Most of us need sight to be able to do our jobs. Thus, should an accident at work cause an eye injury, we stand to lose out. We might qualify for a workers' compensation claim as a result. If you are a business owner, think about how to protect employees from these risks. Employees also need to understand when they can and cannot make a workers' comp claim. Let's look at these two ideas a little more closely.
Why Eye Safety Risks Exist
Our eyes are extremely sensitive. Nevertheless, they can face injury risks very easily. Not only that, even in seemingly simple accidents, the damage might prove very severe. Think about where eye safety risks might exist in any business.
- Puncture wounds from foreign objects might result from many hazards.
- Blunt force trauma might also result from simple accidents, like falls or collisions.
- Chemicals could invade the eyes and cause damage.
- Radiation exposure exists in certain industries and settings.
Every business environment presents eye risks. However, some operations might prove riskier than others. It's up to the individual employer to provide safety resources that are right for employees.
- Most workplaces have to follow OSHA guidelines. These often include certain industry regulations for eye safety. Check your particular rules to see how they apply to your business.
- If you have to provide eye protection for your employees, do so expediently. Such items might include protective eye wear, eye washes and more.
Qualifying for Workers' Compensation After an Eye Injury
If you sustain an eye injury on the job, you might be able to file a workers' comp claim as recourse. An employer's policy might help you recover from the injury and get help if the damage proves severe. If you can no longer work because of sight damage, you might even qualify for long-term protection.
Let's say that you fall in your office and hit your face on a door frame. Besides pain and suffering, you might have considerable eye damage. As you recover, you might not be able to work. You also might need medical intervention. Because the accident occurred while you were working, you might be able to file for workers' comp. Your employer's policy funds can supplement your income during your recovery.
Keep in mind, not all workers' comp will cover all eye injuries. For example, exposure to certain light, like that of your computer screen, might cause eye injury over the years. Though you might think this exposure is the cause of your injury, it is often extremely hard to prove. As a result, simply saying that your work computer caused an eye injury is usually not enough to make a claim
Employers and employees can work together to settle eye injuries with workers' compensation. While it might prove tricky at times, successful claims often prove very beneficial. To learn more about how Workers Compensation can help your business, please contact the experts at The Louisiana Insurance Center.