Vision Loss

Few injuries are as life-altering as those that cause vision loss. People, who lose their ability to see, often suffer not only mental and physical anguish but also experience a reduced quality of life and a substantial loss in income. People, grappling with vision, may be unsure of their options to remedy their harm as well. We know financial compensation, alone, cannot make up for sudden vision loss. However, people, who suffer total or partial blindness because of their job, may be able to recover significant workers’ compensation benefits. If you, or someone you love, suffered work-related vision loss, then it is essential to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. Valerie Crown of The Law Firm of Valerie J. Crown, Attorney at Law, P.C., is an experienced Rockland County workers’ compensation attorney with the knowledge and experience needed to help you protect your interests, and if you hire her, she will advocate aggressively on your behalf. Ms. Crown frequently represents people in workers’ compensation claims in Rockland, Orange, Westchester, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties and in the greater metropolitan area.

Numerous factors in the workplace can lead to vision loss. For example, debris, like glass, splinters, and metal shards, may fly into an employee’s eyes, causing injuries and impairing their vision. Such harm commonly occurs at construction sites, assembly lines, and in industrial occupations. People can also suffer vision loss due to head injuries. In other words, blows to the head, that lead to vision loss, may arise out of falls, car accidents, and falling objects. Toxic chemicals, contacting the eyes and extended exposure to U.V. rays or other dangerous lights and thermal burns, can cause eye injuries as well. Eye injuries can cause blindness, reduced field of vision, and double or blurred vision, making it difficult or impossible for a person to return to work.

People, who suffer a work-related loss of vision, may be eligible to recover medical and income benefits. Medical benefits cover all necessary treatment for the injury, such as hospitalization, surgery, prescriptions, and prosthetic devices like a glass eye.

Employees, who are unable to work due to work-related vision loss, may be entitled to temporary total disability benefits as well. These benefits are calculated based on the employee's weekly wage and are paid until the treating physician determines that the employee has reached maximum medical improvement or has returned to work. In cases where the employee remains disabled after the temporary disability period ends, he/she may be eligible for permanent disability benefits, either partial or total. New York law defines job-related injuries, that cause permanent functional impairment of body parts, as scheduled losses. People, who suffer such losses, may receive an award of benefits based on the body part harmed. For example, the law dictates that an employee may receive benefits up to 160 weeks depending on the percentage of loss of use of vision of an eye.

The total benefit amount, an employee receives, depends on the percentage of loss of function they are deemed to have. For instance, an employee, who suffers a total loss of vision in one eye, will receive 2/3 of their weekly wages at the time of the injury, subject to the state minimum or maximum, for 160 weeks.

Vision loss can cause lasting physical, mental, and economic harm, but people, who lose the ability to see due to work conditions, may be able to recover benefits. If you sustained an eye injury at work that resulted in vision loss, it is crucial to talk to an attorney about your rights and eligibility for workers' compensation benefits. Valerie Crown of The Law Firm of Valerie J. Crown, Attorney at Law, P.C., is a skilled Rockland County lawyer, who takes pride in helping victims, of workplace accidents, seek benefits for their losses. If you hire Valerie, she will gather the evidence needed to help you pursue the best legal outcome available under the facts of your case. Ms. Crown’s office is located in New York, and she frequently represents people in workers’ compensation in Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties and in the greater metropolitan area. You can reach Valerie via the form online or by calling 845-708-5900 (office number) or 845-598-8253 (Valerie’s direct cellphone 24/7).