2nd Finds Hearing Loss Compensable, Creating Split among Circuits

The Louisiana 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal ruled that gradual hearing loss caused by years of workplace exposure is compensable as an occupational disease under the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Act, despite decisions to the contrary by two other appellate courts in the state. The 2nd Circuit last Wednesday reversed a trial court decision awarding $50,000 in damages to each of six former employees of a manufacturing plant who filed tort claims against their employer, alleging their hearing had been damaged from years of workplace exposure. Attorney Jimmy M. Dimos of Monroe, one of several...