According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workplace eye injuries contribute to an estimated $300 million annually in workers' compensation, medical expenses, and diminished productivity. Each day, about 2,000 workers in Pennsylvania and nationwide experience eye injuries severe enough to require medical attention.

Eye injuries in the workplace, resulting from fluid splashes, foreign object contact, or exposure to steam or radiation, are notably frequent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that roughly 20,000 eye injuries occur annually in work settings, often leading to one or more days of missed work for recovery. Notably, during the incidents leading to these injuries, only about 40% of affected workers were utilizing eye protection. These injuries vary from mild eye strain to serious traumas that could lead to permanent damage or loss of vision. However, it's estimated that proper eye protection could prevent approximately 90% of these incidents.

While specific steps should be taken following an eye injury at work, each situation is distinct. Seeking advice from a PA workers' compensation attorney at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, can help you understand the appropriate actions to take in your unique case.

OSHA's Guidelines for Eye Safety

A survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics among employees who experienced eye injuries indicated that almost 60% were not wearing protective eyewear at the time of the accident's occurrence. The common rationale was a belief that protection was not needed.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates the use of eye and face protection when there's a significant risk of injury that such gear could mitigate. Protective equipment like goggles, safety glasses, face shields, or full-face respirators is essential when facing potential eye hazards. The specific type of eye protection required varies depending on the hazard type, exposure conditions, the use of other protective gear, and individual vision needs.

What Are the Most Common Types of Workplace Eye Injuries?

At work, common eye injuries include chemical exposure, foreign objects in the eye, and corneal scratches. Injuries also frequently result from fluids splashing into the eyes, burns caused by steam, and damage from exposure to ultraviolet or infrared radiation.

Furthermore, health care professionals, lab technicians, janitorial staff, and other employees might face a higher risk of contracting infectious diseases through eye exposure. Such diseases can be transmitted via the eye's mucous membranes, especially through direct contact with blood splashes, respiratory droplets from coughing, or touching the eyes with contaminated hands or objects.

Eye protection in the workplace is essential under conditions where the following potential eye dangers exist:

• Projectiles: (dust, concrete, metal, wood and other particles)
• Chemicals: (splashes and fumes)
• Radiation: (especially visible light, ultraviolet radiation, heat or infrared radiation, and lasers)
• Bloodborne pathogens: (hepatitis or HIV) from blood and body fluids

Certain work environments may expose employees to a variety of eye hazards. Selecting the appropriate eye protection requires considering all potential risks.

Below is a list of the most common eye injuries, along with guidelines for an appropriate response to each.

1. Incidents with Flying Debris, Metal, or Glass

A significant portion of workplace eye injuries result from flying debris, with 70% involving objects like metal and glass, often smaller than a pinhead, that pose a risk of corneal scratches or gouges.

Response: Immediately evaluate the situation without rubbing your eyes or attempting to remove debris with tools. Seek medical attention directly without attempting to remove the object yourself.

2. Exposure to Flash Burns

Welding and similar activities can lead to flash burns from UV light exposure, causing severe discomfort akin to a sunburn on the eye's surface.

Response: Move away from the source, seek assistance, and apply a cool compress or pain relief as needed, but ultimately, consult a healthcare provider for proper care and recovery monitoring.

3. Encounters with Particles or Foreign Bodies

Objects not meant to be in the eye, ranging from dust to larger particles, often lodge under the eyelid, causing pain and irritation and potentially scratching the cornea.

Response: While minor debris may be blinked out, seek help for removal. Use eyewash stations if available, or gently rinse the eye with saline or clean water to remove the object.

4. Chemical Burns

Chemical burns occur when harmful substances contact the eyes, potentially causing severe damage and necessitating immediate action to prevent long-term effects.

Response: Immediately flush the eyes with water and contact emergency services for guidance based on the specific chemical involved.

5. Sudden Eye Trauma

Direct impact to the eye from equipment or tools can cause significant damage to the eye and surrounding structures.

Response: Protect the eye with a makeshift shield without applying pressure, and seek emergency medical attention without delay.

Important Steps To Take After Suffering an Eye Injury While at Work in PA

What to do if you sustain an eye injury on the job:

• Immediately inform your employer about the accident: Ensure that the incident is recorded in writing or by completing an incident report.
  
  
• Seek medical attention for your injuries immediately: This is particularly important for eye injuries, where prompt treatment can greatly influence the recovery outcome. Your employer is supposed to give you a list of approved healthcare providers under their workers' compensation plan.
  
  
• Follow your doctor's instructions: Failing to do so might lead to a reduction in your benefits or difficulties in acquiring them.
  
  
• Contact a PA workers' compensation lawyer: Given the potential severity of eye injuries, the assistance of a proficient attorney is vital from the beginning to ensure you secure the full benefits you are entitled to.
  

What Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Provided in Pennsylvania?

Though the majority of workers recover from even severe eye injuries, some may suffer permanent blindness. Workers who are totally and permanently disabled due to an injury qualify for workers' compensation benefits.

Benefits for injured workers in Pennsylvania include:

• Wage Loss Compensation: You may be eligible for compensation if you're unable to work due to being fully disabled or if you're partially disabled and earn less than you did before your injury. Typically, this compensation is two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to a maximum cap.
  
  
• Specific Loss Benefits: Should your physician determine that you've lost the use of one eye, you're entitled to receive compensation amounting to two-thirds of your average weekly earnings for a duration of up to 275 weeks (approximately five years). Under Pennsylvania law, the loss of both eyes is typically regarded as a permanent and total disability.
  
  
• Medical Expenses: Workers' compensation covers the cost of necessary medical treatments related to work-related illnesses or injuries. This includes surgical and medical care, hospital services, orthopedic devices, and prescriptions, among other medical services provided by qualified healthcare professionals, including chiropractors.
  

Duration of Disability Benefits in Pennsylvania: Total vs. Partial

In Pennsylvania, the length of time you can receive workers' compensation depends on your injury's nature and severity. While medical benefits are provided for as long as necessary, the duration for collecting lost wage benefits varies depending on the level of your disability.

Total Disability Benefits Status

Workers classified as totally disabled are unable to perform any kind of work. After 104 weeks under this designation, your employer or their insurance company can request a medical review to assess if your work-related injury results in an impairment of 35 percent or more, according to standards set by the American Medical Association. Failing to meet the 35 percent impairment threshold could lead to a reclassification in which your status may be adjusted to partial disability.

Partial Disability Benefits Status

This status is applicable for a maximum period of 500 weeks. It is granted when a certified impairment-rating physician determines that the individual has a disability level of 35 percent or higher during partial disability. This status allows the worker to request a reinstatement to total disability status.

Benefits for partial disability, up to 500 weeks, are designed for those who manage to return to work at a reduced salary due to their work-related injury constraints or for individuals not deemed totally disabled.

Given the complexities involved in determining the amounts and duration of benefits, seeking advice and support from a workers' compensation attorney is recommended for accurate navigation and understanding.

Brandon J. Broderick Is Ready To Assist You Day or Night With Your PA Workers’ Compensation Claim

Experiencing an eye injury at work entitles you to file for benefits, but navigating the claims process and securing those benefits can be challenging. Working with a proficient Pennsylvania workers' compensation attorney who possesses the necessary expertise to effectively handle your case can greatly increase your likelihood of securing the compensation you are rightfully owed.

Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, is dedicated to assisting clients throughout Pennsylvania with their workers' compensation claims. Our decades of experience are at your disposal to help you achieve a favorable outcome in your case.

Contact us today to discuss your legal options. Whether a recent claim was denied or you have suffered an injury, we are here to assist you in moving forward.