Personal Injury and Hearing Problems
Any injury can significantly impact a person’s life, but the effects can be especially devastating if one of the five senses is compromised. For example, hearing loss greatly affects a person’s quality of life, influencing things like how they interact with family and friends, and their ability to perform job duties.
If a person suffers a personal injury involving hearing problems, and it stems from an accident caused by another person’s reckless or negligent behavior, he or she may be due financial compensation for damages. The personal injury lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau in Daytona Beach, FL, and Palm Coast, FL, fight for compensation for all losses related to hearing loss.
What Causes Hearing Problems?
There are two types of hearing loss:
- Conductive hearing loss: This type of hearing loss occurs when parts of the ear fail to transmit soundwaves through the eardrum.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: This type of hearing loss is the result of damage to the central nerves, inner ear, or sound-processing sectors of the brain, any of which can prevent sound from transferring to the brain where it can be processed.
These types of hearing problems can be present from birth or they can be caused by genetics, disease, or injury. Three types of situations that can result in injuries related to hearing problems include:
- Sudden exposure to an extremely loud noise
- Pro-longed or repeated exposure to overly loud noises
- Suffering a head or brain injury
Accidents That Can Result in Hearing Loss
There are several types of accidents that could result in personal injuries involving hearing problems. Some of the most common include car accidents, a slip or fall, and construction site accidents.
A car accident can pose a significant threat to a person’s hearing. Car accidents often create loud, sudden noises that could damage a person’s hearing. This is especially true if an airbag is deployed. While airbags can be life-saving protective features, they can cause damage. When an airbag is released, it makes an explosive sound that can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. Another risk of a car accident is a brain injury. If the head is impacted or the brain moves around inside the skull due to an accident, hearing loss is possible.
Slips and fall accidents often do not involve loud sounds, but they do frequently result in head and brain injuries. When people hit their head, injuries are possible. The greater the impact or the higher the fall, the more likely it is that parts of the brain could be damaged, including those areas that are essential to hearing.
Finally, construction accidents, or work on construction sites, can result in hearing problems. Construction sites tend to be loud environments, so without proper protection, prolonged exposure to noise can cause hearing problems. Additionally, there is the risk of accidents (including loud explosions) that can result in damage to the brain or the ability to hear.
Damages for Hearing Problems
If another person or party’s reckless or negligent actions results in an accident or injury that causes hearing problems, they should be held liable for resulting damages. Our personal injury lawyers can assist clients in collecting compensation for the full extent of their injuries, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses (including the cost of surgery and hearing devices)
- Lost wages
- Loss of wage-earning potential
- Pain and suffering
Contact Us
If your hearing has been compromised by a personal injury, you may be due financial compensation for resulting losses. To learn more, send a message to the personal injury lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau, or call (866) 610-0653 to schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience.