Workplace Accident Lawyer Palm Beach
Our eyes and vision are a very delicate and necessary part of our bodies in order to function and perform everyday tasks. A workplace accident lawyer Palm Beach trusts can tell you that our eyes are not a sensory feature that we should be complacent about, especially when on the job.
Many people depend on their eyesight to perform job duties, and while regular vision check ups and protection from the sun are recommended, protecting your eyes at work is crucially important. This is especially so for employees working with heavy machinery. Unfortunately, even after identifying potential hazards, implementing safety procedures, and the proper use of protective equipment, accidents can still happen.
There are approximately 2,000 people in this country who experience some type of work-related eye injury each day. One in 10 of those victims need at least one day off work for recovery. Approximately 20 percent of those injured will experience some level of temporary or permanent vision loss. In total, work-related eye injuries cost about $300 million every year in lost production time, medical expenses, and workers’ compensation.
If you have been injured at work and have suffered an injury to the eye and/or experienced vision loss, it’s important to enlist the help of a workplace accident lawyer in Palm Beach who is experienced in workers compensation law, like The Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt. Insurance companies retain lawyers who vigorously fight to create a tough battle for employees bringing a claim. Having a knowledgeable workplace accident lawyer serving Palm Beach to work fiercely on your side is your best chance to win a case.
Who is at risk?
Most work-related eye injuries are a result of objects striking the eye. Employees who primarily use tools and machinery with moving parts that generate debris are at an increased risk. The following are typical jobs that tend to increase the risk of eye injury- which can be either partial or total vision loss:
- Auto repair workers
- Construction workers
- Contractors
- Farmworkers
- Landscapers
- Miners
- Shipyard workers
- Welders
Heavy machinery used in various industries used to cut, weld, stamp, drill, and chisel materials such as metal, glass, concrete or wood, can produce shards or minute particles and dust that can cause severe lacerations to the eye. Equipment commonly used by many tradespeople such as nails, cutting tools, wire, and staples can inadvertently hit an eye and cause serious abrasions and injury.
Additionally, certain chemical splashes and fumes (chemical burns) can cause eye injuries and impaired vision. Workers that handle acids, solvents, and other corrosive solutions face a high risk of harm to their eyes.
Prolonged exposure to intense UV radiation (thermal burns), such as the flash of a welding arc or workers employed primarily outdoors, are known also to cause tissue damage to the eyes.
Finally, even a slip/trip and fall hazard present in the workplace can also contribute to an employee suffering facial and eye injuries.
Workers Compensation for Eye Injuries
Total loss or compromised vision can impact your ability to drive, work, and perform simple daily tasks. If you have suffered damage to your eyes at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover the associated medical costs. A Palm Beach workplace accident lawyer can help you get the care and compensation you deserve. In addition, depending on the severity of the injury, your convalescence time, and long-term effects of the injury, workers compensation weekly benefits may also be awarded to you.
Difficulties in Receiving Workers’ Compensation
Although the legislation and guidelines regarding workers compensation benefits might seem clear-cut, it can be a very difficult process. The employer’s insurance company can create a very tenuous situation. The workplace accident lawyer Palm Beach workers count on at The Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt have the depth of knowledge and legal expertise to represent you. Call our office today for a free case evaluation.