Acoustic Call Centre Shock

Acoustic shock is most common in call centres where staff are required to wear headsets for a prolonged period of time to speak to customers.

However, it is not just call centre staff who can be impacted. Those who work in factories, in the music businesses – especially technical staff like sound engineers who work in venues – or those in the armed forces are also susceptible.

Damage Caused by Acoustic Shock

Acoustic shock damage varies from person to person. However, there are certain symptoms that are more common than others, such as:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Partial or complete hearing loss
• Partial or complete hearing loss in one or both ears
• Tinnitus
• Sensitivity to sound
• Pain and headaches
• Fatigue and sickness

Employer Responsibility

Your employer should undertake various health and safety measures in order to protect their employees from different health and safety workplace hazards. One of those measures is minimising the risk of acoustic shock and employers who require their employees to use headsets should be paying particular attention to the effects of this potential injury.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Noise at Work Regulations 2005 are two of the regulations that employers must abide by in relation to acoustic shock.

If your employer does not comply with these regulations then they are acting negligently and if an employee is injured, there could be a personal injury claim brought against them.

How Much Compensation?

All personal injury cases are unique and so the amount of compensation that is awarded in each case is also unique. Compensation is understood by looking at two specific factors: general damages and special damages.

General Damages

The pain and suffering that your injuries have caused are main factors that are used to determine how much general damage compensation you are owed. This will usually be determined by undergoing a medical examination, from which a report is created that highlights the length of time the injuries will take to heal as well as their severity. Our compensation calculator will give you an indication of how much general damage compensation you might be entitled to based upon your injuries.

Special Damages

In addition to receiving compensation for your injuries, you may be able to reclaim any financial losses that you might have suffered as a result of your injuries. Compensation for financial losses is known as special damages compensation. This can include losses such as loss of earnings due to not being able to return to work, the cost of treatment as well as travel to treatment. It is important that you keep any receipts or evidence of additional losses in order for these to be reclaimed. With the exception of children, there is a three-year time limit on making a personal injury claim. This time limit begins from the date that the accident initially occurred. Therefore, you should contact a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible to assess your case.

Making Personal Injury Claims

You may be entitled to compensation for a range of compensation claims under accident claims. Our experts will help assess your potential claim going forwards and provide you with proficient advice. Contact First Personal Injury to discuss your potential compensation claim today by ringing 0333 358 2345 or by filling out the online claims form.