New Orleans Eye Injury & Loss of Vision Lawyer
Vision is perhaps the most important of the five senses, particularly when it comes to making a living. Vision impaired workers have a much harder time earning a paycheck than those with full sight. If you were injured at work and suffered an eye or vision injury, you have the right to seek compensation from your employer, and the New Orleans eye injury lawyer at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC can help you throughout every step of the workers’ compensation process.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Pay For?
If you suffered an eye injury or loss of vision on the job, you are entitled to workers’ compensation, which all Louisiana employers are obligated to carry. Workers’ compensation pays for partial wage compensation while you are out of work due to disability, vocational training or education, and medical care. In terms of medical expenses workers’ comp covers for eye injuries and vision loss, eye surgery, prescription glasses, and prosthetics are included.
Workers’ Compensation for Loss of Vision
If a worker loses an eye, they are entitled to 100 weeks of wage compensation. If they lose both eyes in a workplace accident, they are entitled to lifetime disability wage compensation from their employer. Wage replacement is based on two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wages, capped at $743 per week.
However, these benefits described above are based on the full anatomical loss or use of the eye/eyes. An employee who loses only part of their vision or part of the function of an eye would unfortunately be entitled to less. For example, if you lost 50 percent of the vision in your left eye, you would only receive 50 weeks (50 percent) of wage replacement benefits. Compensation for the loss or function of eyesight is based on the percentage of the function that the worker loses. As such, it is important to work with an attorney who will protect your best interests by gathering the evidence necessary to prove the severity of your eyesight loss so that your employer does not try to make your injuries seem less severe than they truly are.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
If your injury was caused by a third party, or your employer violated workplace safety standards or otherwise acted recklessly, you may be able to file a personal injury claim with that party. A personal injury settlement or lawsuit award would pay for medical care, full lost wages and lost earning ability, pain and suffering, loss of joy of life, scarring and disfigurement, emotional distress, and more.
Contact a New Orleans Eye Injury & Loss of Vision Lawyer
Workers who suffer eye injuries or vision loss have the right to compensation, regardless of fault, through Louisiana’s workers’ compensation system. Furthermore, if another party’s careless or reckless actions caused your injury, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against them for the damages that have been imposed on you and your family. We encourage you to seek out legal assistance by calling Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC at 601-488-3975. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced New Orleans eye injury and loss of vision lawyer.
