Court Affirms Award for Worker's Occupational Hearing Loss

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld an award of a 3.48% permanent partial disability for a worker’s hearing loss. Case: Ferris v. Special Metals Inc., No. 25-ICA-292, 04/07/2026, published. Facts: Anthony Ferris worked for Special Metals Inc. from 1995 until 2022. He filed a workers’ compensation claim form, alleging that he suffered occupational hearing loss as a result of his employment at SMI. An audiogram completed by audiologist Barb Danford accompanied the claim.   Dr. B. Joseph Touma reviewed the audiogram and diagnosed bilateral sensorineura...