Workers’ Compensation for Vision Loss in Ohio
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Cincinnati Workers’ Comp Attorney for Vision Loss Claims
If you are injured in the workplace, whether that’s a slip and fall, shoulder injury, repetitive motion injury, or even vision loss, filing a workers’ compensation claim can help the injured worker cover expenses for medical bills and receive compensation for lost wages. However, workplace injury victims aren’t always guaranteed the amount of compensation they deserve to cover their necessary expenses. That’s where a workers’ compensation attorney comes in.
By hiring an experienced Ohio workers’ compensation attorney like Mark L. Newman, you can increase your chances of receiving maximum compensation and the appropriate workers’ compensation benefits to help you recover from your workplace injury. With over 30 years of experience handling Cincinnati workers’ comp claims, Attorney at Law Mark L. Newman knows what it takes to fight for injured Ohio workers’ legal right to fair compensation. To schedule a consultation with our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys and learn more about your claim, call (513) 533-2009 or contact us online today.
Read on to learn more about specific claims regarding vision loss below.
Causes of Vision Loss in the Workplace
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 3.4 million Americans at or above 40 years of age are blind or visually impaired. Meanwhile, up to 21 million Americans experience “vision problems” and up to 80 million have blinding eye diseases.
There are a number of things that can contribute to vision loss. Things like muscular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, blocked blood vessels, strokes, and diabetes are some of the more common age and health-related causes of loss of vision. Eye infections, chemical burns, and traumatic eye injuries (i.e., objects penetrating the eye) are some of the more common among work-related accidents. Let’s take a closer look at these below.
Physical Trauma
Impact from objects, such as flying debris, tools, or particles, can lead to injuries like corneal abrasions, contusions, or more severe trauma. For example, objects striking workers in the eye when using equipment such as saws or other power tools can potentially lead to temporary or permanent vision loss and result in a work injury claim.
Chemical Exposure
Contact with harmful chemicals, either through splashes, vapors, or residues, can cause eye injuries and vision loss. This is particularly common in industries such as manufacturing, cleaning, and laboratory work.
Infectious Diseases
In workplaces where there is a high risk of infection, such as healthcare facilities, workers may be exposed to infectious diseases that can affect the eyes and lead to vision loss if not properly managed.
Exposure to Bright Light or Radiation
Continuous exposure to intense light sources, including ultraviolet (UV) light from welding, lasers, or direct sunlight, can damage the eyes. This category includes photokeratitis and various forms of radiation-induced cataracts.
Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)
Prolonged use of computers or digital devices can also lead to eye strain, dry eyes, blurred vision, and other symptoms of CVS. While these conditions are usually temporary, they can cause significant discomfort and impact productivity.
Ergonomic Strain
Poor workplace ergonomics, including inadequate lighting, improper workstation setup, and prolonged focus on tasks without breaks, can contribute to eye strain and vision problems over time.
Long-Term Strain
Occupations that require intense focus on small details or objects for long periods can lead to long-term vision issues, including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, due to the strain placed on the eyes.
What Types of Workers’ Comp Benefits are Available for Work-Related Vision Loss?
There are different types of workers’ comp benefits that an individual may receive depending on the extent of their injuries. These benefits are intended to help pay for things like medical treatment and lost wages when an employee suffers an on-the-job injury. These include:
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
- Scheduled Loss Award
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Living Maintenance
Under Ohio law, when an injury or occupational disease causes vision loss, injured workers may receive a scheduled loss award. Scheduled loss compensation is reserved for injured workers who suffer an injury that results in the functional loss of a body part. This includes both loss of vision and loss of hearing.
Ohio Revised Code § 4123.57(B)
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) evaluates awards for vision loss in accordance with Section 4123.57(B) of the Revised Code. To qualify for a vision loss award, a minimum of 25% loss in uncorrected vision for each eye is required.
The term “loss of uncorrected vision” refers to the actual percentage of vision lost due to an injury or occupational disease, measured before remedying the situation with glasses, corrective lenses, or corrective surgery. Awards for loss of vision are based on the percentage of vision actually lost when comparing the pre-injury vision to the post-injury vision, prior to any corrective treatment.
For instance, if an injured worker’s eye injury can heal without surgical intervention, the vision award will be assessed after the healing process is complete. On the other hand, if surgery is required, the award is calculated based on the vision prior to any surgical correction and healing.
Ohio Scheduled Loss Award for Vision Loss
The number of weeks payable for a scheduled loss award depends on the extent of the loss suffered. This can be determined by supporting medical evidence that measures theinjred workers pre-injury and post-injury vision acuity. Ohio law allows the awards to be payable for 125 weeks for the percentage of loss of sight for each individual eye. The minimum award is 25% of the statewide average weekly wage and the maximum is 100%.
The maximum amount of compensation you are able to attain through scheduled loss benefits is up to 100% of the statewide average weekly wage, which in 2024 is $1,325.
Ohio Workers’ Compensation Claims for Loss of Vision
If you suffer occupational vision loss, having a skilled attorney on your side can help you better understand scheduled loss benefits and the Ohio workers’ compensation process as a whole. Cincinnati workers’ comp attorney Mark L. Newman can help you obtain compensation and the full range of workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to. Give us a call at (513) 533-2009 or fill out our online intake form to schedule a consultation today.
Talk To A Knowledgeable Ohio Workers’ Compensation Attorney
- Cincinnati Workers’ Comp Lawyer
- What to Do When You Are Injured at Work in Ohio
- Understanding the Workers’ Compensation Process
- Workers’ Comp Settlements
- Full Weekly Wage vs. Average Weekly Wage
- Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
- Types Of Work Injuries
- High-Risk Occupations for Workers’ Comp Injuries
- Work-Related Wrongful Death
- Workers’ Comp Appeals
- Cincinnati Workers’ Comp Lawyer
- What to Do When You Are Injured at Work in Ohio
- Understanding the Workers’ Compensation Process
- Workers’ Comp Settlements
- Full Weekly Wage vs. Average Weekly Wage
- Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
- Types Of Work Injuries
- High-Risk Occupations for Workers’ Comp Injuries
- Work-Related Wrongful Death
- Workers’ Comp Appeals
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