Under Iowa law, there are multiple statutes which provide workers' compensation benefits for gradual hearing loss, acute loss of hearing, and a condition known as tinnitus, or ringing in the ears.
Hearing Loss: Workplace Exposure Over a Period of Time
You may have suffered an occupational hearing loss due to significant exposure to noise in the workplace over a period of time. Iowa law covers such injuries under Chapter 85B.
These workers' comp hearing loss claims are very specific and include rules requiring you to give notice and file a complaint within a certain specified time period. These timelines and rules are very different from the typical workplace injury. These claims, therefore, require counsel who is very familiar with this portion of Iowa workers' compensation law. You need a lawyer who has handled these cases in the past.
Hearing Loss: Single Workplace Incident
You may have suffered a loss of hearing due to a single workplace incident. For example, you may have been exposed to a significantly loud or traumatic event. We have represented injured workers who experienced hearing loss following events like tires bursting, explosions, or after sustaining a direct blow to the head or ears. These types of single event traumas also provide benefits, typically covered under Chapter 85 of Iowa law.
Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ear)
We’re proud the attorneys at Wertz Law Firm convinced the Iowa Supreme Court to allow compensation for injured workers when tinnitus arises from workplace activities.
If you suffer from tinnitus, you know the very real and significant symptoms which accompany this diagnosis.
Most injured workers describe tinnitus as a ringing in their ears or head. This ringing may alter your ability to sleep, hear, and concentrate. These injuries are compensable as a whole claim, which focuses on how the tinnitus impacts your ability to earn a living.
If the tinnitus results in your need to be removed from certain workplace environments or a loss of sleep and concentration which affects your ability to perform employment-related duties, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation under Iowa law.
Tinnitus may be triggered by a single traumatic incident or the result of years of exposure to workplace noise.
These claims require medical specialists trained in the treatment and evaluation of tinnitus. You need to work with an attorney who knows these medical issues and knows the various medical experts in this field, so you will be properly treated and compensated for these injuries.
We will assist you in obtaining the workers' compensation you and your family deserve for any loss of hearing, occupational hearing loss, or tinnitus as a result of your work.