the inner ear, central nerve, or the sound-processing portions of the brain
Tinnitus, on the other hand, is caused by damage to the hairs on the inner ear. These hairs are known as cilia, and when a person has damage to this part of the ear, they experience a perception of a sound when there is not a source of the sound. Some people with tinnitus describe the sound like chirping, ringing, hissing, static, whooshing, roaring, buzzing, and ocean waves, among many others.
Hearing Loss Personal Injury Suit
If you suffered hearing loss due to the negligence or fault of another (including companies, entities, and corporations), then you can pursue compensation for the damages incurred. In a non-work-related situation, hearing loss typically occurs when there is head trauma, such as in a car or bicycle accident, a slip and fall, or in a premises liability situation. Hearing loss can also occur when a product is defective, such as airbags or compressed air canisters.
In addition to accidents, hearing loss often occurs at the workplace. OSHA has strict regulations to protect the hearing of workers, but in some workplaces, management either purposefully or negligently dismisses the use of protective hearing equipment or fails to take proper safety precautions when loud noises (such as controlled demolitions) are near.
The compensation for a hearing loss personal injury lawsuit or worker’s comp can be quite substantial, covering expenses such as medical expenses, physical therapy, change-of-lifestyle expenses, medical equipment expenses, and more. The compensation can also cover loss of income from work, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and even for punitive damages.
Contact the Love Law Firm for Full-Service Representation
When pursuing legal action against the responsible party(s) in West Virginia, our first (and perhaps our most important) goal is to prove that the accident was caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of the other party. In other words, we need to prove fault. With a wide network of resources, including third-party experts and medical professionals, personal injury lawyer Charles Love will approach your case from every angle, and we will always put your interests at the forefront of our litigation strategies.
If you’ve been injured in an accident and suffered hearing loss, call our Charleston, WV, law firm today by calling (304) 344-5683. Free consultations are available.
