Coy v. Dover Corp./Norris Division

SIMMS, Justice:

The petitioner is a retired employee of respondent, Dover Corporation. Respondent corporation employed the petitioner for approximately fourteen and one-half years as a steelworker. The petitioner’s job was to operate machinery used in forging sucker rods used in the oil and gas industry.

At least as early as 1975, the petitioner began experiencing hearing loss and was fitted with a hearing aid. At about the same time, the respondent began sponsoring hearing examinations at their place of business and conducting hearing safety seminars. Because the machinery used in its…