Most people will quickly agree that their eyesight is important. Given the choice, the majority of people would rather be deaf than blind. Do you feel the same way?
As a New York workers’ compensation law firm, we have dealt with every kind of workplace injury under the sun, many of which involved eye injuries. Each year, hundreds of thousands of workers sustain eye injuries while on the job, and New York workers are no exception.
Some people may be surprised to learn that eye injuries affect all types of workers. From electricians, to assembly line workers, welders, mechanics, data entry personnel, and assembly line workers – these workers are notorious for having work-related eye injuries though other workers experience them as well.
Common causes of eye injuries in the workplace include:
- Glass particles in the air
- Wood particles in the air
- Toxic chemicals that splash into the eyes, sometimes causing blindness
- Projected metal flakes
- Other tiny projected particles
- Overexposure of UV rays from lasers, sunlight, and sun lamps
- Overexposure to bright computer screens
As individuals and New York workers’ compensation lawyers, we can attest that your eyes and your vision are critically important. If you have sustained an eye injury directly because of your occupation, you have a right to file a workers’ comp claim.
Workers’ compensation benefits can cover medical bills, surgery, medications, out-of-pocket expenses, and a portion of worker’s lost income.
If you happen to work in an industry where you’re exposed to hazardous materials, your employer is required by law to provide you with protective eyewear. So, safety violations are something to keep in mind.
If you sustained a work-related eye injury, you must follow specific rules and procedures to receive benefits. You will need to inform your employer within a certain period of time, and you may be required to see an approved physician and ophthalmologist.
The prognosis for an eye injury depends on the facts of the case. You may be able to return to work in a couple of days or weeks, or you if the injuries are permanent, you may not be able to return to your previous job, or you may not be able to return to any type of job in the future – we sincerely hope that is not the case.
If you sustained a work-related eye injury, contact Katz, Leidman, Freund & Hermanto discuss filing a workers’ compensation claim!
