Mr Friel was exposed to excessive levels of noise, whilst working for household appliance manufacturer Parkinson Cowan (owned by the Electrolux Group) for a period of around 12 years. Mr Friel worked for the defendant, from 1980 to 1992 and was employed as a progress chaser in the Production Control Department, a machine operator in the Pan Section and lastly, as an inspector in the Enamel Department.

Mr Friel advises he was exposed to the noise of press machines, welding machinery, stacker trucks, conveyor tracks and production lines. He recalls that is was so loud, he would have to shout to communicate with a colleague, at distances of around 4 feet.

During Mr Friel’s employment, he was provided with any hearing protection and nor was he ever made aware of the dangers that working in excessive noise gives rise to, by way of any noise awareness training. He was therefore unaware of the risks of working in noise, otherwise, he would have asked for hearing protection.

Mr Friel now suffers from mild noise induced hearing loss and a slight degree of noise related 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 Friel’s claim.

Some of Mr Friel’s noise exposure could not be claimed for, as some of his periods of exposure with other companies were only for a few months at a time and were therefore too short to claim for.

WE Solicitors were able to negotiate an out of court settlement of £4,750.00 for Mr Friel, avoiding the need for court proceedings.  Mr Friel commented ‘WE Solcitors are a very friendly and professional company to deal with’.

Owing to the other exposure, a discount had to be applied to Mr Friel’s settlement, as the defendant pursued could not be held liable for the periods of exposure elsewhere. After the deduction, Mr Friel received £4,237.25. Both Mr Friel and WE Solicitors are pleased with the outcome.