You may be eligible for compensation under the federal sick worker program for occupational hearing loss. This condition affects the majority of former DOE workers based on past results of medical screening programs and has a significant impact on one’s quality of life and activities of daily living.
Medical research indicates that hearing loss can be caused both by exposure to excessive noise and organic solvents. Exposure to solvents commonly used at the DOE sites contribute to hearing loss beyond the role of excessive noise which could help us understand why many plant workers unfortunately continue to experience significant hearing loss even after they are removed from noisy environments.
Even if you have already been compensated for occupational hearing loss pursuant to state law, you may be eligible for additional compensation and medical benefits under the federal program.
DOL recognizes the following solvents as causing hearing loss:
- toluene
- styrene
- xylene
- trichlorethylene
- methyl ethyl ketone
- methyl isobutyl
- ethyl benzene
While you may be unaware of all of the different solvents to which you have been exposed, information concerning potential exposures is available through the DOL site exposure matrices.
DOL recognizes 22 separate labor/job categories that potentially qualify for compensation.
Please feel free to contact us if either you or a family member has any questions concerning eligibility for hearing loss compensation. We can arrange for an evaluation and obtain necessary employment and medical documentation for a claim.
