Military Hearing Loss Claims
Like any job, when working in the armed forces, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has a duty to protect you from injury. Military personnel should be supplied with and instructed on how to use proper protective equipment, and given training on the risks involved, in order to avoid injury. If you have experienced hearing loss during your military service due to the MoD’s negligence, you may be able to pursue compensation claims.
The expert military injury solicitors at JMW can help you to claim compensation for hearing loss caused by excessive noise and the lack of adequate hearing protection while serving in the armed forces. With our no win, no fee claims services, you can be confident that you are at minimal financial risk when choosing to pursue compensation.
For more information about how JMW Solicitors can help you, call us today on 0345 872 6666 or fill out an online enquiry form to arrange a time for us to call you back.
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How JMW Can Help
Our specialist military injury solicitors have extensive experience securing compensation for noise-induced hearing loss caused by failures in duty of care. We understand the strict time limits for bringing these claims, and the importance of acting quickly to preserve evidence.
When you contact us, we will arrange a no-obligation consultation to discuss how your hearing loss occurred, the conditions you were exposed to, and the impact it has had on your career and daily life. We will explain the legal options available to you and outline the steps we will take on your behalf.
If you choose to proceed, we will begin gathering the evidence required to prove your case. This may include service and medical records, independent medical assessments, technical documentation and witness statements. We know how to obtain specialist military evidence not usually required in civilian cases, and will guide you through any steps you need to take to support your claim.
Once we have built a strong case, we will submit a formal letter of claim to the Ministry of Defence. If the MoD accepts liability, we will negotiate a settlement that reflects the full extent of your losses, including pain and suffering, lost earnings, missed promotions, loss of benefits and pension entitlement. If the MoD disputes the claim, we are experienced in taking cases to court and will represent you robustly throughout proceedings.
We work with those who have served in:
- The British Army
- The Royal Air Force
- The Royal Marines
- The Royal Navy
- Special Forces
- The Reserves
All claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis, so you can pursue your case without the burden of legal costs.
Meet Our Team
Clare Stevens
Clare Stevens is a Partner at JMW Solicitors in Manchester, specialising in catastrophic injury cases, particularly those involving military personnel. She has extensive experience handling serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, blast injuries, and amputations. Clare is also well-versed in Non-Freezing Cold Injuries, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme claims, Criminal Injuries Compensation (Overseas) Scheme claims, and cases involving combat immunity and inquest representation.
Notably, she secured a £7.2 million settlement for a pilot who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and has represented clients in high-profile inquests, including the Castlemartin and Brecon Beacons cases.
To speak to Clare today, call us on 0345 872 6666.
Case Study
How to Tell if You Have Experienced Hearing Loss
In some cases, it is possible to be affected by instant hearing loss. This will be more noticeable as you will need to adapt quickly to the weakening of one of your senses.
The symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss include:
- Struggling to hear words that are spoken to you
- Struggling to differentiate noises from background noise
- Needing to listen to the TV louder or with subtitles
- Failing to pick up on passing speech
If you struggle with any of the above, you should seek a diagnosis from a medical professional.
Can I Claim for Hearing Loss from the Army?
You may be able to claim for hearing loss from the army if your condition was caused by exposure to excessive noise during service. Military hearing loss claims are often made by individuals who were not provided with adequate hearing protection while working in high-noise environments, such as on firing ranges, in armoured vehicles, or near heavy machinery. Military tinnitus and hearing loss claims can arise from prolonged exposure to loud noise. If the MoD failed to take reasonable steps to protect your hearing, you could be eligible to pursue a military hearing loss claim.
British Army hearing loss claims can cover conditions of varying severity, ranging from cases of mild hearing impairment to severe military deafness claims where hearing is significantly affected. The MoD hearing loss claims process involves gathering medical evidence and proving that your condition was caused by your service. If successful, you may receive compensation to help with treatment and any impact on your daily life.
What is the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)?
The AFCS is in place to allow armed forces personnel access to compensation due to injuries predominantly caused by service. For these injuries or illnesses, you may be eligible to claim a lump sum payment or a monthly Guaranteed Income Payment (GIF) - both tax-free. If you have suffered from hearing damage due to your time in the military, we will help you to claim compensation and benefit from the scheme.
Why Choose JMW?
Due to the success we have had for our clients, JMW Solicitors has received recognition from the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners guides, ranking us as one of the top law firms in the UK. Our military injury team has contributed significantly to this. When you work with us, you can be confident that you have experienced and leading professionals in your corner, providing you with the best chance of making a successful compensation claim.
We will work closely with you to help you understand the process and what is required of you. We understand that those dealing with injury can find the claims process stressful - as such, we will take on the legal burden, working while you focus on your health. We can also direct you to medical and mental health services while your claim is ongoing.
At JMW, all of our military injury claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis. This means that when you make a claim with us, you will not have to worry about paying us anything unless we are successful. Even then, compensation is typically calculated with your legal costs in mind, so you will not need to worry about covering this expense. We will work to make sure the support you need will be covered by your compensation award.
FAQs About Military Hearing Loss Claims
- Are there time limits for making a claim?
There are specific time limits for making a civil military hearing loss claim. Generally, you have three years from the date of your diagnosis or the date you became aware of your hearing loss to make a claim. However, it is crucial to contact us as soon as possible to ensure that your claim is processed within the time limit. Delaying your claim could result in losing your right to compensation, so prompt action is essential.
- How long does a military hearing loss claim take?
There is no one answer, as the length of a military hearing loss claim depends on the specifics of each case. Factors such as the severity of hearing loss, available medical evidence, and whether the MoD accepts liability can all affect the timeframe. Some claims may settle within months, while more complex cases can take longer. Seeking legal advice can help ensure the process moves as efficiently as possible.
- How much can I claim for noise-induced hearing loss?
Military injury claims can vary in terms of financial worth. As each individual's circumstances are different, each compensation payout will also be different. When you call us, we will be able to offer you an estimate for how much you may be able to claim, but this will depend on the impact on your career, medical costs, any support you may need at home or work, and any additional financial losses you have incurred due to your hearing problems.
For more information, speak to us today.
- Can you be discharged from the armed forces if your hearing test falls below a certain level?
You should undergo regular audiograms in the armed forces. You must meet the required standards, otherwise you risk being medically downgraded or discharged from service.
Adequate hearing protection is crucial for military personnel to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. The MoD has a responsibility to provide appropriate hearing protection to its members. If you believe that the MoD's negligence in providing sufficient hearing protection has led to your hearing loss and you are now facing downgrading or discharge, you may be facing a significant loss of income. For legal advice, speak to a solicitor from JMW today.
- How can I prove that I lost my hearing serving in the armed forces?
To prove that your hearing has been damaged, you can take a pure-tone audiometry test and a speech audiometry test. These will display your ability to hear certain types of sound that are essential to functional hearing. The higher your score on the test, the louder the sound has to be for you to hear it, meaning your hearing will have significantly decreased.
This test can be used to find out whether you are still suitable for service in the armed forces, but can also be used as evidence to show the MOD was responsible for your damaged hearing. When you make a hearing loss compensation claim with us, we will help you to arrange a hearing test and have it analysed so there is no disputing the cause of your loss of hearing.
Talk to us
For more information on how JMW can help you to claim compensation for hearing loss, call us today on 0345 872 6666, or fill out an online enquiry form and we will return your call at a time convenient for you.