Workers’ compensation protects employees from injuries or diseases that are work-related, but some injuries may be less apparant than others. Hearing loss and eyesight damage can have a lasting impact on your life, even if you “look” fine on the outside.
Extensive tests and meetings with specialists may be necessary to identify how much:
- Eyesight loss you’re experiencing
- Hearing loss you’re experiencing
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports over 20,000 eye injuries occur in the workplace every year. Even if your outlook is good and a full recovery is likely, you can claim workers’ compensation benefits if you miss seven or more days of work.
If the injuries are permanent, you may even receive disability payments.
Hearing loss is complicated because it’s not always easy to understand the extent of a worker’s hearing loss. GA Code § 34-9-264 states that if the loss was an average of 25 decibels or fewer than four frequencies, you are not considered to have a compensable hearing disability.
We’re proud to have handled 10,000+ workers’ compensation cases for workers across Georgia and in Atlanta.
Call us at (404) 521-2667 to schedule a consultation.
How Do Hearing/Eyesight Injuries Happen at Work?
Hearing and eyesight loss can happen for many reasons, from running a jackhammer without proper ear protection to being hit in the eye by a falling object. Injuries that can lead to hearing or eyesight loss are:
Common Hearing Injuries at Work
- Accidents that result in head injuries can cause hearing loss, such as being hit with machinery and suffering from extensive head injuries.
- Exposure to loud noises, such as an explosion or long-term exposure, such as having to use a jackhammer daily without the proper safety equipment to protect your hearing.
Long-term exposure to loud sounds can be complex when filing a claim because you need to prove that the hearing loss occurred due to the exposure and not something else. You might not even know when you started experiencing hearing loss at work.
Common Eye Injuries at Work
- Foreign objects striking or penetrating the eye. When objects like staples, nails, splintered wood, shards of glass, oil or grease penetrate or strike the eye, it can cause vision loss or eye damage.
- Blunt force trauma. A blow to the eye can injure the bone surrounding the eye, cause bleeding inside of the eye or even cause retinal detachment.
- Exposure to chemicals. Industrial cleaning products and chemicals can damage the eyes.
Your eyes are sensitive, and while injuries may heal over time or only lead to partial vision loss, some can cause full vision loss, too. If you miss time from work, must seek treatment from eye specialists and potentially undergo surgery, all of these costs can be absorbed by workers’ compensation.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
If you suffer a hearing or vision injury at work, workers’ compensation will help cover the cost of your care and provide other benefits.
Specifically, workers’ compensation covers the following:
- Medical expenses. Workers’ comp will pay for all reasonable and necessary medical care related to your injury, including hospital stays, surgery, doctor visits, medications and more.
- Disability benefits. If your injury leads to permanent impairment that impacts your ability to work, you may be eligible for disability benefits.
- Lost wages. If you miss work due to your injury, workers’ comp will provide partial wage replacement.
- Work training. If you are unable to return to your job because of your injury, workers’ compensation may help pay for job retraining.
- Death benefits. If a workplace accident is fatal, worker’s comp insurance will provide a death benefit to the surviving family to cover funeral costs, lost income and other compensation.
What Steps Should I Take If I Suffer Hearing/Vision Loss at Work?
If you suffer a hearing or eyesight injury at work, whether due to an accident or occupational-related, it’s important to:
- Alert your employer of your injury or condition. Georgia workers have 30 days to report their injury or accident to their employers, or they risk losing their benefits. It’s in your best interest to report your injury as soon as possible, so there’s no confusion about whether or not you were injured at work. If you make your initial report verbally, be sure to follow up with a written report.
- Fill out the paperwork provided by your employer. Once you report your injury, your employer will provide you with paperwork to fill out. Make sure that you fill it out completely.
- Seek medical attention from an approved provider. Your employer will provide you with a list of approved physicians, typically six. Choose a provider from their list, and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Consult with a workers’ compensation attorney. Filing a workers’ compensation claim may seem like a straightforward process, but issues can arise that complicate things. The insurance company may try to deny or minimize your claim. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you protect your rights and understand your options.
Once your injury has been reported, the insurance company will have time to investigate your claim and decide whether to approve or deny it. Hiring a lawyer early on in the process will ensure that you’re prepared for whatever decision the insurance company makes.
If your claim is denied, your attorney can help you navigate the appeals process.
How We Can Help With Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Hearing/vision loss injuries can greatly impact your life. Workers’ compensation can help cover the cost of your medical care, rehabilitation and lost wages, but insurance companies are often more interested in protecting their bottom lines than helping injured workers.
You need an experienced lawyer on your side to protect your rights and advocate for your interests.
At The Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson, we fight for injured workers across Georgia every day. We have recovered more than $250 million for clients and handled more than 10,000 workers’ compensation cases.
If you have suffered a hearing or vision injury at work, contact us online or call us to schedule a free consultation.
