Split Court Denies PPD to Firefighter With Hearing Loss

A divided Louisiana appellate court upheld a denial of permanent partial disability benefits to a longtime firefighter for his cumulative work-related hearing loss. Case: Hankel v. Jefferson Parish Fire Department, No. 19-CA-613, 09/22/2020, published. Facts: Glenn Hankel worked for the Jefferson Parish Fire Department from 1986 until 2017. He was allegedly exposed to noises loud enough to cause a permanent partial loss of his hearing in both ears. Hankel had yearly examinations of his hearing from approximately 2004 through 2018. The tests indicated an accelerating cumulative deterior...