Gastonia workers’ compensation eye injury settlements can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and disability compensation. Your eligibility for compensation for an eye injury at work depends on the severity of the injury, any permanent disability, and other factors.
You can have a Gastonia workers’ compensation lawyer represent you to claim your workers’ compensation eye injury settlement. Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, is taking new cases now.
How Eye Injuries Commonly Occur on the Job in Gastonia, NC
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that contact with objects or equipment is the leading cause of eye injury that results in missed workdays. Foreign matter in the eye is a factor in 59.6% of workplace eye injuries resulting in missed work. Additionally, 45.6% of eye injuries result from blunt trauma from an object or equipment.
The top causes of eye injuries on the job are:
- Contact with objects and equipment
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments
- Injury by person or animal
- Slip and fall accidents
Construction workers have the highest incidence of eye injury on the job. Eye injuries at work are also common across other industries, including material moving, professional cleaning, pest control, maintenance and repair, production, metal work, and plastic work.
Source: U.S. BLS, Workers suffered 18,510 eye-related injuries and illnesses in 2020.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available for Eye Injuries
The benefits of eye injuries occurring on the job in Gastonia, NC, fall under North Carolina workers’ compensation laws.
Several categories of compensation may be included in workers’ compensation eye injury settlements.
Medical benefits
You may receive medical benefits at no cost. This care includes everything necessary to treat your injury and lessen the period of disability. Your employer has the right to choose your healthcare provider, but you do have the option to challenge opinions about your medical care. A settlement for a workers’ compensation eye injury may include a monetary award that allows you to continue medical care on your own.
Replacement wages
If you’re unable to work, you may claim replacement wages as temporary total disability. Additionally, if you can work in a reduced capacity, you may receive temporary partial disability compensation. The amount you receive depends on your average weekly wages before the injury. Unless you qualify for an exception, there is a maximum number of weeks you may receive benefits.
Disability compensation
If an eye injury leads to the loss of the eye or its function, the injured worker may receive disability compensation. The compensation for the loss of an eye is calculated based on the extent of loss and wages before the injury. However, any loss greater than 85% is considered a complete loss of the eye.
Permanent and total disability compensation
Loss of both eyes is considered a permanent and total disability. An employee who qualifies for permanent total disability may receive lifetime compensation. Even if the individual eventually returns to work, medical benefits may continue.
To receive an award, your injury must occur by accident and arise out of and in the course of your employment. In addition to acute trauma, epitheliomatous cancer or ulceration of the cornea may count as an occupational disease according to N.C.G.S. § 97-2(6), § 97-53(14). You don’t have to prove employer negligence to qualify for an award.
Average Settlement Amounts for Work-Related Eye Injuries
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, eye injuries cost $300 million per year, which includes medical care, wage benefits, and lost economic productivity. The National Safety Council reports an average workers’ compensation cost of $37,638 for facial injuries in 2022-2023; however, this statistic may include injuries that are not specifically related to the eye.
The amount of compensation that you receive in a settlement doesn’t depend on averages, as each case is unique.
In the event of the loss of an eye, Gastonia, NC, workers’ compensation provides benefits for 120 weeks. The award is calculated as 66 2/3% of average weekly earnings before the injury. For example, a person who earned $1,500 per week before injury would qualify to receive two-thirds of that amount, or $1,000 per week, for 120 weeks. That’s $120,000 for the disability portion of the workers’ compensation award. If the loss is partial at 10%, for example, a 10% multiplier is applied to the award, for total disability compensation of $12,000.
It is important to remember that disability is one aspect of an eye injury settlement amount. An attorney can help ensure that your claim is complete.
How Severe Vision Loss Impacts Workers’ Compensation
Severe vision loss can impact a workers’ compensation award in several ways:
- Greater medical care and associated costs
- Inability to work, including claims of permanent total disability and total loss of wage-earning capacity
- Amount of disability compensation
Because severe vision loss claims are typically high-value claims, insurance companies often fight them. It’s essential to build a strong case for your right to compensation.
Steps To Take After a Workplace Eye Injury
If you injured your eye at work, you should seek care immediately. You may go to any healthcare provider for emergency care. Report the accident and injury to your employer in writing as soon as possible.
Document the injury scene with photos, keeping tangible items like clothing and objects involved, and identify witnesses. Follow medical care directives. You may engage a lawyer for workers’ compensation eye injury settlements at any stage of your case.
Appealing a Gastonia Eye Injury Claim Denial
If your Gastonia eye injury claim has been denied, you may ask for reconsideration and take your case to a hearing. There are time limits to pursuing your case. A lawyer can help you evaluate the denial and pursue your rights.
Why Hire a Gastonia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Eye Injuries
An eye injury in the workplace can be life-changing. A Gastonia workers’ compensation lawyer can help you claim the benefits that you need and deserve.
Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, can represent you in all aspects of your claim. Call or message us now.
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