Hearing loss compensation

Billybroadband

I have had a cold call last evening from a "clinic" offering to do a hearing test to see if I have lost at at least 2% of my hearing.
They say that if so, due to Government legislation they can claim compensation on my behalf from my previous employer's insurance even though the employer has long since closed down.
Is this a scam or is it true?
Advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Billy

elsien

It's the latest no win no fee bandwagon, and they're not being entirely accurate.
You would have to prove that an employer subjected you to excessive noise, and that they were in breach of their legal duty at the time. You'd probably also need to prove that hearing loss is due to the employment and not due to age or illness. You may need back up statements from other colleagues. Then in the possibly unlikely event you do get anything, the solicitor will take up to 25%. The 2% figure sounds like something they've plucked out of mid air, I think for industrial disability benefits it needs to be 20%
If you've worked somewhere noisy and industrial, if you're in a union I'd suggest them as a starting point rather than getting straight on to the ambulance chasers.

Indie_Kid

We had a similar call. I'm the only one with any sort of hearing trouble. and that's down to blocked ears / syringing.

Billybroadband

elsien wrote: »

It's the latest no win no fee bandwagon, and they're not being entirely accurate.
You would have to prove that an employer subjected you to excessive noise, and that they were in breach of their legal duty at the time. You'd probably also need to prove that hearing loss is due to the employment and not due to age or illness. You may need back up statements from other colleagues. Then in the possibly unlikely event you do get anything, the solicitor will take up to 25%. The 2% figure sounds like something they've plucked out of mid air, I think for industrial disability benefits it needs to be 20%
If you've worked somewhere noisy and industrial, if you're in a union I'd suggest them as a starting point rather than getting straight on to the ambulance chasers.

Thanks.
I am retired and I left the company in 1987 and am no longer in the ASTMS union. The company is closed but I have no wish to harm their reputation, which is why I am reluctant to get involved in a slanging match!!!
But if it is a straightforward insurance claim, perhaps....