Nobody likes the thought of one of their senses diminishing. When it comes to sight, your eyes are incredibly delicate. Not only can an eye-injury be inconvenient, it can cause long-lasting damage that affects your ability to work.
October is eye-injury prevention month, a campaign that is observed globally in order to raise awareness of common eye injuries so that they might be better avoided.
In 2021, self-reports from the UK government’s Labour Force Survey stated that the figure for workplace eye injuries was at 4,410 for the year. This includes workers involved in accidents that resulted in them losing sight in one or both eyes. In the US, over 2000 people injure their eyes at work every day. Of these injuries, 10-20% will result in temporary or permanent loss of vision.
If you’ve suffered an eye injury at work, you may be entitled to make a claim, and require assistance from an eye injury compensation lawyer.
Common Causes of Eye Injuries
Eye injuries can occur in a range of settings, across a variety of industries. The most common injuries come as a result of foreign objects coming into contact with the eye. Tradespeople can get dust particles, wood, stone, sand, and glass in their eyes. Mechanics risk metal, oil, or hazardous chemicals or liquids reaching their eyes.
Further causes of eye injury can occur from trauma caused by sharp or weighty objects. Sports players often suffer these types of injuries, from balls or equipment striking the eye.
An often overlooked cause of eye injury is prolonged exposure to direct, bright lights. Since the human eye is a sense organ that reacts to light to allow vision, consideration should be taken around strong light, such as lasers or even harsh sunlight for extended periods.
Avoiding Workplace Eye Injuries
One of the main objectives of eye-injury prevention month is to equip people with the knowledge to avoid and prevent these injuries. More than 90% of workplace eye injuries are preventable with basic precautionary measures.
With comprehensive health and safety briefings, proper procedures, and PPE (personal protective equipment), the risk of eye injuries can be minimised.
When at work, your employer is responsible for your safety and wellbeing. As such, they should provide you with preventative measures like protective goggles or headgear. A stringent first aid procedure should also be in place, to treat injuries quickly and effectively.
These are steps that can be taken to prevent injuries. However, if you have suffered an eye injury and were not briefed properly or provided with PPE, you could use an eye-injury compensation lawyer to help you win a claim.
Steps After Eye Injuries at Work
The first thing you should do if you suffer an eye injury at work is seek medical attention. Whilst a trained first-aider will be able to initially treat an injury, further help usually needs to be sought. Gently applying a cold compress can help reduce soreness and swelling. It’s important never to rub or put pressure on an injured eye. Go to the nearest hospital’s Emergency Department, where you can be properly assessed and receive further treatment if required.
It’s important to log your injury with your employer. Accidents happen all the time, but that doesn’t always mean that someone isn’t liable or responsible. Keeping a record of the incident will help further down the line if you do wish to make a claim. You could be entitled to make a claim if the accident was the fault of your employer, often due to negligence.
A claim can cover any incurred losses, which can come in a number of forms. You could experience loss of earnings if you are unable to work as a result of your eye injury. Compensation might cover any medical costs you face getting your injury treated. Or, you might feel you are entitled to compensation because of the pain and discomfort you have endured since injuring your eye at work.
JMR Can Help
If you decide to make a claim against your employer, it’s best to seek professional advice from legal specialists. Understandably, not everyone knows what the next steps are regarding personal injury claims.
That’s where JMR solicitors are on hand to help. We are an award-winning law firm based in Manchester, and can provide you with an eye injury compensation lawyer to guide you through the process in a way that best suits you.
Get in touch with JMR Solicitors if you need to take forward a personal injury case related to any eye injuries.