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 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 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 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. Imagine, one day you can see perfectly fine—and the next, you’re totally or partially blind. It is a terrifying possibility.
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 right away, or have a co-worker notify your boss if you’re unable. Seek medical attention immediately. Make sure your supervisor knows you were involved in a work-related accident. You should be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
If you feel your workers’ comp claim has been unfairly denied, delayed, or if payments stopped too soon, give Silverman, McDonald & Friedman a call at 302-888-2900 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.
Attorney Jeffrey S. Friedman joined Silverman, McDonald & Friedman in 2001. He graduated from Widener University School of Law, and is admitted to practice law in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and in several Federal Circuit courts. He areas of concentration include auto accident and workers’ compensation cases. Read more about Attorney Friedman here.