At Lacey Solicitors, we are proud to announce that Ms Roisin Cassidy has joined our team, bringing with her extensive experience from one of Northern Ireland’s leading industrial disease firms. Roisin has acted on behalf of countless clients across the province who have suffered from noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus as a result of unsafe working conditions.

Her arrival strengthens our position as one of the go-to firms in Northern Ireland for hearing loss compensation claims.

Why Hearing Loss Claims Are So Important in Northern Ireland

For decades, Northern Ireland’s industries – from shipbuilding and engineering to textiles and manufacturing – exposed workers to dangerously high levels of noise. Many were never provided with proper ear protection.

Today, thousands of former employees are living with permanent hearing damage because their employers failed to keep them safe. Noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible, but compensation can help cover the cost of hearing aids, medical treatment, and the daily challenges caused by reduced hearing.

Common Symptoms of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

Many of our clients describe:

• Muffled or distorted sounds
• Difficulty following conversations, especially in noisy places
• Turning the TV or radio up louder than others need
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
• Persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Trouble concentrating or sleeping due to noise in the ears

If you recognise these symptoms and previously worked in a noisy environment, you may be entitled to compensation.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Workers in the following industries are particularly affected by occupational hearing loss in Northern Ireland:

• Shipyard workers
• Factory workers
• Mechanics and engineers
• Construction workers and builders
• Aviation workers
• Military and police personnel
• Transport and haulage workers
• Textile and mill workers

At Lacey Solicitors, we have successfully pursued claims against many of the biggest employers in Northern Ireland, including Harland & Wolff PLC, Bombardier Aerospace, Short Brothers PLC, Rolls Royce, Taylor Wimpey PLC, Metro (NI) Limited, Cape Insulation Limited, Courtaulds PLC, and many more.

How Much Compensation Could You Receive?

The amount of compensation depends on the severity of your hearing loss and whether you also suffer from tinnitus. It is difficult to say exactly how much a claim may be worth however according to the most recent Northern Ireland guidelines:

• Mild hearing loss – up to £20,000
• Moderate hearing loss – £20,000 to £60,000
• Severe hearing loss – £60,000 to £200,000
• Total deafness – £250,000 to £350,000+
• Tinnitus – up to £90,000 depending on severity

Every case is different, and Roisin Cassidy and our team will ensure you receive expert medical evidence to support your claim.

The Hearing Loss Claim Process with Lacey Solicitors

When you contact Lacey Solicitors, we will:

1. Arrange an initial consultation with Ms Roisin Cassidy.
2. Gather your employment records and medical notes.
3. Set up a specialist hearing test to assess your level of hearing loss.
4. Instruct expert ENT specialists to provide medical reports.
5. Pursue your former employers for compensation through negotiation or, if needed, litigation.

Why Choose Lacey Solicitors?

With Roisin Cassidy’s arrival, our clients benefit from the knowledge of a solicitor who has been at the forefront of hearing loss litigation in Northern Ireland.

This experience ensures our clients are represented by a solicitor who knows how to overcome the challenges these claims often face and who has secured results against some of the biggest names in industry in Northern Ireland.

Contact Lacey Solicitors in Belfast today to speak directly with Ms Roisin Cassidy about a potential hearing loss or tinnitus claim. Alternatively use our Online Portal and a solicitor will call you back.  Even if your noisy job was many years ago, you may still have a case.

In May 2025, the County Court in Northern Ireland awarded compensation to a former worker who developed noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) after years of exposure to excessive workplace noise. The case of McDaid v Spanboard Products Limited [2025] NICty 3 is a significant reminder that employees may still be able to claim compensation for hearing damage many years after leaving noisy employment.

The Background

The plaintiff, Mr John McDaid, born in 1954, worked for Spanboard Products Limited between 1987 and 2009. He claimed that prolonged exposure to noisy machinery during his employment caused permanent damage to his hearing.

Although Mr McDaid had worked in other jobs earlier in his career, medical experts agreed that the majority of his hearing problems were caused by his time at Spanboard. The court found that 52.5% of his hearing loss was directly attributable to workplace noise exposure with the defendant.

Medical Evidence

Two ENT specialists gave evidence:

• Mr Ullah FRCS – concluded the hearing loss was moderate and caused by the defendant’s noisy workplace.
• Mr Stewart FRCS – suggested part of the damage was linked to other jobs and initially described the loss as mild.

