Depending on your job and responsibilities, the risk of getting injured can be very high. In sectors like construction, injuries occur frequently. In an office setting, not as much, but they still occur. Today, we are discussing those who suffer eye injuries at the workplace in Connecticut, and what you should know about these injuries.

An eye injury can be incapacitating, and some injuries have the potential to cause severe damage to the eye or even blindness. Chemical exposure, debris, or traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be causes of irreparable eye damage or worse. When serious eye injuries occur, you may wonder about your legal options. We will go over this in the article below.

Outside of immediate medical care, we strongly advise you to call a CT workers compensation attorney to discuss your case. Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law is one of the leading personal injury law firms in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. Our attorneys can assist you and help you recover damages.

Workplace Eye Injuries

There are 2,000 workplace accidents that result in eye injuries every day, according to the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH). More than 100 of these injuries required workers to miss at least one day of work, while 1/3 were treated in the emergency room.

When there is a risk to a worker's eyes, one must wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as goggles, face shields, safety glasses, or full face respirators. The type and degree of the hazard, the usage of additional protective gear, and the exposure all play a role in the selection of eye protection for the specific work environment.

Connecticut Workplace Eye Injury Stats

• From 2003 to 2008, work-related eye injuries and illnesses accounted for over 10% of all reports of work-related illnesses and injuries received by CT DPH.
• From 2003 to 2008, more than 12% of all eye injuries were burns.
• Men account for about 65% of occupational eye injuries, despite making up only around half of Connecticut's workforce.
• Of all reported eye injuries, over 79% came from the manufacturing, trade, education, health care, and public administration sectors. In 2008, these sectors were just 56% of Connecticut's labor force.

Workers Comp Benefits For An Eye Injury In Connecticut

For a worker who has suffered an eye injury, it's important that they understand what benefits are available to them. There are a number of benefits available to injured workers through the workers compensation system in Connecticut:

Medical care

Obtaining quality medical care should be a priority for any injured worker, and workers' compensation offers these benefits. Selecting a healthcare provider will depend on your employer's insurance coverage.

Temporary total disability

Should a work-related illness or injury render you totally disabled and unable to work until you heal, this benefit replaces 75% of your income. Your average weekly wage, after social security and taxes, is the basis for the benefit.

Temporary partial disability

This benefit covers 75% of the gap between your current income and your income if you were not injured, if your capacity to work is limited while you recover. Your wages are used to calculate this rate after social security and taxes are deducted.

Permanent partial disability

Based on your prior base compensation and a doctor's evaluation of your disability, you may be entitled to compensation if you experience a permanent partial loss of function to your body as a result of an injury or illness at the workplace.

Recurrence and relapse

You may qualify for benefits if you experience an eligible illness or injury and then relapse.

Discretionary benefits

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may qualify for additional benefits through an informal hearing with a Worker's Compensation Commissioner if you suffer from a permanent partial impairment.

Vocational rehabilitation

You may be able to utilize job training benefits to assist you in getting back into the workforce if you are unable to perform the same type of work you were doing before your work-related illness or injury.

Permanent total disability

Even after you've reached "maximum medical improvement" (MMI) — which means you have recovered and will not likely to improve further with treatment — you may be eligible to receive benefits at the same level as temporary total disability if the illness or injury has rendered you unable to perform any kind of work. These benefits, which include yearly cost-of-living adjustments, will continue for as long as you are completely disabled — possibly for the rest of your life.

Although they are covered by Connecticut Workers' Compensation, these benefits are not guaranteed. You must report and provide proof of your injuries or ailments accurately. Consulting with an experienced workers' compensation lawyer is very beneficial.

Consult With A CT Workers Comp Lawyer For Help

Suffering an eye injury can be scary and may have a big impact on your life moving forward. If this has occurred, it is extremely important that you are compensated accordingly, but sometimes, this can be a challenge.

Working with a skilled workers comp attorney who is versed in the laws of Connecticut is highly recommended. Our team of lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law have the experience and resources to help you win.

Please contact us immediately to discuss your legal options and find out how we can help.