Eye Injuries Caused by Work Accidents

Vision loss or impairment is a scary prospect, as it can threaten your livelihood and quality of life. At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we’ve seen the devastating repercussions of eye injuries caused by on-the-job accidents. Our vision loss workers’ compensation attorneys in Seaford, Wilmington, and Newark fight for clients throughout Delaware, helping to obtain the compensation needed to cope and secure proper medical treatment. Contact our firm if you’ve been hurt.

A staggering 2,000 people suffer work-related eye injuries every day, according to the CDC. Although OSHA has specific rules and standards that help to protect workers’ eyes, not all of their regulations are followed, and even the most cautious employees can be hurt in unsafe work environments.

Top on-the-job dangers for eyes

Employees working on construction sites, in factories, and in chemical plants or labs are at the highest risk for serious eye injuries. Flying, falling, or windblown objects can penetrate or puncture the eye, and industrial chemicals and cleaning products can burn the eyes. Objects that strike the eyes may be large or small. Tiny particles can wreak havoc on an eyeball, as can the impact of blunt-force trauma.

Common objects that pose risks to the eyes include:

• Dust
• Cleaning products
• Tools
• Nails or screws
• Staples
• Wood chips or slivers
• Metal pieces, chips, or slivers
• Cement chips
• Chemicals
• Fire

While certain injuries are temporary, others cause permanent disability.

Different types of eye injuries at work

Eye injuries can vary significantly depending on what caused them. Here are a few of the most common types of eye injuries that Delaware workers may experience:

• Corneal abrasions. A scratch or cut on the eye’s surface is usually caused by a small particle or debris.
• Chemical burns. These can happen when a chemical substance comes into contact with the eye. Depending on the chemical’s composition, it can result in anything from mild irritation to severe burns.
• Foreign objects. Sometimes, particles or small objects get lodged in the eye, which may require medical removal and can lead to infections.
• Orbital fractures. This type of injury affects the bones surrounding the eye, usually from a heavy impact or blunt force trauma.
• Detachment of the retina. Blunt force trauma can cause the retina to detach, which requires emergency surgery and, if untreated, can result in permanent blindness.
• Vision loss. Some injuries lead to temporary or permanent vision loss, which can profoundly affect your daily life and ability to work.

Each type of injury brings different challenges, both in terms of medical treatment and in proving the injury’s severity for a workers’ compensation claim. For this reason, it’s essential to seek both medical attention and legal guidance as soon as possible if an eye injury occurs on the job.

What to do if you’ve suffered an eye injury at work

You’ll probably know right away if you’ve suffered an eye injury. You may immediately experience:

• Vision loss
• Vision impairment
• Cut or torn eyelid
• Severe pain
• Bleeding
• Decreased movement in the eye
• Unusual pupil size or shape

Tell your supervisor immediately, or have a co-worker notify your boss if you’re unable to do so. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Make sure your supervisor knows you were involved in a work-related accident. You should be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.

Workers’ compensation benefits for eye injuries

If you’ve suffered an eye injury at work, workers’ compensation can cover a variety of costs and benefits, including:

• Medical expenses. Workers’ compensation usually covers all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to the injury, such as emergency care, surgeries, doctor visits, prescriptions, and medical devices like eye patches or prosthetic lenses.
• Lost wages. If your injury prevents you from working for more than a certain amount of time (often a few days), workers’ comp will usually provide a portion of your lost wages. This is typically around two-thirds of your average weekly earnings.
• Permanent partial disability (PPD). If the eye injury leads to lasting damage or partial loss of vision, you may be eligible for additional compensation. Delaware, like many states, has a schedule of benefits that assigns a certain number of weeks’ pay based on the severity of the injury.
• Permanent total disability (PTD). If your eye injury leaves you unable to work in any capacity, you may qualify for permanent total disability benefits. This type of benefit provides longer-term wage replacement.
• Vocational rehabilitation. For workers who can’t return to their previous jobs due to vision loss or impairment, vocational rehabilitation services can help retrain you for a different line of work.

How our Delaware vision loss workers’ compensation lawyers can help

The experienced workers’ comp attorneys at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman understand how to navigate the system, gather important evidence, and fight for your rightful benefits. Here’s how our attorneys can assist with an eye injury claim:

• Assessing the full extent of your injury. Your attorney can consult with medical professionals to ensure the injury’s full impact is documented. This includes any potential long-term effects that might not be obvious right away.
• Handling denials and appeals. If your claim is denied or the insurance company tries to pay less than you’re entitled to, an attorney can appeal on your behalf, representing you in hearings if necessary.
• Negotiating fair compensation. In some cases, it may be possible to settle your claim. Your attorney can negotiate to make sure you’re getting a fair amount, especially if the injury has lasting effects on your ability to work or impacts your quality of life.

If you feel your workers’ comp claim has been unfairly denied or delayed, or if payments stopped too soon, give Silverman, McDonald & Friedman a call or fill out our contact form. Our Delaware workers’ compensation attorneys provide free initial consultations in our Wilmington, Newark, and Seaford offices. We stand up for the rights of injured workers just like you.