The judge preferred Mr Ullah’s evidence and applied the World Health Organisation (WHO) grading system, which categorises Mr McDaid’s condition as moderate hearing loss.

Legal Issues in Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Claims Northern Ireland

The defendant raised a limitation defence, arguing that the claim was out of time because the plaintiff had known about his hearing problems for years. However, the judge exercised discretion under the Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 to allow the case to proceed, noting that the delay had not prejudiced the defence.

This confirms that even if hearing loss develops or is diagnosed many years after employment, a claim can still succeed if supported by strong evidence.

The Court’s Decision

Deputy County Court Judge Logue awarded:

• £30,000 in general damages (before deductions)
• Including £1,500 uplift to reflect the plaintiff’s accelerated need for hearing aids (based on updated figures from Atkinson v Chief Constable of the PSNI [2015] NIQB 92)
• After applying deductions, the final award was £14,726.85 plus legal costs

The court accepted that Mr McDaid suffered permanent, moderate hearing loss and that this significantly impacted his daily life.

What This Means for Workers in Northern Ireland

This case reinforces several key points for anyone considering a noise-induced hearing loss compensation claim in Northern Ireland:

• You can claim years after leaving noisy work if your diagnosis is recent.
• Courts recognise both age-related and noise-induced hearing loss, and compensation is adjusted accordingly.
• Expert medical evidence is critical.
• Compensation can include not only hearing loss itself but also the accelerated need for hearing aids.

How Lacey Solicitors Can Help

At Lacey Solicitors in Belfast, we have successfully secured compensation in noise-induced hearing loss claims in Northern Ireland for clients against major employers across Northern Ireland, including Harland & Wolff PLC, Bombardier Aerospace, Short Brothers PLC, Rolls Royce, Taylor Wimpey PLC, Metro (NI) Limited, Babcock Power Limited, Cape Insulation Limited, Courtaulds PLC, and many others.

Call Lacey Solicitors today and speak to Roisin Cassidy who is the Solicitor in charge of Noise-Induced hearing loss claims Northern Ireland or alternatively use our Online Portal and we’ll arrange a call back.

At Lacey Solicitors in Belfast, one of the most common questions we hear is:

“I left a noisy job years ago but I’m only now noticing hearing problems. Can I still make a claim?”

The answer is usually yes. In Northern Ireland, you may still be eligible to claim compensation for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) years—even decades—after you worked in a loud environment.

Understanding Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Claims

Noise-induced hearing loss, often called industrial deafness, is caused by long-term exposure to excessive noise in the workplace. Many of our clients worked for years in shipyards, power stations, or manufacturing plants, only to discover much later in life that their hearing had been permanently damaged.

Hearing loss from noisy jobs does not always appear immediately. It can take years for symptoms to become noticeable, such as:

• Struggling to hear conversations in noisy places
• Frequently turning up the TV or radio
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)

Time Limits for Hearing Loss Claims in Northern Ireland

In most personal injury cases, there is a three-year time limit to bring a claim. But with hearing loss, this three-year period usually starts from the date you first became aware of your hearing problems or when you received a diagnosis, not the date of exposure itself.

This means that even if you worked in noisy jobs 20, 30 or even 40 years ago, you may still be entitled to compensation today.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for NIHL?

Employers in Northern Ireland have a duty to protect their workers from harmful levels of noise. Sadly, many failed to provide proper ear protection or to reduce noise levels in the workplace.

At Lacey Solicitors, we have a strong track record of holding some of Northern Ireland’s largest employers accountable. We have successfully secured compensation for our clients against many employers, including:

• Harland & Wolff PLC
• Short Brothers PLC
• Dufferin Boiler Descaling and Cleaning Co Ltd
• Bombardier Aerospace Limited
• Howden Power UK Limited
• GEA Exchanges
• Lime-Sand Mortar (Southern) Limited
• Hughes Tool Co. Limited
• Rolls Royce
• NEI International Combustion Limited
• Courtaulds PLC
• Taylor Wimpey PLC
• GEC Power Engineering Limited
• RHM Bakeries Limited
• Metro (NI) Limited
• Babcock Power Limited
• Howden Sirocco Limited
• Foyle Erection Services Limited

This list highlights the range of industries where unsafe noise exposure was common—shipbuilding, engineering, aerospace, textiles, manufacturing, and beyond.

