Tinnitus Claims: Can I Make One?
Tinnitus can make normal daily life hugely challenging.
Often caused by working environments, it’s a hearing condition that means you hear noises others can’t.
In some cases, you could be awarded compensation after developing tinnitus. Here is our guide to tinnitus claims and whether you could make one.
What is tinnitus?
The NHS defines tinnitus as “hearing noises that are not caused by sounds coming from the outside world”.
You could experience tinnitus differently to someone else. Your tinnitus could sound like buzzing, humming, hissing, ringing, pulsing, throbbing, whooshing or even music.
With tinnitus, you could hear these sounds in one or both ears. You could also hear it in your head rather than your ears.
It could be something you hear all the time or it could come and go – often for no apparent reason.
Tinnitus can be caused by hearing loss, which itself can be caused by exposure to loud noises.
When you can make a tinnitus claim
To make a claim for tinnitus compensation, you’ll need to show that someone else caused you to develop the condition.
When your ear injury is caused by your work, tinnitus claims are typically made against your employer. That’s because they should have protected you.
This protection could take the form of providing hearing protection, limiting exposure to loud noises, implementing noise-control equipment or carrying out health checks for employees at risk of hearing damage or tinnitus.
If your work has led to you developing tinnitus, your employer will usually be liable.
Some common industries responsible for causing tinnitus include:
- Call centres
- Construction
- Highway maintenance
- Manufacturing
- Military
- Music and entertainment
Time limits for tinnitus claims
Most personal injury claims have a deadline of three years of the accident or injury happening – but it can be difficult to do so with many industrial disease claims.
That’s because you may have only developed the condition recently or you may have just found out that it was your work that caused it. There can be exceptions to the deadline with work-related illness claims.
But it’s important to remember that tinnitus claims have to be submitted within three years of the date of your diagnosis.
If you’re not sure whether you still have time, the best thing to do is talk to an expert who can help you work out if you have a valid claim.
Why should you make a tinnitus claim?
In many cases, tinnitus can’t be cured. That means it’s a condition you have to live with for the rest of your life. That could cause real disruption for you.
If your tinnitus was caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to make a compensation claim. That compensation could help you cover the costs of treatment for your tinnitus, which could make living with the condition less stressful.
Our tinnitus claim solicitors will typically help you get the treatment that could help with your condition.
The NHS suggests that counselling or therapy could be helpful for learning to live with tinnitus. You may need to pay for private sessions. Any compensation you’re awarded would help you do that.
Use our tinnitus compensation calculator to find out how much you could be entitled to.
To find out if you could make a No Win No Fee claim and how First4Lawyers could help you do that, just get in touch. Give us a call or start your claim online and we’ll take it from there.
Tinnitus doesn’t have to be something you just put up with it.
Only pay a fee if you receive compensation
Our No Win No Fee solicitors will take a success fee from the compensation you are awarded for a successful claim in the form of a percentage of your damages. This could be up to 25% but it won't be more than that, except in cases of road traffic accidents. Changing laws mean our solicitors will now take a payment of 35% of the final compensation amount plus VAT for all road traffic accident claims.
First4Lawyers are an award-winning claims management company with a track record of delivering service that our clients love.
Helpful Links:
Employers’ Responsibilities Around Noise at Work
No Win No Fee FAQs
What percentage do No Win No Fee solicitors take?
If your case is successful, your solicitor will charge you what’s known as a success fee. This fee will be taken as a percentage of your final compensation amount.
Your solicitor will usually take up to 25% of your final settlement to cover their costs. But it could be up to 35% plus VAT if you were in a road traffic accident.
Before you start the claims process, your solicitor will discuss their success fee and any other costs with you. So there won’t be any surprises later on.
What happens if I lose my No Win No Fee claim?
There will be nothing to pay if your claim is unsuccessful. This means you won’t be responsible for covering your solicitor’s legal fees or any other costs related to your claim if you lose.
If your claim isn’t successful, you may be held liable for the other side’s legal expenses. But this will be covered by what’s known as after the event (ATE) insurance, which your solicitor will advise you on. You won’t need to worry about paying out for this if you lose your case.
To learn more about what could happen if your claim is unsuccessful, take a look at our free guide.
How does No Win No Fee work in Scotland?
Just like in England and Wales, a No Win No Fee arrangement in Scotland means there will be nothing for you to pay if your case is unsuccessful.
But there are some differences in the types of claims covered by No Win No Fee in Scotland. While you’ll still be able to make a No Win No Fee personal injury claim, the arrangement doesn’t cover cases involving medical negligence.
Who are the First4Lawyers team?
When you get in touch with us, you’ll reach our experienced legal services team.
With a blend of expertise and experience, our legal services advisors are here to help guide you through the claims process and answer any questions you may have. So you’ll feel confident going forward.
Is there a catch to No Win No Fee?
No Win No Fee was introduced so that everyone could access compensation and support without the worry of legal costs.
These agreements are there to help you, not catch you out. Your solicitor will explain all the terms and conditions with you before you start your claim. They’ll address any concerns or questions you have, too, so you’ll be fully informed before going forward.
How likely am I to win my No Win No Fee claim?
While we cannot guarantee your case will be successful, No Win No Fee lawyers typically only take on cases they think will have a positive outcome. This is because under a No Win No Fee agreement, lawyers won’t get paid unless a claim is successful.
As well as working to win your case, your lawyer will want to make sure the settlement you receive is appropriate for the impact of your injuries or illness. As a result, they may advise you to reject initial offers while they continue to pursue the compensation you deserve.
