Workers’ Compensation for Welding Eye Injuries
Thousands of workers suffer eye injuries each year. The profession of welding is one of those most often associated with eye injuries. Welders’ skill is essential to a number of sectors, ranging from automotive repair to construction. But welders deal with high temperatures, intense ultraviolet (UV) light, hazardous projectiles, and poisonous chemicals, all of which put their eyes at risk of injury on a daily basis.
Welders’ Eye Injury Statistics
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), about 10% of workers who sustain eye injuries that need medical care may miss a day or more of work. And welders are more susceptible to eye injuries than workers in any other trade. Indeed, welding and grinding account for more than half of all reported workplace eye injuries.
Welding Workplace Injuries
Injuries on the job are frequent in welding. Welders face a variety of workplace safety risks, including high temperatures that may result in burns, as well as exposure to hazardous gases generated during the welding process. Most welding eye injuries are caused by exposure to intense UV radiation, chemicals, or flying debris. Welders have reported the following eye injuries:
If eye protection fails or is inadequate, tiny particles or large bits of dislodged metal may enter the welder’s eye. These flying metal pieces may also result in lacerations, fractures, and puncture wounds.
Even tiny metal particles may cause significant discomfort and damage, such as a scratched cornea. Small shards of metal may damage the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye that protects it.
The intense UV light produced by welding flames may induce a particular kind of eye damage called a flash burn, which affects the cornea of the eye. Inflammation, discomfort, impaired vision, bloodshot or watery eyes, and light sensitivity are all signs of flash burn.
Welding may also generate hazardous gases that might cause eye irritation or chemical burns. Welders who maintain oil rigs or other metal equipment in need of repair are among the most likely to come into contact with hazardous substances that cause eye injury.
Further, radiation produced during a welding operation may impact the welder and/or coworkers who are up to 50 feet away. UV radiation inside the line of sight may cause harm to the eyes, even when just reflected off glossy objects.
Workers’ Compensation for Welding Eye Injuries
When a welder has an eye injury on the job, he or she is eligible to receive compensation under their employer’s Workers’ Compensation policy. These benefits often include medical expenses and treatments associated with the injury, as well as lost earnings and disability compensation, whether temporary or permanent.
To be eligible for workers compensation benefits, the only requirement is that the injury must have happened on (or due to) the job. There is no need to establish that the employer was irresponsible in any manner.
Welders are entitled to temporary workers’ compensation disability payments until they are able to return to work (or their injury has stabilized), usually not longer than 24 months. Welders qualify for permanent disability payments if they are unable to work due to their job-related injury or illness and further medical treatment is not likely to improve the condition over the next year.
Workers Compensation Attorneys for Welding Injuries
If you are a welder who suffered an eye injury, or were otherwise injured or made ill on the job, our experienced workers comp attorneys are here to help you. Your consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney is 100% confidential, and neither your employer or your insurance company will be notified that you requested a consultation with us.
Our attorneys will help you understand your rights and work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the maximum workers’ compensation benefits for which you qualify.