Ulster Police Have Paid Out £135m In Hearing Loss Compensation

Hearing loss is a problem that is commonly associated with industrial employment. The loud and constant noise of machinery, over a prolonged period of time, can cause permanent to the ears and therefore to hearing. However, it has emerged, following a freedom of information request, that Ulster police have paid out a total of £135m in compensation to former officers that claim to have suffered hearing impairment as a result of some part of their job.

Ulster Police is the only force that is routinely armed, and this means regular firearms training for all of their officers. During such training, officers should have adequate ear protection because of the potential damage that the noise can cause. The Armed Forces, and other groups that use firing ranges in their training, receive similar protection, but according to figures acquired by Relatives for Justice, officers do not necessarily enjoy the same level of protection.

It has been well documented, since before 1970, that firing range practice and close proximity to gunfire can lead to serious damage to hearing. Despite this, the Royal Ulster Police did not provide ear protection until the 1990s. Even now, many officers are forced to do without or to suffer having to use inadequate protection especially when waiting for their turn on the range.

Accidents and injuries at work are treated seriously, and as soon as something is recognised as potentially causing damage to workers, a legal precedent is set. In the case of the use of firearms, and their effect on hearing, it was determined in the late 1960s that this could cause damage. This date is known as the date of knowledge, and in most cases, injuries sustained following this date due to a lack of ear protection will lead to successful compensation claims.

According to the figures received, 8,641 former employees have received compensation for loss of hearing and while many were given because of the use of firearms, some officers claimed that they had suffered their hearing loss from the constant use of radios. Approximately £65m of the £135m was from legal costs, and critics have slammed the force’s decision to contest every claim, even those where medical evidence was provided as having inflated the figure.

General PI NewsJan 28th, 20140 comments