RAF Deafness Claims

What is the criteria for making a claim?

If you were in the Royal Air Force and have been experiencing hearing loss, tinnitus, or both, then you may be eligible for a claim. It’s important to note that you don’t have to be completely deaf to make a claim; if you are experiencing a constant and unpleasant buzzing or ringing sound (tinnitus), this can also be considered as part of your claim. You do not need to have served in the RAF for a certain period of time either.

You can also claim if:

• You are still serving or have previously served
• Any part of your service was after 1987 (when Crown Immunity was in place)
• You have made a successful claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or the War Pension Scheme before
• You were denied payment by the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or the War Pension Scheme

The legal argument

According to the law, if you are exposed to sounds at or above 85dB, you should wear hearing protection. This applies to all military personnel, including those in the Royal Air Force.

The Ministry of Defence has a duty of care to protect its employees from any risks of hearing loss/damage. This includes the use of gun and artillery fire, mortars, explosions, pyrotechnics and aircraft noise. It also includes vehicle engine noise. This is according to the Control of Noise at Work Regulations Act 2005 and the Noise at Work Regulations 1989.

The MoD should also recognise that hearing damage can be caused by service personnel not wearing adequate ear protection when dealing with these types of sounds.

What evidence is needed?

To claim for deafness or hearing loss whilst serving or training in the RAF, you will need to be examined by a medical professional to assess the extent of the damage to your hearing. Even if your hearing loss has been gradual rather than sudden, it may still be possible to make a claim.

If you struggle to hear properly in crowded rooms, or if you have to ask people to repeat themselves a lot, get in touch with us as soon as possible. You can also ask friends and family if they’ve noticed your hearing loss. Anything that could support your claim will help!

How much compensation could I get?

The amount of compensation you are eligible for will depend on the specifics of your case, namely how severe your hearing loss is. Your solicitor will negotiate your claim with the party responsible for your hearing loss, in this case, the regiment you served in. At Claims Bible, we will ensure you get the maximum amount possible. As well as hearing loss, we can seek compensation for any mental trauma or treatment/rehabilitation you required after serving or training in the RAF.

How long do deafness claims take?

Deafness claims are complex and can take some time to process, but we will keep in contact with you every step of the way. There are some factors which could slow the process down, including:

The severity of your hearing loss
How long it took for you to realise and report your hearing loss
Whether you have made any previous hearing loss claims
If other medical conditions are affecting your hearing loss

The claim process

There are a few steps to our claim process:

1. Consultation

We’ll invite you to an initial consultation so one of our specialist personal injury solicitors can learn more about your case. During this meeting, we will discuss your options and the process for making a deafness claim for the RAF. We will also provide you with an estimate of how much compensation you could receive if you decide to pursue your claim.

2. Examination

The process for deafness claims for RAF personnel is similar to any other personal injury claim. Your examination will be assessed by a medical professional who will fill out an assessment form. This form will be sent to your personal injury solicitor, who will also look at the medical evidence and assess whether there is a valid case for deafness or hearing loss. They will also consider the impact it has on your day-to-day life.

3. Notification

If you decide to put the claim forward, the third party will be notified by your solicitor. Your solicitor will submit the claim along with any details regarding your hearing loss and deafness such as any evidence you provided that was backed up by a medical professional’s opinion. The third party is required by law to notify you of their decision.

What will it cost to put forward a claim?

If you claim with us, there are no upfront fees. Your solicitor will work on a no-win no fee basis, which means that if your claim isn’t successful, you won’t pay anything. If it is successful, you’ll pay them legal costs of around 25%. No surprise fees mean that your solicitor will always be upfront with you about the costs of your case and how much they’ll charge if you win.

What happens if I don’t win?

We have no win no fee basis. This means you don’t pay any fees if we can’t negotiate any compensation. You don’t have to worry about paying anything upfront. No risk, no catch!