Eye Injuries in the Workplace: What Injured Workers in California Need to Know
Work-related eye injuries can change your life in an instant. Whether it’s a piece of metal flying off a machine, a nail ricocheting off a surface, or a sudden blow during a physical altercation, the eye is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body. California workers’ compensation laws provide strong protections for workers who suffer from vision-related injuries—especially in cases involving force, speed, or permanent damage.
Common Occupations Where Eye Injuries Occur
Eye injuries happen across a wide range of jobs, but they’re particularly common in roles involving:
Construction workers (e.g., struck by nail guns, debris)
Landscapers and tree trimmers (e.g., flying bark, stones, or branches)
Warehouse workers (e.g., shifting pallets, tools, dust exposure)
Mechanics and auto body technicians (e.g., sparks, chemicals, compressed air)
Agricultural workers (e.g., chemicals, plant matter, animal strikes)
These injuries can result from both traumatic accidents and long-term exposure to irritants or chemicals.
Types of Eye Injuries Seen in Work Comp
Work-related eye injuries fall into a few major categories:
Foreign object injuries (e.g., metal shards, wood splinters, glass)
Blunt trauma (e.g., impact from tools, boxes, animal movements)
Chemical burns (e.g., industrial cleaners, pesticides)
Penetrating trauma (e.g., nails, screws, flying debris)
Detached retina or orbital fractures
Loss of vision or blindness (partial or total)
Some eye injuries result in short-term irritation or temporary loss of vision, while others may cause permanent disability. In either case, timely reporting and treatment are critical.
High-Velocity Eye Injuries and Extended TTD Benefits Under Labor Code §4656(c)(3)(F)
California recognizes that certain severe eye injuries require extended recovery. Under Labor Code §4656(c)(3)(F), if your eye injury qualifies as a "high-velocity eye injury", you may be entitled to up to 240 weeks of Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits—well beyond the usual 104-week limit.
What counts as “high velocity”? It depends on the force and speed involved. Courts have considered:
A worker struck in the eye by a nail from a nail gun
A rock propelled at high speed into the eye
A horse rearing its head suddenly, striking a worker in the face
A motor vehicle accident with high-impact facial trauma
These are case-by-case determinations, but generally the injury must involve a sudden, forceful action and not just irritation or strain.
Total Blindness and Labor Code §4662: Presumed Permanent Total Disability
If an injured worker suffers loss of sight in both eyes, California Labor Code §4662(a)(1) provides that this condition is presumed to be a permanent total disability (PTD). This opens the door to lifetime benefits, including:
Ongoing payments for lost earning capacity
Lifelong medical care for eye-related injuries
Vocational retraining, if applicable
The loss does not need to be 100% darkness—significant visual impairment in both eyes that prevents employment may be enough.
Medical Treatment and the Work Comp Process
Once you report an eye injury, the insurance carrier must authorize treatment. This may include:
Immediate referral to an ophthalmologist
Diagnostic imaging (CT, MRI, fluorescein testing)
Surgery (if needed for detached retina, globe rupture, etc.)
Medication for infection or pain
Assistive devices (e.g., glasses, protective eyewear)
Psychological counseling, if the vision loss is traumatic
You may also be sent to a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) to determine the percentage of permanent disability if your vision doesn’t fully recover.
Take Action Early
Because vision injuries can worsen over time—or become complicated by delayed treatment—it’s critical to act fast. Waiting too long to report your symptoms or get the right care can reduce your benefits or limit your options. You don’t need to figure this out alone.
Talk to a Work Injury Attorney Today
At Lee Partners Law: The Work Injury Attorneys, we’ve handled countless vision-related cases, including complex high-velocity injuries and total blindness claims. If your sight was damaged on the job, we’ll make sure your rights are protected and fight for every benefit you’re owed.
For Injured Workers in Every Part of California
Whether you're in Los Angeles, San Diego, Bakersfield, Fresno, or the High Desert—including Victorville, Lancaster, and Palmdale—we’re here to help. Reach out today for a free consultation.
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