At Keenan Solicitors, we recently secured a £20,000 settlement for a client who suffered noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus after working at FG Wilson (Caterpillar NI) for 25 years.

Despite long-term exposure to excessive noise, his employer failed to provide proper hearing protection for 15 years, and when protection was introduced, it was of poor quality and not enforced.

This case highlights the serious impact of workplace noise exposure and how employees can still claim compensation years after leaving a job.

What Happened?

Our client worked as a mechanical fitter at FG Wilson (Caterpillar NI) from the late 1980s until 2013. His role involved operating engraving and punching machines, which created an extremely noisy environment.

• For 15 years, no ear protection was provided.
• When protection was introduced, it was ineffective and poorly enforced.
• He had to shout to communicate with colleagues due to the high noise levels.
• After each shift, he experienced dullness and buzzing in his ears, a sign of noise-related hearing damage.

Over time, he noticed worsening hearing problems, including:

• Struggling to follow conversations in noisy environments.
• Turning up the TV and radio to excessive volumes.
• Constant buzzing tinnitus, causing sleep disruption.

After discussing his concerns with family, he realised his hearing loss was affecting his quality of life and sought legal advice from Keenan Solicitors.

The Case:

1. Confirming the Medical Diagnosis

To prove his hearing loss was caused by workplace noise, we:

• Arranged a free hearing test, which confirmed his hearing loss followed the established NIHL pattern.
• Collected employment records and medical history to support his case.
• Scheduled an ENT Consultant examination, which confirmed:
  • Hearing damage consistent with long-term noise exposure.
  • Tinnitus symptoms linked to workplace noise.

2.  Issuing Legal Proceedings

Given the clear employer negligence, we:

• Issued County Court proceedings to move the case forward without delays.
• Arranged for our client to be assessed by the Defendant’s ENT expert, as required in NIHL claims.
• Prepared the case for a contested hearing, ensuring strong medical and legal evidence.

3. Settlement Negotiations

• As the Contest date approached, we engaged in pre-trial settlement discussions.
• We successfully negotiated a £20,000 settlement, ensuring our client received maximum compensation without the need for a full court hearing.

The Outcome:

Our client was delighted with his £20,000 compensation, which covered:

• The long-term impact of his hearing loss on daily life.
• The distress caused by persistent tinnitus.
• The difficulties faced in social and family interactions.

This case highlights that employees exposed to workplace noise—even decades ago—can still claim compensation for hearing loss.

Think Your Hearing Loss Might Be Work-Related? We Can Help!

If you’ve worked in a noisy environment and now experience hearing difficulties or tinnitus, you may be entitled to compensation—even if your job ended years ago.