JENKINTOWN PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

You might be surprised to know that that about 1,000 eye injuries occur in American workplaces each day. In fact, workplace accidents account for about half of all injuries to eyes.

Because eye injuries can cause permanent vision loss, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide workers who are at risk of eye injuries with appropriate eye protection. If every worker wore the eye protection needed for his job, 90% of eye injuries could be prevented. So, why are workplace eye injuries so common?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), three out of every five workers injured who sustain on-the-job eye injuries are either not wearing eye protection at the time of their accident or are wearing the wrong type of eye protection for their job. This is often because the worker has not received training in eye hazards or because the proper eye protection is not made available.

Top causes of Pennsylvania workplace eye injuries:

• Small particles, such as sawdust, metal shavings, glass, or dirt, get in the eye
• Contact with chemicals and chemical burns
• Eye is struck by a flying object, such as a falling box
• Injuries from machinery
• Exposure to biological contaminants such as saliva or blood
• Exposure to welding light, lasers, strong ultra violet light, or other hazardous radiation
• Unavailability of eye protection
• Wearing the wrong kind of eye protection

Who is at risk of eye injuries?

Eye injuries can affect anyone.  While they are most common in those who work in construction, manufacturing, and outdoors, office workers and retail workers are also susceptible to eye injuries.

When is an eye injury serious?

It is important that workplace eye injuries are treated immediately. Go to the emergency room immediately if you experience any of the following:

• You are suffering severe pain in one or both eyes
• You are having difficulty seeing
• You have cut or torn your eyelid
• One eye is not moving like the other
• One eye sticks out more than the other
• The eye is unusually shaped
• Your pupils are uneven or irregular
• There is blood in the clear part of your eye
• There is something in your eye or under the eyelid that can’t be easily removed

Remember, waiting to get medical treatment increases the risk of permanent vision loss.

Workers’ compensation can help after an on-the-job eye injury

If a workplace eye injury causes permanent vision loss, you may not be able to return to your job. Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits may be available to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, retraining, and other expenses related to your injury. To learn more about PA workers’ compensation for eye injuries, request a free copy of Your Guide To PA Workers’ Compensation, or contact the Allentown workers’ compensation lawyers at Mednick, Mezyk, and Kredo. Call us at 888-807-WORK to schedule your free consultation.