When an accident victim suffers catastrophic injuries, it usually means that the injuries are so severe that the victim is left with long-term or permanent damage. While it may not be an injury that many people think about, hearing loss is a very real and serious injury that can have a profound effect on an accident victim’s life. Some victims may eventually recover full or partial hearing, but others can be left with permanent deafness that can interfere with their ability to earn a living in their current profession and perform certain tasks that we all take for granted, such as driving a vehicle.
If you have suffered hearing loss because of another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the losses the injury has caused you. A Virginia Beach personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case to determine what legal options you may have.
Causes of Hearing Loss
Many hearing loss injuries are due to workplace injuries, such as exposure to loud noises over an extended period. Many of these injuries fall under workers’ compensation laws, which are separate and addressed differently than personal injury laws. In some cases, the injury – although occurring on the job – could have been caused by the negligence of a third party. Some of the more common of these legal scenarios include:
- A negligent party caused extreme noise that resulted in damage to the victim’s hearing.
- A manufacturer produced a faulty product that failed to protect the victim or damaged the victim’s hearing.
- The victim suffered a brain or ear injury that caused hearing loss in a vehicle accident while they were performing job-related duties.
In many of these injury cases, it can be difficult for the victim to specify clearly the incident that damaged their hearing because the loss of hearing can be delayed or occur gradually over time. Victims are often faced with having to prove that their hearing loss is not a “natural” occurrence, happening because of age or some reason. This is why consulting with a Virginia personal injury attorney is critical if you have suffered a hearing loss injury.
What Types of Damages Can a Hearing Loss Victim Receive?
When a Virginia accident attorney files a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of a person living with hearing loss, there are a variety of damages they can seek, including:
- Emergency medical treatment following the injury
- Continued medical treatment for loss of hearing
- Medical equipment, such as hearing aids
- Loss of income while recovering
- Loss of future income if the victim cannot go back to their prior profession because of the permanent damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Diminished enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one has suffered hearing loss or other type of catastrophic injury as a result of another party’s negligent or reckless actions, contact Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp for a free consultation with one of our Virginia Beach personal injury lawyers. Our firm has aggressively advocated for victims and their families for almost four decades and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve, like the $1.5 million settlement we obtained for one client, a minor child who suffered severe facial scarring and multiple surgeries following a dog attack.