Mr Leeworthy has been employed by Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, within the Environmental Services department, for a period of around 22 years; from 1992 to the present day. He started off working as a loader and was later promoted to chargehand loader. Mr Leeworthy was initially based at the Entwistle Road site in Rochdale, later moving to the Green Lane site in Heywood, Lancashire, where he is currently employed.

During this time, Mr Leeworthy 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 Leeworthy’s employment, he was not provided with hearing protection until approximately, the last few years and therefore, most of the damage had already been done. Mr Leeworthy now suffers from mild noise induced hearing loss and a mild to moderate 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 Leeworthy’s claim.

Rochdale MBC admitted liability for Mr Leeworthy’s claim and did not dispute that they had been negligent in failing to protect Mr Leeworthy’s hearing from noise damage.

WE Solicitors were able to negotiate an out of court settlement of £7,300.00 for Mr Leeworthy, avoiding the need for court proceedings.

Mr Leeworthy said ‘As this was my first time making a claim I was a little wary but from the beginning Natalie Howarth made me feel comfortable.  We had a minor setback part way through but Natalie kept me focused and confident evething would be fine.

Natalie has been professional and brilliant the whole way through.  I would never have a problem recommending or using WE Solicitors in the future.’