A stray piece of metal, a splash of harsh chemicals or a bright welding flash can become a life-altering event. If you have suffered these types of injuries at work, knowing what your legal options are to seek compensation can help your future case.
Holding third parties liable for your eye injury
Michigan law allows workers to file claims against parties other than their direct employer. This means a general contractor, a subcontractor, a property owner or an equipment vendor could be responsible if their actions played a role in your injury.
To successfully establish a third-party liability claim, you must demonstrate that the entity owed you a duty of care, breached that obligation and that this breach proximately caused your eye injury.
These cases stand apart from other benefits you may already be seeking. They often open the door to greater recovery, especially when vision loss or long-term damage limits your ability to work.
Pursuing damages for defective equipment
Not every eye injury stems from human error. Sometimes, the fault lies with a flawed product. If your safety goggles cracked on impact, a face shield failed to meet its specifications or a power tool broke apart and sent shards toward your eyes, the manufacturer or seller might be liable.
Under product liability laws, manufacturers, sellers and vendors can all face legal action when a defective item causes harm. Claims in this area tend to fall into three groups: design flaws, defects during the manufacturing process and a lack of proper safety warnings.
You generally must prove that the manufacturer or seller failed to exercise reasonable care or that the product was not reasonably safe for its intended use, as the state relies on negligence and warranty principles rather than strict liability.
Recognizing the MIOSHA violations that might help you
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) sets clear standards for job sites across the state. When the following violations occur, they can serve as evidence that the job site was unsafe:
- Not providing workers with proper eye or face protection as required
- Not posting adequate warning signs or offering training about chemical and light hazards on site
- Not installing or maintaining eyewash stations in areas with known hazards
A MIOSHA citation does not guarantee a successful claim, but documented violations can serve as compelling evidence that a responsible party failed in their duty of care.
Protecting your rights to compensation
Michigan law generally gives you a three-year deadline to file a personal injury claim, beginning from the date of the injury. This also applies to product liability if defective equipment caused your harm.
If you miss the chance to file your case within this timeline, you will be prevented from recovering damages. Legal counsel can help you meet this deadline by evaluating the full scope of the incident and identifying the liable parties, whether that is a general contractor, a property owner or an equipment manufacturer.
