Compensation for hearing loss

The case of Baker v Quantum Clothing Group [2011] UKSC 17, concerned the liability of employers in the knitting industry of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire for hearing loss suffered by employees prior to 1 January 1990. The central issue was whether liability existed as common law in negligence and/or under s 29(1) of the Factories Act 1961 towards an employee who suffered noise-induced hearing loss due to exposure to noise levels between 85 and 90dB(A) LEP,d (a worker’s daily noise exposure level). It established that employers only had the duty to prevent noise exposures to noise below 90 dB(A) from 1990.