I received training to use gloves and goggles when using a dangerous chemical at work. One time I couldn’t find my goggles and decided to go ahead and use the chemical anyway. Some splashed into my eye and now I suffer permanent semi-blindness. Do I have a claim?
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Answer by Shamaila Khan, Kingsville 3012 VIC
- Yes. Because you suffered a serious permanent injury you can apply for compensation even though you were acting contrary to your training and instruction.
- Generally an employee that is killed or sustains serious permanent injury is entitled to workers compensation even if:
- the accident is caused by their own wilful and serious misconduct;
- the employee has acted against their employer’s orders; or
- the employee has acted without their employer’s authority.