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News Desk | News Story
24th October 2007
Leading trade union GMB has secured £3,500 in compensation for a member who suffered from noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) after working at Alcoa Extruded Products (UK) Ltd, of Banbury, Oxfordshire. Mr Stuart Capell, aged 61, from Banbury, brought his claim after realising that his hearing had become impaired. His claim was handled by personal injury specialists Thompsons Solicitors.
Mr Capell was employed as an extrusion operative from 1974 until 2005. He initially started in the re-melt department and then moved to the extrusion department in 1975 working on the presses.
Stuart Capell explains: "Despite the excessive noise which came from the presses and the surrounding machinery, I wasn't provided with any protection from Alcoa until the mid 80s. I realised something was wrong in November 2005, after a medical. Sadly I wasn't aware of the long term damage this could cause and I now suffer from noise induced hearing loss which affects my day to day life."
Andrea Austin from GMB, comments: "Stuart Capell is the latest victim whose hearing has been impaired for the rest of his life. Employers have been required to control noise at work for decades, and deafness has long been one of Britain's most serious occupational diseases. The latest Control of Noise at Work Regulations came into effect in April 2006. We would urge other members to come forward if they have experienced similar hearing problems as a result of noise at work."
Representing Stuart Capell, Victoria Kingscote from Thompsons Solicitors explains: "Noise remains one of the most underestimated workplace risks. Employees shouldn't see deafness as 'just one of those things'; it is usually caused - as in Stuart Capell's case - by an employer failing to provide suitable equipment and - as Stuart has learnt to his cost - has long term consequences.”
If you or someone you know has developed occupational deafness or any other industrial illness, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim, including claims for occupational deafness. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim for occupational deafness in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your industrial deafness, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.