One of the most serious injuries you may encounter at work is an eye injury. While workers’ compensation laws in Illinois afford you some protection if you get injured on the job, it’s important to know how to prevent workplace eye injuries in the first place.
How do eye injuries occur in the workplace?
There are many ways workers might suffer eye injuries on the job, but one of the most common is when a foreign object, such as a piece of metal or wood, gets into the eye. It’s common in construction work, but could happen to workers in any industry.
Additionally, if you work with chemicals, you’re at risk of getting them in your eyes. Some could cause serious burns, blindness or irritation and pain if they come into contact with your eyes or skin. Another possible work-related eye injury may happen to those who use power tools or work with lasers if they’re not using the proper safety equipment.
How can workers’ compensation help?
If you suffer an eye injury on the job, workers’ compensation may help by covering the cost of your medical treatment. In some cases, it might also provide benefits for lost wages if your injury prevents you from working. To get workers’ comp, you’ll typically need to show that your injury happened as a result of your job. However, there are some stipulations. For example, if you were injured because you weren’t wearing the proper safety equipment, workers’ comp may not cover your injuries.
Note that workers’ compensation may not be the only type of compensation available to you. If your eye injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover additional damages.
While workers’ compensation can help if you get hurt on the job, it’s better to prevent an injury in the first place. The best way to prevent workplace eye injuries is to wear the proper eye and face safety equipment regardless of the industry you’re in. Doing so may help prevent injuries and additional problems that could have been prevented.
