Industry

Our client worked at Vickers Ship Building Ltd in Barrow in Furness from around 1965 to 1974 as a Fitter and Turner. This company later became BAE Marine Systems Ltd. They built military ships.

Exposure to Noise

Our client was exposed to pneumatic machinery, presses, lathes and other noisy equipment throughout his period of employment. He was never provided with hearing protection or noise awareness training.

What did we have to establish?

We had to establish the following basic matters:

• Our client did have noise induced hearing loss
• He was employed by the defendants
• He was exposed to excessive levels of noise
• The defendants owed our client a duty of care and were negligent in failing to provide hearing protection, training and supervision.

How did we help?

In order to progress the case we had to:

• Discuss with our client how and where he worked to establish a picture of his exposure to noise.
• Assess the time limits involved in the case
• Arrange for him to undergo a hearing test
• Establish whether the companies still existed and contact the relevant insures notifying of the claim.
• Arrange a medical report
• Correspond with the defendants insurers and advise them of their breach of duty and negligence
• Advise the client on the prospects of the case and discuss how we had valued the claim.
• Negotiate settlement

The Outcome

Eventually we were able to negotiate a settlement of £7,500 without the need to commence court proceedings and took approximately 12 months to settle.