From serving his country to seeking justice: A story of hearing loss, tinnitus, and compensation
After joining the forces in 2007, Chris spent 12 years serving his country with the utmost passion and commitment. He had experienced the harsh realities of war, training, and exercises both in the UK and abroad.
However, it was his exposure to excessive noise from rifles, pistols, machine guns, grenades, mortars, military vehicles, and military aircraft that had left him with a lifelong injury.
In May 2019, Chris decided to leave the Royal Marines to spend more time with his family. However, his joy was short-lived, as he was soon diagnosed with noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus. The news was devastating for him and his family, and it left him feeling vulnerable and helpless.
Chris was only 35 at the time, and the hearing loss affected his confidence and social life. It became difficult for him to communicate effectively with others, and his tinnitus caused him sleeping problems.
How Wolferstans Solicitors secured £65,000 settlement
Chris decided to seek legal help, and he approached the Personal Injury experts at Wolferstans Solicitors to assist him. He was introduced to our expert Military Deafness team, who investigated his claim thoroughly.
As a result of their investigations, the Ministry of Defence admitted liability, and Chris was entitled to compensation for the hearing loss and the future costs of hearing aids. While the claim was ongoing, Chris applied for a job that required in-ear hearing aids, which were more suitable and less conspicuous than the over-the-ear hearing aids he was using at the time.
The in-ear hearing aids came with a hefty price tag of almost £4,000, and a monthly maintenance subscription of £40. The hearing aids would need to be replaced every five years, and by the time Chris reached his 70s, the cost would reach tens of thousands of pounds.
Alexandra Nicholas, the expert helping Chris with his case, prepared a detailed Schedule of Loss and Damage, which set out the past and future losses for Chris, including all future costs of hearing aids. With the help of Wolferstans, Chris was able to secure a settlement of £65,000, which included all future hearing aid costs, including maintenance and upkeep.
The settlement was a huge relief for Chris and his family. It removed the burden of worrying about how he would afford to replace his hearing aids in the future. The compensation gave him peace of mind, and he was able to move forward with his life without the constant reminder of his hearing loss.
If you, or someone you know, have experienced an injury, and would like to discuss your situation with us, please get in touch. We offer a free no-obligation chat and work on a No Win No Fee basis.