ACCIDENT AT WORK - CALL CENTRE
As well as facing the same risks that office workers generally do, call centre workers in Scotland have the additional risks of acoustic shock and other work-related hearing issues.
Acoustic shock is a condition which, although very widely reported, is not fully understood. The term is used in connection with exposure to a short, high intensity, often high frequency noise via a telephone headset. It can result in short-term and long term physiological damage (resulting in pain and in tinnitus – ringing, roaring or buzzing in the ears) and there are reported incidents of psychological damage being suffered too.
Although efforts have been made in recent years to combat the problem by improving the technology used in call centres in Scotland, evidence suggests that instances of acoustic shock are still occurring on a regular basis and the number of compensation claims for acoustic shock is rising constantly. Improved noise limiters on call centre headsets have helped but research is ongoing to determine whether damage is being done to the hearing of Scottish call centre workers at levels of noise exposure below the current standard.
The employers of call centre workers in Scotland owe the same general and statutory duties to their employees as other employers. If you are a call centre worker in Scotland, a breach of any of those duties by your employer which results in you having an accident or otherwise suffering personal injuries, may entitle you to compensation.
Similarly, members of the public who are injured as a result of Scottish call centre accidents may also be entitled to compensation. The occupiers’ liability rules apply to call centre in Scotland in the same way as they apply to accidents in other places.
If you’re unsure whether you may have a valid compensation claim for acoustic shock or another type of personal injury caused by a Scottish call centre accident whilst you were working or visiting there, call us now on 08448 700 800 to discuss how we can help or simply fill in the CALL ME box and we’ll ring you. Alternatively, you can start your claim immediately by answering a few simple questions on the CLAIM NOW page and we’ll do the rest.
Remember – If you’ve been injured in an accident in Scotland, your claim is best dealt with by Scottish specialists and you won’t pay a penny for our help, whatever happens.