Damage to the eyes, which can result in some degree of vision loss or perhaps total blindness, is one of the many risks associated with working in the maritime industry. Maritime eye injuries are especially concerning for mariners who may not have immediate access to adequate medical care.
If you suffered from a maritime injury and sustained blindness, you maybe eligible for compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. An eye injury might be mild, but it can also be significant, resulting in lasting damage to the eyes like total blindness.
Damage to the eye can occur as a result of a variety of injuries or accidents. Trauma to the eye, such as a blunt blow to the lens, cornea, eyelid, iris, and even the back of the eye, as well as the retina and optic nerve, can all be injured. The orbital bone, which surrounds the eye socket, can also be fractured by a direct hit during cargo operations or line handling.
The eyelid and several eyeball parts, including the tear duct, may be lacerated if struck with a sharp object on deck. Being stabbed with or landing on a sharp or thin object can cause a puncture wound to the eye. When an eye injury happens, it is critical to notify your employer. A worker should, at the very least, report a maritime injury to their immediate supervisor.
There are many possible risks in the maritime industry that might cause eye injuries and damage. Infections in the eye can result in soreness, irritation, discomfort, and itching. Chemical spills, pollutants in the air, fire or steam can all cause blindness.
Debris in the eyes, such as metal, dust, metal, or other items, are common causes of maritime eye injuries. Accidents that result in strikes to the eye can lead to cuts, bruising, corneal injury, and even perforation wounds in and around the eyes, which can range from moderate to extreme. Fishing lines and hooks can snag on eyelids or become lodged in the eyes, causing significant injury, and may result in blindness. Equipment parts may strike a worker in the face, causing eye injuries. Mishandled chemical cargo, as well as steam from pipelines and boilers, can cause severe eye damage.
Eye injuries can occur in a wide variety of maritime work environments, but some are more dangerous than others. Eye injuries are widespread at shipyards as a result of accidents and human error. Workers operating on ships are at risk of eye injuries and vision loss due to ultraviolet radiation from welding and cutting instruments. The job that these people do can cause eye injury and blindness, but even those who aren't using welding instruments can be injured by what's going on around them.
Contacting a maritime lawyer is an important step during your recovery and claims handling preparations. Consult an offshore injury attorney at Mariner Law, PLLC before accepting any money from your company or signing any settlement papers. There are rules in place to safeguard your interests, so make sure you have experience on your side. Your eye injury could be permanent, and you may need to maximize your money damage to safeguard the future.
A maritime injury should not be treated lightly; in some cases, it might mean the difference between life and death, as well as proper compensation for workers or their families. Insurance companies can be merciless in their pursuit of the employer's best interests. It's critical to hire an offshore injury lawyer who will fight for your rights from start to finish to assist you in getting what you need now and in the future. This is where Mariner Law, PLLC can help.
You may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act, Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, or maritime law as the result of work-related accident, including vision-related injuries. Mariner Law, PLLC understands the devastating and life-altering consequences of vision impairment or blindness. Every year, more than 2.4 million people in the United States suffer from severe eye injuries. Commercial fishermen and maritime workers are at a high risk of eye injury due to the hazardous nature of their jobs. Don't hesitate to get in touch with Mariner Law, PLLC if you or someone you care about has suffered an eye injury while at sea.
Whether from chemical exposure, equipment failure, or crewmember negligence, losing your sight can mean losing your livelihood. Don’t delay, call a Jones Act lawyer at (253) 600-2531 now. Mariner Law, PLLC has experience handling eye injury and blindness claims by mariners. Admiralty attorney Adam Deitz can help you fight for the compensation you need. The firm proudly serves mariner clients in Washington, Oregon, New York, Connecticut, Alaska, and nationwide.