Miss-Delectable
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Grandad wins deaf claim award - Wigan Today
A Wigan grandfather whose hearing was damaged by working with noisy machinery has won almost £4,000 in compensation.
Detective work by his solicitor helped Albert Shaw make a claim for industrial deafness caused by the heavy plant he operated for 14 years without proper ear protection.
The 72-year-old from Banner Street, Lower Ince, noticed he had hearing problems when his family kept telling him he was shouting on the phone and that he had the TV volume very loud.
A hearing test confirmed he had noise-induced hearing loss after years working as a plant operator for construction firm William Townson and Sons Ltd.
Said Albert. "I worked on construction sites from 1968 to 1984, operating heavy plant and equipment on building sites.
"Sometimes the noise level in the cab was incredible - and for the first couple of years there wasn't even a cab - but we were given no protection until 1982, when they gave us ear muffs and head protection.
But by then the damage was done.
"You didn't realise what was happening at the time because it was a gradual process. It hasn't left me stone deaf but I use earphones for the TV and have trouble hearing people when there are other noises."
After the test Albert was told he may have a case for compensation, but the first solicitor he went to could not trace his ex-employer's insurers.
He turned to Manchester law firm Pannone where specialist industrial injury lawyer, Natasha Ross looked into the case.
"Fortunately, with Albert's help, Natasha was able to trace personal references from his former employer, which had details of Towson's company registration details.
Natasha said: "This meant we were able to trace the firm's insurers and could pursue a claim on Mr Shaw's behalf, which I'm pleased to say resulted in him receiving the compensation he deserved for this debilitating condition.
"Noise-induced hearing loss is a problem for thousands of workers in the UK and areas like Wigan, which had a lot of heavy industry, including textile mills and engineering are particularly affected. The first thing anyone who thinks they may have a problem should do is to see their GP and ask to be referred for a hearing test."
A Wigan grandfather whose hearing was damaged by working with noisy machinery has won almost £4,000 in compensation.
Detective work by his solicitor helped Albert Shaw make a claim for industrial deafness caused by the heavy plant he operated for 14 years without proper ear protection.
The 72-year-old from Banner Street, Lower Ince, noticed he had hearing problems when his family kept telling him he was shouting on the phone and that he had the TV volume very loud.
A hearing test confirmed he had noise-induced hearing loss after years working as a plant operator for construction firm William Townson and Sons Ltd.
Said Albert. "I worked on construction sites from 1968 to 1984, operating heavy plant and equipment on building sites.
"Sometimes the noise level in the cab was incredible - and for the first couple of years there wasn't even a cab - but we were given no protection until 1982, when they gave us ear muffs and head protection.
But by then the damage was done.
"You didn't realise what was happening at the time because it was a gradual process. It hasn't left me stone deaf but I use earphones for the TV and have trouble hearing people when there are other noises."
After the test Albert was told he may have a case for compensation, but the first solicitor he went to could not trace his ex-employer's insurers.
He turned to Manchester law firm Pannone where specialist industrial injury lawyer, Natasha Ross looked into the case.
"Fortunately, with Albert's help, Natasha was able to trace personal references from his former employer, which had details of Towson's company registration details.
Natasha said: "This meant we were able to trace the firm's insurers and could pursue a claim on Mr Shaw's behalf, which I'm pleased to say resulted in him receiving the compensation he deserved for this debilitating condition.
"Noise-induced hearing loss is a problem for thousands of workers in the UK and areas like Wigan, which had a lot of heavy industry, including textile mills and engineering are particularly affected. The first thing anyone who thinks they may have a problem should do is to see their GP and ask to be referred for a hearing test."