Few injuries are as painful and frightening as an eye injury, especially when your vision is at risk. Work-related vision loss in St. Louis can occur slowly over time due to industry-related hazards, or it may happen suddenly in an accident. While no legal process or compensation can restore lost vision, a successful St. Louis workers’ compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit can alleviate the financial consequences of the injury and open the door to the best possible medical care.
A St. Louis workers’ compensation and personal injury attorney pursues all available avenues to maximize the compensation for your serious, life-altering loss.
What Causes St. Louis Workplace Vision Loss or Eye Injuries?
Some industries come with inherent risks. For instance, welders and construction workers must wear protective eyewear and take crucial precautions to prevent eye injuries. However, workplace vision loss in St. Louis or elsewhere can occur in nearly any workplace. The most common causes of work-related eye injuries include:
- Welding sparks
- Chemical exposures
- Flying particles, such as sawdust, metal filings, cement chips, or other foreign objects
- Exposure to ultraviolet or infrared radiation
- Steam burns
- Toxic fumes, gases, or vapors
- Penetration injuries
- Infections from dangerous bacterial exposures
- Blunt force trauma to the eyes
- Blue light eye injuries that occur from long-term screen usage at work
According to the American Optometric Association, nearly 2,000 workplace eye injuries occur each year in the United States. An estimated 90% of eye injuries are preventable with proper safety precautions.
Can I Get Workers’ Compensation In Missouri For Vision Loss?
Workers’ compensation in Missouri provides benefits for all workplace injuries that require medical treatment and impact earning ability. Most workers’ comp claims cover medical expenses as long as the injured employee sees a specialist on their employer’s list of preferred providers. Workers’ comp also compensates an injured employee for their lost wages by paying about two-thirds of their standard income or two-thirds of the difference between their normal pay and light-duty pay.
If the vision loss is significant and permanent, workers’ compensation pays for the following disability claims:
- Temporary partial disability
- Temporary total disability
- Permanent partial disability
- Permanent total disability
It is essential to inform your immediate supervisor of any eye injury resulting in vision loss at work. Then, report the injury to your employer through a written form from the Missouri Department of Labor within 30 days of the injury date.
There is a two-year statute of limitations for filing a workers’ compensation claim in Missouri. You should begin the claim process well within that deadline to ensure that your Missouri workers’ compensation attorney has sufficient time to build a strong case.
Can I File a Lawsuit Against My Employer for Workplace Vision Loss In St. Louis?
Workers’ compensation insurance is meant to protect both employees and employers. It protects employees by providing a safety net to prevent financial hardship after a workplace injury, while also protecting employers from lawsuits. However, if the eye injury occurred because of a non-employer’s negligence, such as a contractor’s carelessness, or due to a defective tool or product, your workers’ compensation lawyer can also file a personal injury lawsuit or defective product claim on your behalf.
This type of claim proceeds independently from your workers’ compensation process. A successful Saint Louis personal injury claim for vision loss brings additional compensation for non-economic damages that aren’t available to you from workers’ comp. This includes compensation for your pain, suffering, and catastrophic injury damages for permanent vision loss.