Were you a BT Engineer?  Are you suffering with hearing loss, hearing damage or tinnitus?

RJW is currently assisting many Prospect members who are suffering with hearing loss and damage to bring a personal injury compensation claim against British Telecom (BT)

Why can you bring a hearing loss claim?

BT have admitted that tone set equipment used by engineers in the 1970s and 1980s have caused serious injury loss.  The tone set, also known as oscillators, were used to install and locate lines in BT’s network.  BT accept that the ‘green’ tone equipment emitted excessive levels of noise and have said that it is likely that it will make a similar admission in relation to unmodified ‘yellow’ tone equipment

The sets were in widespread use and many of those affected may now be Prospect members.  Following successful action by the CWU, payouts have already been made and vary from £5000 to £20,000, depending on the severity on the hearing loss

Engineers may also have been exposed to excessive levels of noise when working in noisy telephone exchanges or whilst using, or working close to, kango hammers and jack hammers without hearing protection

Many of those with noise induced hearing loss in the work place are the last to notice they have a problem.  More often than not it is their families who notice first.  Common hearing problems include:

• Having the television at a level which is uncomfortable for other members of the family
• Regularly having to ask people to repeat themselves
• Difficulty following conversation in a social setting particularly when there is background noise
• Noises in the ear such as ringing or buzzing – this is known as tinnitus
• Finding loud sounds very uncomfortable

Successful claimants will not just receive compensation but may also be able to claim for specialist hearing aids, the cost of which will be included plus treatment for tinnitus

What to do next?

In Personal Injury cases strict time limits apply.

Any member who believes they may have a claim should call the Prospect Solicitors BT Hearing Loss Claimline number 0808 175 7757.