Eye Injury at Work Compensation Claims

Eye Injury at Work Compensation

Your eyes are an extremely sensitive and fragile organ. Sight is arguably the primary way we perceive the world around us which is why eye injuries have such far-reaching implications.

The consequences of these injuries are not just the pain and suffering from the injury itself. Life may never be the same again for you or your loved ones.

You may find yourself with increased expenses including

• private medical bills
• alterations to your home
• enlisting the services of a carer
• counselling
• other out-of-pocket expenses such as travel.

Losing or damaging your sight in an accident at work can be an isolating and overwhelming experience, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Our specialist lawyers can not only secure the maximum amount of compensation you require, but also help you access the right treatment and services to help you move on and enjoy life again.

Naturally, no amount of money will help with the pain you’ve suffered but it can put you in a better position financially so you can access the best treatment and personal care to help with your rehabilitation.

Your compensation award is intended to assist with:

• Taking care of any medical bills including treatment, rehabilitation, and counselling.
• Buying specialist equipment needed to help with your injuries.
• Adapting your home to make it easier for you to live independently.
• Protecting you against loss of earnings now and into the future.
• Covering expenses such as travel to and from hospital appointments.

If you would like to know how much you could potentially receive, please find more information on our eye injury compensation guide.

How your claim will be assessed

If you want to make a compensation claim for an eye injury you suffered at work, then get in touch for a free initial chat about the circumstances in which your injury occurred.

We will assess all the details about your case, including where the accident took place, who was involved, and whether there were any witnesses. We can then prepare a more effective representation of your case. We will need to understand how your injury affects you day-to-day, regardless of whether the impact is short or long-term.

We can let you know based on this information whether or not you have a valid claim.

You must start proceedings within three years of the date of the accident, although there are some exceptions.

We’ll be able to advise you on the likelihood of a successful outcome, give you an idea of how much you could be entitled to, and talk you through the next steps.

What can cause an eye injury at work?

In the workplace, certain environments hold more hazards such as workshops, factory floors, and laboratories.

Accidents can occur when the employer has neglected to implement adequate safety measures such as:

• Failure to provide the correct goggles, safety glasses, and face shields
• Lack of adequate training
• Defective machinery
• Improper storage of dangerous chemicals.

Accidents in the workplace which can cause an eye injury include:

• Sparks from a welder landing in the eye when wearing a welding mask that was not fit for purpose.
• A chemical splash when mixing chemicals without sufficient training. Chemical burns can be caused by substances that are alkali, acidic, or irritant.
• A heavy object hitting you in the face, resulting in a fracture to the eye socket.
• Faulty machinery that results in an object flying out and striking your eye or the eyelid.

No matter what kind of accident occurred, you may be able to claim compensation for your injury if that accident could have been avoided.

Common types of eye injuries at work

Chemical burn

Many industries use chemicals on a daily basis which means that chemical eye injuries are some of the most common work-related eye injuries.

The most dangerous of these are alkali burns as they can penetrate the surface of the eyeball and cause permanent damage.

Acids are marginally less dangerous. Although acids generally don’t penetrate the eyeball, they still have the potential to cause blindness.

Irritants are the least dangerous and include household detergents and pepper spray. The effects tend to be temporary, although they can still have a serious impact on health.

Impact from flying objects

The eye is a very fragile organ and a great deal of damage can be done due to foreign objects such as hot sparks from a welder or pieces of metal landing in the eye.

Effects of an eye injury at work

An eye injury at work can affect any part of the eye including the lens, retina, cornea, pupil, eyelid, or eye socket.

The effects of serious eye injuries caused by an accident at work range from temporary impaired vision to full blindness.

If you’ve experienced an eye injury at work you may suffer:

• Loss of sight
• Visual impairment
• Blindness
• Loss of an eye
• Corneal damage
• Eyesight deterioration
• Retinal detachment

Your rights at work

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 makes it clear that the employer is responsible for providing a safe environment and has a duty of care to all employees.

Your employer is responsible for taking preventative measures against any potential accidents. This includes carrying out a thorough risk assessment. They must inform employees of the associated risks and they must provide adequate training so all work can be carried out as safely as possible.

Eye injuries often occur in the workplace due to a lack of adequate health and safety practices. This equals negligence on the part of the employer and if you sustained an eye injury at work in these circumstances you may be entitled to compensation.