Our ears are incredible, with more than 20,000 tiny hair cells and the tiniest bones in the human body. And they don’t just help us hear. Ears are also essential for our sense of balance–and can even impact our sense of taste!
That’s what makes ear injuries so devastating. When you can’t hear properly, your entire quality of life is impacted, and unfortunately, many workers in South Florida risk their hearing on the job every day. If you’ve one of the many employees who have suffered ear or hearing injuries at work, contact Flaxman Law Group for a consultation with a South Florida workplace injury claims attorney. We can review whether you have a workers’ compensation claim or a third-party claim, so you can pursue the compensation you deserve.
How Do Ear Injuries Happen in South Florida Workplaces?
Hearing and ear injuries can happen in almost any job. Common causes for these injuries include:
- Loud workplaces. Over time, exposure to loud machinery, construction sites, and industrial environments can cause permanent damage to hearing. In loud spaces, workers should be equipped with ear protection.
- Physical injuries. Crushing injuries to the ears, puncture wounds to the ears, falls, and head injuries can all cause damage to both the ear itself and to hearing.
- Sudden noise. A sudden explosion or other loud sound can cause damage to the ear, especially if the noise occurs close to the ear.
- Changes in pressure. Employees who work in airlines or in diving can experience barotrauma. In this condition, sudden changes in air or water pressure can cause damage to the inner ear or sinuses. In rare cases, it can lead to ruptured ear drums or can have a life-threatening impact on the lungs.
If you work in an environment where your ears can be damaged, you may notice a range of symptoms, such as:
- Ringing or another strange sound
- Hearing loss
- Pain in the ear area
- A feeling of pressure or fullness in your ear
- Dizziness
- Problems with balance
- Discharge or bleeding from the ear
- Difficulty hearing others or problems hearing specific sounds
If you notice these or any signs of hearing loss or ear injuries, seek medical help right away. Early diagnosis and treatment could help protect some of your hearing and can help you enjoy the best prognosis possible.
It’s also important to seek medical help after a work-related ear injury because you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Seeing a doctor early can help establish that your injury was caused by work so you can apply for benefits that pay for your medical care and any lost time at work.
Hearing loss and ear injuries are complex. You may suffer a permanent injury and need to get retrained for your work or may need to take on new work. Your quality of life may be affected by your injury, too. Unfortunately, even if you’re eligible for workers’ compensation benefits you may find it difficult to get your rightful benefits. Many workers do. Employers and their insurance companies sometimes claim that hearing loss and injuries happened due to loud noises outside of work or try to deny a legitimate claim for other reasons.
This tendency to try to deny or minimize your claim is why you might want to speak with a South Florida workers’ compensation attorney before you even file a claim. For example, you can always contact Flaxman Law Group if you’ve been injured. You can call our team at 866-352-9626 at any time of the day or night and speak to a real person who can schedule an appointment for you so you can talk to an attorney who can answer your questions. Or contact us online to schedule your consultation.