anyone know anything about workman's comp?

[Connonym]

Can you apply for workman's comp for an occupational injury when you're no longer employed at the same company? I had a hearing test and I've lost enough hearing that I'm borderline qualified for a hearing aid. The audiologist said it's the pattern of hearing loss one gets from prolonged noise exposure and the only place I've ever had noise exposure was 10 years at my former job.

[lizziegrace]

1. You can always try

call the local BWC office and file a claim. At worst, they'll deny it and you're out nothing but your time to file.

[grannylib]

2. If you have a record of hearing tests from when you were with that company,

and those test show a shift in threshold level over the time you were employed there, you MAY be able to make a claim even if you are not employed there at this time.

Someone in HR at your current place of employment should be able to answer this for you.

[Connonym]

4. I'm currently self-employed and my HR doesn't know squat ;-)

It's becoming very frustrating to have to ask people to repeat themselves all the time and I've noticed that I'm starting to rely on lip reading to fully understand someone. Hearing aids aren't cheap :(

[grannylib]

5. Do you have any records of tests done when you were employed there?

If you do, and as I mentioned, if those tests indicate that your basic threshold of hearing declined by a certain amount and that decline was judged to be as a result of your work there (in loud conditions or whatever) then you SHOULD be able to make a WC claim even though you are no longer employed there.
I am in HR and we have had similar cases for hearing and other issues that have been successfully claimed even though the person making the claim was no longer with our company; if the injury/incident occurred while the claimant WAS employed with a particular company, there is room for potential claims. Check out your records or see about obtaining copies from your former place of employment. It's good to be able to hear :-)

[Connonym]

6. Thank you

I don't remember if a hearing test was part of my pre-employment physical but I'm going to look into it. Thanks for answering.

[mainegreen]

3. I design workers comp software, yet oddly, no I know very little about WC.

Strange.

[gardenista]

7. Yes, you can.

At least in California.

I carry Worker's Comp for my employees, and the insurance company can actually charge the employer more at the end of the year if the payroll estimates are too low, even if there's never been an injury.

So, as unfair as that sounds, a related outcome is that workers can make a claim after they have left their former employer, but be ready to back up your claim with medical evidence. You may also have to go to a doctor designated by the insurance company or former employer, but do pursue it. Your hearing is a precious thing.

Good luck with your claim.