What Compensation Could You Receive for a Hearing Loss Claim?

Compensation for hearing loss can cover both general damages (for pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life) and special damages (such as the cost of hearing aids).

The exact amount depends on the severity of your hearing loss and how it affects your daily life. At Lacey Solicitors, our goal is always to secure the maximum compensation available and you can read our previous article to see how compensation for these types of claims are calculated.  

Next Steps if You Worked in a Noisy Job Years Ago

If you suspect your hearing has been damaged by a job you held in the past, you don’t need to suffer in silence. The process usually involves:

1. Speaking to a solicitor – We will review your work history and symptoms to confirm if you have a valid claim.
2. Arranging medical evidence – We organise specialist hearing tests to confirm the extent of your hearing loss.
3. Building your case – We gather employment records, witness statements, and expert reports.
4. Securing compensation – Whether through negotiation or litigation, we fight for your right to fair compensation.

Call Lacey Solicitors today and speak to Roisin Cassidy who is the Solicitor in charge of Hearing Loss claims or alternatively use our Online Portal and we’ll arrange a call back.

At Lacey Solicitors in Belfast, we understand how frightening and frustrating hearing loss can be. From struggling to follow conversations to missing out on the everyday sounds of life, the impact can be huge. If your hearing loss was caused by noisy working conditions, you may be entitled to compensation.

This guide explains everything you need to know about hearing loss claims in Northern Ireland—from the legal process to how much compensation you could receive, and the next steps to take.

An Introduction to Hearing Loss Compensation Claims in Belfast

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) – often called industrial deafness – is sadly common across Northern Ireland. Many of our clients have spent years working in noisy environments such as shipyards, factories, or construction sites, only to later discover lasting damage to their hearing.

If your hearing loss wasn’t your fault, the law may entitle you to bring a claim.

How the Law Treats Hearing Loss Claims in Northern Ireland

The law in Northern Ireland protects people from unnecessary noise exposure:

• Occupational hearing loss (industrial deafness): Employers must comply with the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order and the Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2006) to keep their employees safe.

At Lacey Solicitors, we use these laws to hold negligent employers accountable for the harm caused to our clients.

Is There a Time Limit on Hearing Loss Claims?

In most personal injury cases, there is a three-year time limit to bring a claim. But hearing loss is gradual, this three-year period usually starts from the date you first became aware of your hearing problems or when you received a diagnosis, not the date of exposure itself.

This means that even if you worked in noisy jobs 20, 30 or even 40 years ago, you may still be entitled to compensation today.

That doesn’t mean you should wait. It is always better to get in touch as soon as possible to discuss a potential hearing loss claim.

What Compensation Could You Receive for Hearing Loss?

Every case is different, but compensation generally covers two main areas:

• General damages – for the pain, suffering, and disruption hearing loss has caused in your daily life.
• Special damages – for financial losses, including:
  • The cost of private hearing aids

The amount you could receive depends on how severe your hearing loss is, how it affects your lifestyle, and the quality of the evidence presented. Our role is to fight for the maximum compensation available for our clients.

Eligibility to Bring a Hearing Loss Claim

To succeed with a hearing loss claim in Belfast, our clients need to show:

1. Their hearing loss was caused by the workplace.
2. The employer failed to take reasonable steps to protect them.
3. That negligence directly resulted in hearing loss or tinnitus.

If you meet these conditions, you likely have a valid claim—and we can guide you through the next steps.

Next Steps to Begin a Hearing Loss Compensation Claim

When you contact Lacey Solicitors Belfast, here’s what you can expect:

1. Free initial consultation – We listen to your story and advise whether you have a claim.
2. Evidence gathering – We arrange medical reports and collect records to prove your case.
3. Negotiation or court action – We handle everything with insurers or employers and represent you in court if necessary.

We’ve helped clients across Northern Ireland, including employees of Rolls Royce, Taylor Wimpey PLC, and Metro (NI) Limited, secure the compensation they deserve.

Call Lacey Solicitors today and speak to Roisin Cassidy who is the Solicitor in charge of Hearing Loss claims or alternatively use our Online Portal and we’ll arrange a call back.