Apex Workers’ Compensation Eye Injury Settlements

Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, help injured workers receive workers’ compensation in eye injury settlements. If you have experienced an eye injury at work, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact our Apex workers’ compensation lawyers to discuss your case and receive help now.

Eye Injuries on the Job in Apex, NC

Employers and occupations in Apex, NC, are diverse and include health systems, public schools, technology, financial services, retail, and automotive sectors.

More than 20,000 people suffer an eye injury on the job each year in the United States.
Workers’ compensation, medical care, and lost income for on-the-job eye injuries cost the U.S. economy about $300 million per year.
When an eye injury occurs on the job, the injured person may be eligible for workers’ compensation.
You may qualify for medical care, replacement income, disability compensation, and other benefits.

North Carolina workers’ compensation laws have special rules that apply to eye injuries. These rules can help workers obtain the benefits that they need and deserve.

You may have a lawyer for your workers’ compensation eye injury settlement. We encourage you to contact us to discuss your case.

Common Workplace Causes of Eye Injuries in Apex, NC

Common causes of eye injuries in the workplace include:

Falling objects, projectiles, explosions
Loose fragments like staples, glass, or fragments
Use of tools and equipment to cut and shape objects
Machinery malfunction or misuse
Poor handling of chemicals
Lack of personal protective equipment
Radiation from lasers, welding arcs
Motor vehicle accidents
Infections, exposure to pathogens

Eye injuries can have underlying causes, such as poor safety planning, inadequate lighting, inappropriate workspaces, improper supervision, and a lack of equipment. Proving that the employer is at fault is not required to receive a workers’ compensation eye injury settlement.

Types of Eye Injuries Eligible for Workers’ Compensation

Eye injuries eligible for workers’ compensation fall into three categories:

Mechanical

A mechanical eye injury is direct trauma, whether it is an object striking the eye, an object lodged in the eye, or something that cuts the eye. Injuries may include abrasions, bruises, and penetrating injuries. Eyelids, tear ducts, nearby blood vessels, and nerves can also sustain damage.

Chemical

Corrosive substances that contact the eye can cause damage. Irritants, alkaline substances, and acidic substances can harm the cornea, iris, and lens. Permanent injury, including scars or blindness, may occur.

Radiation

Radiation exposure can occur across many occupations, including on industrial sites and when working with radioactive materials. Radiation exposure can result in corneal abrasions, cataracts, retinal damage, and damage to the optic nerve.

Open and closed globe injuries

An eye injury may be open or closed. An open globe injury means the eye wall is penetrated or ruptured. A closed globe injury involves damaged internal structures with the eye wall intact. Open and closed globe eye traumas can be an emergency and cause significant, lasting injury.

How NC Calculates Eye Injury Settlement Amounts

An eye injury settlement calculation depends on several factors:

If and how long you miss work
The ability to return to work, which may include vocational rehabilitation
Your income before the injury
The medical care that you need, including surgery and other procedures
Permanent impairment, including whether you qualify as permanently and totally disabled

In Apex, NC, a settlement is a voluntary agreement between the injured person and the insurance company. Obtaining the settlement you deserve requires knowing what your case is worth and what’s important to you in a settlement. An experienced lawyer for eye injuries at work can represent you, negotiate, and finalize your settlement.

Vision Loss and Permanent Impairment Considerations

Eye injuries can be especially devastating. North Carolina workers’ compensation laws recognize the possibility of severe injury. There are important considerations to help injured workers receive the help they need.

Generally, impairment compensation is awarded as a percentage of the total loss of function for the body part affected. For the eyes, impairment of 85% or more is considered a complete loss of the eye (N.C.G.S. § 97-31(19)). An individual who suffers loss of both eyes may qualify to receive permanent and total disability compensation. Even if they are eventually able to return to work, medical benefits may continue (N.C.G.S. § 97-29(d)).

Workers’ compensation is typically awarded for accidents arising out of and in the course of employment (N.C.G.S. § 97-2(6)). But epitheliomatous cancer or ulceration of the cornea may qualify as an occupational disease (N.C.G.S. § 97-53(14).

What To Do After a Work-Related Eye Injury

If you suffer a work-related eye injury, follow protocol for first aid, which depends on the type of injury. For example, a chemical burn may require thorough flushing followed by emergency care. For an emergency, you may go to the nearest appropriate medical facility without prior employer approval. After that, you will receive medical care through your workers’ compensation claim from the care provider chosen by your employer.

Address your immediate health and safety first. Report the injury to your supervisor, in writing, as soon as you can. You must report the injury within 30 days. Take photos of the location where the injury occurred and take photos of your injuries. Identify witnesses and others who may have information.

An attorney for Apex eye injury workers’ compensation claims can evaluate your case and provide legal advice.

Why Eye Injury Claims Are Often Disputed

Eye injury claims are often disputed because they are high-value cases. Eye injuries can be especially devastating and may require complex medical intervention. An injury may prevent someone from working or severely limit employment. Insurance companies may dispute eye injury claims in an attempt to limit their payments. You can have a lawyer represent you to ensure you obtain what you deserve.