I’ve been working on a hearing loss claim and thought it would be a good idea to share some basic information about occupational hearing loss L&I claims in Washington State. Hearing loss claims are governed by RCW 51.28.055. Unless hearing loss occurs as a direct result of a sudden, traumatic event (which would be more appropriately classified as an industrial injury), occupational hearing loss claims are typically allowed as occupational disease claims. This kind of hearing loss is usually called sensorineural hearing loss.
However, these claims have some particular rules related to the timing of filing a claim that can significantly impact the long term value of the claim. In short, claims for occupational disease hearing loss must be filed within two years of being informed in writing by a physician or ARNP that an occupational disease claim exists and that a claim may be filed. As a practical matter, it is very rare for a physician or ANRP to put this kind of information in writing without taking the additional step of filing a claim. Therefore, it is very rare to see claims be denied solely because an application was not filed within an appropriate timeframe.
It is very important to know that just because an occupational hearing loss claim is allowable does not necessarily mean it is compensable. For an individual for a hearing loss claim to receive compensation under the claim (most frequently a Permanent Partial Disability or PPD award) the claim must be filed within two years of when the worker was last exposed to occupational noise in employment. In order words, if an individual stops working in an environment with occupational noise exposure in 2010 and does not file a claim until 2020, the claim may be allowed for medical aid benefits (typically hearing aids and lifetime repairs or replacements) but not other monetary benefits such as a PPD.
In summary, if you are a worker and you believe that your work has contributed to your hearing loss it is best not to delay in seeking out a medical examination to assess your hearing loss and to file a claim for occupational disease hearing loss to ensure that you will be afforded both medical and compensation benefits under the Industrial Insurance Act.
I’m having all the issues you have explained but need to speak to a lawyer that I can over some of my issues I’m having with them is 32 yr of noise exposure something they are doing what you mentioned in your information who in Tacoma can I speak with ?
Are there Any attorney s out there who listen to L& I hearing loss claims???
We filed 5 months out of the 2 year limitations. My husband only had 4 employers in 35 years of work in construction! He cannot be compensated?
i recently went and got my hearing because my significant other told me that i would be ignoring her and the kids i never knew so i got tested the tester said that i had significant hearing loss i worked in the shipyards here in washington state and several prossesing vesselels in alaska is there a lawyer here in kitsap co that i can talk to.
Hi Mervin. I’m sorry to hear about your situation. The shipyard work falls under federal workers compensation, which we currently do not do. I’m not aware of anyone else in Kitsap that handles federal workers’ comp cases.
File your claim within two years. You will get hearing aids for life and supplies and a pay out depending on what severity. An occupational hearing doctor can file this. We did not have a lawyer.
I have 45% hearing loss high tone L&i gave me hearing aids I was asked if I have ringing in my ears. I said no but I don’t understand what the dr. Meant he meant tinnitus. I do have that it not a ring in the ears but it like static. It’s hard for me to explain the noise. It is constantly never ending. Could I be compensated financially from work related damages to my hearing
In my case I’m being denied PPD for an Injury claim in which I had a Sudden loss of hearing and tinnitus resulting from an accident and not occupational hearing loss. In the claims paper work it advises that tinnitus resulting from an industrial injury (which the claim was filed as an injury) accepts a tinnitus rating with or without compensative hearing loss. My issue is within the guidelines they seem to not have a way to calculate sudden Traumatic hearing loss for an injury as if it doesn’t meet the criteria for occupational hearing loss they advised I cannot be compensated. Does this mean my hearing loss is non compensatable or is it a larger grey area?
Even after pointing out very clear adjudicater guidelines verbage they say I will have to file an appeal which I’ve done once before.
It’s been close to a 2 year battle and not sure what steps to take next?
Hi Joshua. The situation you are describing is a gray area and it is highly dependent on the specific medical facts of your case. It would be best to appeal to preserve your rights.
I have a current claim with my former company, the company was self insured, I worked in a sheet metal fabrication facility for 9 years, 10 hour days, 20 feet from a sheet metal stamping machine, that was extremely loud. I always wore my foam ear plugs, and sometimes ear muffs over the top of them. I was let go from my company after I requested the SIF-2 form twice. It took 3 more requests on separate occasions, and the company finally gave me the form about a year ago. The insurance underwriter for the company finally agreed to give me hearing aids, but no financial compensation.
I’m living in xxx [state removed] now. I went to get my hearing checked and the Dr. said I need hearing aids.
Do I file here in this state? We will being moving to another state in June.
If your condition developed while you were working in Washington State then you should file in Washington State, regardless of where you are now.
I was an over the road truck driver injured my back in 2013 and was also diagnosed with menieres disease. they never filed for hearing loss through Washington state. recently I went for another hearing test and the audiology Dr explained that I have 2 types of hearing loss, sensory and menieres. it’s been 9 years is there a chance that I may be compensated due to the fact that no paper work was filed for hearing loss, though throughout the last 9 years it’s been documented as menieres?
It is difficult to say how L&I will handle your claim but you should see a doctor (Otolaryngologist) and file a claim. If L&I rejects the claim, you’ll want to consult with an attorney.
Good Morning
I was born and lived in Washington State ..back in the early part of the 2010 ish I was awarded a claim for top of the line hearing aids..
unfortunately they got wet..
So fast forward to my second pairI0 years later…I have no idea where they are in our home, or if they were thrown out accidentally..
since then a couple of years ago, my hearing is a challenge around a room full of people..normally I hear fine in our home, although I’m more than happy to use closed captioning to support my hearing loss..
For example, yellowstone, 1923, shows will not get awards for sound quality,,pretty sad a blockbuster has poor sound quality in terms of crisp words..American Idol, AGT, no problem, old movies no problem..
of course the language on those shows are a disgrace to say the least..
Better language, better, wider, viewership isn’t that the goal…duh…well anyway does Washington state allow a 3rd pair for me, I now live in Montana..
Gary
Hi Gary. I believe you should be able to receive another pair. Reach out to your L&I claim manager and work with them on it.
I spent 45 years in the construction equipment industry in Washington State. Retired in June 2023 and moved to Idaho a month later. Audiologist said I’ve got severe sensorineural hearing loss. Said that I should check to see if it would be covered by L&I since I spent a lot of time around large equipment. I don’t know how that goes since I now reside in a different state than where I worked.
It is okay that you moved. You should have your hearing provider file a Washington State claim for you. Usually there are providers in Idaho who know how to file Washington State claims. If they don’t know how to do it then ask them to find out or look for another provider that knows how to do it.