Mr Rigg had been employed by Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, for a period of around 10 years; from 2004 to earlier this year, in 2014. He started off working through an employment agency and was eventually taken on as a permanent member of staff. He was employed as a refuse and recycling loader, based at the Green Lane site in Heywood, Lancashire.

During this time, Mr Rigg was exposed to excessive noise daily, from the refuse and recycling wagons. In particular, the noise of refuse and recycling materials hitting the metal wagon wells and then being crushed.

During Mr Rigg’s employment, he was not provided with hearing protection until the late stages and therefore, most of the damage had already been done. Mr Rigg now suffers from mild noise induced hearing loss and a mild degree of associated tinnitus, which was confirmed when WE Solicitors arranged a medical assessment of his hearing condition. This was presented to the defendants, as part of the evidence, to support Mr Rigg’s claim.

Rochdale MBC admitted liability for Mr Rigg’s claim and did not dispute that they had been negligent in failing to protect Mr Rigg’s hearing from noise damage. It was also an important point that Mr Rigg is of a young age to experience such hearing problems; being only in his early 30’s.

WE Solicitors were able avoid court proceedings and negotiated an out of court settlement of £6,800.00 for Mr Rigg.