Occupational hearing loss is a serious and sometimes disregarded problem affecting employees across various professions. If you work in manufacturing, construction, or agriculture in Wisconsin, you run a very high risk of developing hearing loss from extended exposure to loud noises. You could be eligible for workers’ compensation if your employment has caused you to lose your hearing.
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Occupational Hearing Loss: What Is It?
The term “occupational hearing loss” describes the progressive hearing loss brought on by prolonged exposure to dangerously high noise levels at work. It is a prevalent problem in sectors of the economy that often employ noisy machinery, power tools, and other equipment. Unlike acute injuries, occupational hearing loss usually occurs gradually, making early detection and treatment more difficult.
The manufacturing and agricultural industries in Wisconsin are especially affected by this issue since their employees are often subjected to noise levels that are above acceptable thresholds. If appropriate safety precautions, such as earplugs or noise-canceling devices, are not offered, this ongoing exposure may result in irreversible hearing loss.
Workers’ compensation regulations in Wisconsin are intended to give workers who sustain accidents at work, which includes hearing loss financial assistance. Because occupational hearing loss is covered under the Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation Act, employees can pursue benefits for their medical costs, lost income, and, in the event of permanent hearing loss, a Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) rating.
About Hearing Loss Workers Compensation Benefits
The Workers Compensation Program was established in 1911 to encourage employers to make the workplace safer by requiring safety programs and the use of safety devices. Since 1911, there have been over 2.5 million workers’ compensation claims filed. Hearing loss workers’ compensation claims now rank #3 in the number of occupational disease claims filed.
Hearing loss workers’ compensation benefits are largely undiscovered benefits covering hearing health care, which is often uninsured. Many health insurance policies and programs like Medicare do not cover hearing aid purchases but workers’ compensation can. It also pays for the disability of hearing loss just as it does for the loss of eyesight or other injuries.
Aging populations, advances in technology, and greater sensitivity to hearing loss are bringing more attention to financing hearing health care. For the most part, those who qualify for hearing loss workers’ compensation benefits are retired hearing-impaired workers who live on fixed incomes.
Workers’ Compensation Regulations in Wisconsin: Key Points to Understand
Filing a Claim
It’s critical to notify your employer as soon as possible if you think your hearing loss is due to your job. In Wisconsin, you have thirty days after realizing you have a hearing impairment to inform your employer. The claims procedure will go more smoothly the sooner you report.
Medical evaluation
To determine the severity of your hearing loss, you will probably have a medical assessment after disclosing your issue. Wisconsin uses the American Medical Association’s (AMA) criteria to assess hearing impairment severity. These results will determine your compensation – a higher degree of hearing loss may result in a larger payment.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Rating
You can be assigned a PPD rating if your hearing loss is considered to be permanent. Your compensation is determined by taking this rating into account, which indicates the severity of your handicap. Wisconsin has a set timetable for filing claims related to hearing impairments, guaranteeing that employees are fairly compensated for their limitations.
Comparing Wisconsin with Other States
When it comes to occupational hearing loss claims, laws and compensation vary across the United States. Here’s how Wisconsin stacks up against other states:
Compensation Calculation
Unlike some states that require noise exposure to exceed specific decibel levels to qualify for compensation, Wisconsin evaluates claims based on the overall degree of hearing loss. States like Georgia have stricter thresholds, requiring exposure to noise levels above 90 decibels to consider the hearing loss compensable.
Time Limits
Compared to states like California, where employees have a short window of time to make claims, Wisconsin allows a more flexible schedule for reporting hearing loss. To prevent complications, it is still advised to report the injury as soon as it is discovered.
Legal Framework
Compared to some other states, Wisconsin is seen to have more worker-friendly policies. For instance, Texas’s impairment income benefit program may result in workers with hearing loss receiving less money. Conversely, the PPD rating method in Wisconsin frequently offers more benefits, accurately representing the actual burden of hearing loss on the worker’s livelihood.
Why Should You Submit Your Claim to Johnson Law Offices?
We at Johnson Law Offices are aware of how difficult it may be to manage hearing loss at work. Navigating the complicated legal procedure of submitting a workers’ compensation claim on your own can be difficult. So that we may assist:
- Professional Legal Counsel: Our group has been managing workers’ compensation claims in Wisconsin for a long time. We’ll assist you at every stage of the procedure, from submitting your claim to challenging any rejections.
- Personalized Service: We take the time to comprehend the particulars of your case since we recognize that each one is different. Regardless of the extent of your hearing loss, we’ll do all in our power to make sure you get the money you are due.
- No Upfront Fees: Since we take cases on a contingency basis, you won’t have to pay us until we prevail. This takes the anxiety out of paying for legal counsel and lets you concentrate on getting well.
Act Now
Do not put off getting aid if your employment has caused you to lose your hearing. Your chances of receiving the compensation you are entitled to are higher the sooner you act. Our goal at Johnson Law Offices is to uphold your legal rights and make sure you get the justice you are due.
For a free consultation, reach out to us right now. Together, let’s protect your future and maintain the standard of living you enjoy. Avoid letting workplace irresponsibility take away your hearing, which is extremely precious.