Craig D. Rosenbaum | July 1, 2026 | Construction Accidents
Over 20,000 eye injuries occur every year during workplace accidents. These injuries range in severity from minor contusions that cause a black eye to permanent vision loss. The causes of these injuries also vary. Some common causes include falls and blows to the head. However, the leading cause of eye injuries in construction accidents is flying debris.
How Flying Debris Injures Eyes
Construction workers frequently encounter flying objects. Sparks from grinding metal can fly into workers’ eyes. Power tools might kick or throw building materials at their heads. A falling object might hit workers’ faces.
Flying debris can cause three types of construction eye injuries.
Abrasions
Abrasions occur when the debris scratches the surface of the eyeball without penetrating it. This is a very common injury resulting from flying dirt, rocks, sawdust, and metal shards.
The cornea covers the front of the eyeball. A corneal abrasion can result in redness, pain, and watering. The eye may swell, and the worker may have blurred vision. However, in many cases, an eye flush can remove the debris. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent any infections.
Penetrating Injuries
A penetrating injury occurs when an object punctures the eye. It might lacerate the eyelid. However, a more serious injury happens when the debris punctures the eyeball, also called the globe.
If the injury only affects the eyelid, a physician might stitch the laceration closed. The worker might have a permanent scar, but they should not suffer any vision loss.
A ruptured globe, on the other hand, is a serious injury. A doctor may need to remove any debris left in the eye and close any laceration in the globe. Even after surgery, the worker may suffer permanent vision loss. This is particularly true if the injury damages the back of the globe, where the retina and optic nerve sit.
Blunt Injuries
Blunt injuries occur when the object strikes the eye without piercing it.
A blunt impact can damage the eye in many ways, including:
- Bruises
- Lacerations
- Fractured orbitals
- Ruptured globes
- Corneal abrasions
Treatment for a blunt injury depends on the structures damaged. For example, a broken eye socket might require reconstructive surgery to rebuild the socket. Even after surgery, the worker’s face may be permanently disfigured.
Effectiveness Of Eye Protection
Eye protection is effective in preventing or reducing the severity of up to 90% of eye injuries at work. Eye protection usually includes safety glasses. For workers who work around vaporized chemicals like paint or spray insulation, splash goggles can help prevent these substances from burning the eyes.
Compensation For Workplace Eye Injuries
Compensation for workplace injuries in New York usually comes from the employer’s workers’ compensation insurer. Workers’ compensation covers the cost of necessary medical care and part of the injured worker’s income losses. If the worker suffers a permanent disability, the insurer may pay a settlement to cover the benefits that would accrue over the worker’s lifetime.
Although workers’ compensation partially covers the essentials, it may leave the worker with unreimbursed losses. If any party other than the worker’s employer or co-workers is responsible for the eye injury, the worker might have a third-party personal injury lawsuit.
For example, suppose a power tool lacked any eye protection against sparks. An injured worker might have a product liability case against the manufacturer.
Contact Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers For A Free Consultation With A New York City Construction Accident Lawyer
For more information, please contact Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We have three convenient locations around Manhattan, NY, near you in New York City, The Bronx, and Brooklyn.
Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
100 Wall St 24th Floor, New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007
Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers – Bronx Office
1578 Williamsbridge Rd suite 3b, Bronx, NY 10461
(212) 514-5007
(917) 905-2339
Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
32 Court St #704, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(212) 514-5007
(917) 920-7332