Our eyesight is an amazing and important gift. But it is also very fragile and as such, we must always be aware of any hazards that could cause eye injuries. There are many work environments that are rife with potential threats to one’s vision.
For example, on construction sites, there can be all manner of debris such as wood chips, chunks of concrete, nails and metal slivers that are flung into the air by tools and could pierce or otherwise damage a worker’s eyeball. Other work areas contain dangerous chemicals that can cause serious burns, especially to the eyes. Even those who work in hospitals and labs risk exposure to infectious diseases that could be spread through the eyes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, every day in the United States around 2,000 workers suffer eye injuries that require medical attention. Around a third of those injuries result in trips to the emergency room. Some of these injuries cause their victims to miss a day or more of work. And in worse case scenarios, workers actually lose some or all of their eyesight.
Your ability to see is likely directly connected with your capacity to do your job and it is certainly related to your ability to live your life without special accommodations. Because eye injuries can produce serious long-term issues, the workers’ compensation program offers extra benefits to those who suffer the loss of their vision.
If you are dealing with the effects of an eye injury, a New York City workers’ compensation attorney may be able to help you get the maximum benefits to which you are entitled. By accounting for the full scope of your injury, the attorney can file a claim requesting compensation aimed at satisfying your personal needs.
