Suffered An Eye Injury On A Construction Site? Here’s What To Do
Eye injuries are shockingly common on construction sites. Data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) shows that the rate of eye injuries in the construction industry is much higher compared to any other industry. Every year, more than 10,000 construction-related eye injuries are reported across the country. Data shows that eye injuries are particularly common among construction laborers, welders, carpenters, electricians, pipefitters, and plumbers.
Types of Construction Related Eye Injuries
The different types of eye injuries you could sustain on a construction site in New York include:
- Injuries caused by dirt, dust, sand, airborne particles resulting from grinding, sanding, sawing, drilling, and woodworking
- Injuries caused by blunt force or penetrative trauma to the eyes due to accidental contact with sharp-edged tools and pieces of equipment
- Injuries caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, fumes, gases, and corrosive substances
- Injuries caused by exposure to extreme levels of heat
- Injuries caused by exposure to ultraviolet and infrared radiation
The complications resulting from an eye injury can range from inflammation of the iris to corneal scratch, corneal flash burn, chemical burn, optic neuritis, damage to the tear ducts, damage to the lens, detached retina, ruptured globe, bleeding between the cornea and the iris, and orbital bone fracture. Depending on the severity of the injury, you might suffer partial or total loss of vision.
Common Causes of Construction Site Eye Injuries
Lack of personal protective equipment is the single biggest reason why eye injuries are so common on construction sites in New York. Research shows that protective eyewear like goggles, eye guards, face shields, full-face respirators, and welding helmets can prevent up to 90% of critical eye injuries.
Unfortunately, many employers fail to provide their workers with protective eyewear—unnecessarily exposing workers to the aforementioned hazards.
Lack of proper training is also one of the reasons why many construction workers are vulnerable to eye injuries. These workers are not aware of the potential eye hazards on their site, do not know how to protect themselves, or what to do in case of an accident.
Many employers also fail to take simple yet effective safety measures like setting up tarps and barriers to prevent the spread of airborne particles and not allowing untrained workers and bystanders near potentially hazardous areas on the construction site.
What to Do If You Have Suffered an Eye Injury?
- Do not rub your eyes, as it can worsen your injury and damage your eyes even further.
- Call for medical help right away.
- Stay away from direct sunlight and other powerful artificial sources of light.
- Report your injury to your employer as soon as you can.
- Contact a New York construction site accident lawyer. Your lawyer can tell you whether you are only entitled to workers’ compensation benefits or if you can sue any third party for your injury.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
- Stay away from social media until your claim is settled.
Suffered an Eye Injury on a Construction Site? Our Dedicated New York Construction Accident Lawyers are Ready to Fight for You
Eye injuries can severely restrict your earning potential and affect your quality of life. You need a skilled and resourceful personal injury lawyer to recover all the compensatory benefits you might be entitled to.
Attorney Michael S. Lamonsoff has fought for the rights of injured construction workers and their families for decades and has recovered some of the largest settlements and jury awards for his clients over the years. He has put together a team of top-rated lawyers with impeccable credentials and over 100 years of combined experience.
Our legal team is ready to fight on your behalf and get you the workers’ compensation benefits – as well as monetary damages from third-parties if applicable – you are entitled to. Call our firm today at 212-962-1020 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with an award-winning New York construction accident attorney.