When Eye Injuries Happen On-The-Job in Fort Lauderdale: How Florida Workers’ Compensation Helps Cover Long-Term Costs
Eye injuries pose serious hazards to certain types of workers in Fort Lauderdale. A metal fragment, a chemical splash, a burst of high-pressure air, or a stray piece of debris can cause significant damage in an instant, impacting your daily life and ability to work or provide for your family.
Fortunately, Florida workers’ compensation can help cover your costs. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer explains common types of eye injuries that qualify and your rights to benefits for long-term losses.
Eye Injuries at Work That May Qualify for Workers’ Compensation in Fort Lauderdale
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 20,000 workers in the U.S. suffer job-related eye injuries each year. Construction workers, welders, machinists, laboratory workers, and anyone working around chemicals, dust, or high-speed equipment face the greatest risks.
The Florida Statutes require most employers to provide workers’ compensation benefits, which can help offset your medical care and portions of lost income. Common work-related eye injuries in Fort Lauderdale that may qualify:
- Foreign body injuries from metal shavings, wood chips, dust, or debris lodging in the eye during cutting, grinding, or construction work.
- Chemical burns caused by workplace solvents, cleaning agents, acids, or industrial compounds.
- Blunt force trauma from an impact with a tool, equipment, or falling material.
- Flash burns and arc eye injuries sustained by welders and other workers who lack proper eye protection.
- Lacerations to the eye or surrounding tissue from tools, flying materials, or sharp objects.
In addition to covering your current medical care and lost earnings due to work-related eye injuries, Florida workers’ compensation benefits can also pay for any long-term consequences you suffer.
Long-Term Consequences of Work-Related Eye Injuries in Fort Lauderdale
If you are a delivery driver, welder, surgeon, or perform other work that requires clear and precise vision, work-related eye injuries in Fort Lauderdale can be especially devastating. Long-term consequences may include:
- Chronic light sensitivity and difficulty working under artificial lighting conditions.
- Depth perception changes that affect the ability to operate machinery safely, drive commercial vehicles, or work at heights.
- Peripheral vision impairments that impact tracking, reading, and response times.
- Chronic eye pain and fatigue that limits your screen time or the ability to perform detailed or precision-focused tasks.
When these types of impairments occur, benefits available through the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation can help supplement current and future lost earnings and provide vocational rehabilitation.
Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Request a Consultation
When eye injuries happen on the job in Fort Lauderdale, it can impact your ability to work now and in years to come. At the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A., our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer can review what happened, deal with insurers on your behalf, and fight for the maximum amount needed to cover your current and future costs.
To request a consultation at our Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach office, call or contact us online today.
Sources:
aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries-work
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/Sections/0440.13.html