Eye Injury & Sight Loss Claims Solicitors.

There are a variety of different eye injuries someone could experience, some of the most common of which include:

• Abrasions and scratches to the cornea, eyeball, or eyelids
• Chemical abrasions and caustic burns
• Swelling of the eye and socket area
• Fractures and breaks of the eye socket
• Cuts or needlestick injuries from sharp objects
• Ultraviolet radiation burns
• Bleeding in and around the eye
• Inflammation of the iris
• Loss of one or both eyes
• Damaged or detached retina

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other ways in which the eyes could be damaged. If you have been involved in an accident which occurred through no fault of your own, and you have sustained an eye injury, speak to our team of personal injury specialists today to find out how we can help you to make a claim for compensation.

Our eyes are structured in a way that they are generally quite well protected by the eye socket, and our eyebrows and eyelashes help to keep dirt and debris from getting into our eyes in normal day to day life. However, accidents do occasionally happen and eye injuries can occur.

Some of the most common causes of eye injuries include:

• Penetration by foreign bodies – Anything that comes into contact with the eye has the potential to cause damage. For example during a car crash or explosion, grit, sand, or shards of metal or glass could get into the eye and can scratch the cornea, leaving the eye open to infection and possibly affecting the sight.
• Chemical substances in the eye – If a chemical substance comes into contact with your eye it could cause irritation, burning, and swelling. This could happen if you work with chemicals and they were not stored properly, or you were not provided with the correct PPE to carry out your job safely. Chemical damage can also occur if you were criminally assaulted, for example in an acid attack.
• Trauma to the head – If you receive a blow to the head, for example during a road traffic accident, an object falling on your head from a height, or during an assault, it can cause a brain injury which can affect your vision. If the trauma occurs on or near to the eye it can cause abrasions and swelling which also affect the sight.
• Exposure to bright lights – Extremely bright lights can cause either temporary or permanent loss of sight. You may be exposed to bright light during an explosion, due to defective electrical equipment, or through not being provided appropriate eye covers during the use of a sun bed. People who work in industries such as welding can also be exposed to the damaging effects of bright lights if their employer has not provided adequate training or PPE.

If you have been involved in any sort of accident or incident which wasn’t your fault, and you have sustained an injury to your eye, we can help you to receive the compensation you may be entitled to. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of experienced and understanding personal injury lawyers today to find out more and to begin your claim.

When an accident happens, resulting in an injury, it can be difficult to think clearly at the time. However, if you sustain an eye injury there are a number of things you can do in order to make life easier for yourself, including:

• If the injury occurred at work, ensure it is logged in the accident book with as much detail as possible.
• If the injury occurred in a public place such as a supermarket, report the accident to staff and ensure it is logged in detail in their accident book.
• If the accident occurred outdoors in a public park or footpath, take photographs and gather details of anyone who witnessed the accident, and report it to the local council as they will be liable.
• If the police or ambulance service attend the site of the accident you can request the incident number for the call-out.
• Seek medical attention and ask for a copy of the medical report afterwards.
• Keep a record of any financial expenses that you have incurred as a result of your eye injury, such as travel to and from hospital, prescription charges, and any special equipment you have had to buy.

If you have sustained an eye injury it is important to seek medical assistance as soon as possible, as early intervention and prompt treatment is often the best way to ensure the best possible prognosis. Once you have received treatment for your eye injury and you feel ready to take legal action, the next step is to get in touch with a solicitor specialising in personal injury cases. Here at Lanyon Bowdler we have a great deal of experience in helping people to claim compensation after an eye injury, and our friendly team are happy to answer any questions you may have about the process.

Due to the serious nature of an eye injury, the consequences for some people can be life-changing. For example, losing one or both eyes, or suffering with loss of vision or complete blindness in one or both eyes can often mean having to give up work or change careers, and in extreme cases 24/7 care may be necessary.

Claiming compensation after a no-fault eye injury can provide you with the necessary funds to make adaptations to your home to aid your recovery, and pay for any treatment you require which is not available on the NHS or is accessible sooner by going private. Your compensation award will also take into account any loss of earnings you have already accrued, plus any future loss of earnings due to being unable to work long-term.

The amount of compensation you receive depends on the severity of your injuries, plus the long-term prognosis of your injuries. For example, a minor injury from which you are expected to make a full recovery will receive a lower pay out than a severe injury such as permanent blindness or loss of an eye. Our personal injury solicitors can’t say exactly how much you will receive, but we can provide you with an estimate based on your circumstances and previous cases of the same nature.