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Eye injury claims can be made if the claimant can prove that the accident in which the injury was sustained occurred due to someone else’s fault. Perhaps you have been at the cinema and the fire alarms have not been replaced, so when a fire has broken out you have not been made aware in time, causing your eyes to suffer smoke damage. Or, you have been provided with the wrong power tool at work causing a metal pipe to spark when the machine is used on it, damaging your eye. Both of these scenarios, along with all other accidents in which an eye injury can be sustained, can result in different severities of injuries. Your compensation will consider this and the added expenses that you have had to pay for medical costs and travel expenses due to your injury.
In order to claim eye injury compensation, you will need to collect compelling evidence that proves your version of events and how the third party was liable for your injuries. You will also need to ensure that your personal injury claim is filed within the time limit. A personal injury solicitor can help you with this as well as handle the claims process on your behalf while keeping you fully informed.
The solicitors on our panel are experts in personal injury and will thoroughly assess all of these factors to ensure that you are awarded a fair amount of compensation that reflects the impact that your injury has had on your life. They offer their services on a No Win No Fee basis.
Our advisors are constantly on hand to assess the details of your case and connect you with a solicitor. So, to make a start on your claim today.
Jump To A Section
- Can I Make A Compensation Claim For An Eye Injury?
- Can I Claim For A Loved One After An Eye Injury?
- Common Eye Injury Claims Examples
- What Are The Different Types Of Eye Injuries?
- The Severity And Long Term Impacts Of An Injured Eye
- How Much Eye Injury Compensation Can I Get?
- Can Eye Injury Claims Compensate For Other Losses?
- What Will I Need When Claiming Compensation For An Injured Eye?
- Why Should I Claim For An Eye Injury With Legal Helpline?
- Can Eye Injury Claims Be Made On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Learn More
Can I Make A Compensation Claim For An Eye Injury?
Yes, you can make a compensation claim for an eye injury if you can prove that another party was liable for the harm you suffered. We detail the eligibility criteria for eye injury claims below:
- You Were Owed a Duty of Care – Where there are expectations of someone to take the reasonable steps to ensure your health and safety, there is a legal duty of care. There is a duty of employers to provide protective equipment, such as goggles, to ensure the safety of your eyes, for example.
- That Duty of Care Was Breached – This duty is breached when the person or organisation who owes it fails to take all reasonable steps to ensure your safety. An occupier not running risk assessments on smoke machines at a club where harmful substances could get into the eyes would amount to a breach.
- You Suffered an Injury – Finally, you must be able to prove that this breach of duty led to your eye injury. Assessments and scans of your eye and the damage that it has suffered from the accident that this breach caused would be sufficient evidence.
You can have your eligibility assessed by contacting one of our advisors today.
Can I Claim For A Loved One After An Eye Injury?
Yes, you can claim for a loved one after an eye injury, provided that you are claiming for them as they are under the age of 18 or they lack the mental capacity to bring their own claim. Neither of these parties can manage the claims process themselves. In this instance, you will be appointed as their litigation friend, and this means that you will go through the claims process for them, acting with integrity and their best interest at heart so that they receive the compensation that they deserve.
One of our advisors can tell you more about litigation friends and what you need to do to act on behalf of a loved one during the claims process.
Common Eye Injury Claim Examples
Eye injuries can be sustained in many different scenarios and settings, such as at work, on the road or in public places. Example scenarios of how and why eye injuries may be sustained are given below.
Eye Injuries At Work
You may have been working with a power tool at work but were not given the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). This has caused a splinter of metal to cut your eye, leaving it with permanently reduced vision.
Public Liability Caused Eye Injuries
The local council ran a firework display on Bonfire Night. The occupiers of the event allowed the crowd to stand too close to the fireworks leading to the smoke and debris off the fireworks to affect your eyesight for several weeks after. You can make a public liability claim against the occupiers of the display (the council).
Eye Injuries After A Road Traffic Accident
A road traffic accident caused by another driver using their mobile phone whilst driving resulted in the glass of the front window shattering and a shard of glass severely damaged your eye, leaving you with a complete loss of vision in your left eye.
Medical Negligence Eye Injuries
The eye is a very delicate part of the body. Therefore, if the surgeon of your eye operation has pressed too hard with equipment during your operation, which aimed to improve sight in your right eye, and your sight is now worse, this could be medical negligence as could missing a condition that affects your sight.
Contact an advisor to discuss the exact situation that resulted in your eye injury. They can assess whether you have good grounds to launch an eye injury claim.
What Are The Different Types Of Eye Injuries?
The types of eye injuries that can be sustained range in severity and vary from total blindness, blindness in one eye, reduced vision and minor transient eye injuries, such as blurred or double vision. The severity of your specific injury will be considered in your compensation.
A few different eye injuries include:
- Foreign body in the eye, such as dust or chemicals.
- Black eyes from being struck with an object.
- Penetrating eye injury, such as glass or another object lodged in the eye.
- Eyelid laceration, when your eyelid is cut.
- Corneal abrasion, this is where the cornea is scratched and can affect your eyes.
- Welder’s Flash (photokeratitis) occurs when the eye is exposed to ultraviolet light.
To discuss the eye injuries that you have sustained from your accident, get in touch today. An advisor can help assess whether you have a valid eye injury claim.
The Severity And Long Term Impacts Of An Injured Eye
In the most severe cases of eye injuries, there will be a complete loss of sight and the eye may even need to be removed. These are the cases in which the impact on daily and social life is the greatest, therefore they will receive more compensation. Other eye injuries may leave long-distance blurred or double vision but the victim is still able to navigate with little to no support eventually. As the impact on life is less serious here, they will not require as much compensation as there is little care and medical expenses. In the more severe cases, the claimant may need support as they adjust to life with no or seriously reduced vision.
To discuss the severity of your eye injury and the impact that it has had on your life, get in touch today.
How Much Eye Injury Compensation Can I Get?
The eye injury compensation that you could get depends on the extent of the pain that you have endured and the financial losses that you have suffered. General damages will be awarded in a successful eye injury claim to compensate for your physical pain and mental suffering. This head of claim will consider the severity of your condition and whether or not you are expected to recover.
An eye injury which has resulted in a total loss of blindness may receive up to £327,940. However, where there is only a loss of sight in one eye, you may receive a compensation amount of £60,130 – £66,920 as the suffering will be less severe. These figures were taken from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This document gives suggested compensation amounts for different types of injuries differing in severity. Your solicitor may refer to these when evaluating the compensation for your claim.
The table below gives more examples of compensation amounts for eye injuries suggested by the JCG. These are only guidelines and therefore you are not guaranteed any specific amount given below. Please note that the first figure was not taken from the JCG.
| Injury and Severity | Suggested Compensation Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries | Up to £1million+ | Multiple serious injuries are sustained and there are a number of special damages awarded such as rehabilitation, care costs and adjustments made to home. |
| Total Blindness and Deafness | In the region of £493,000 | Considered with the most devastating injuries. |
| Total Blindness | In the region of £327,940 | Injuries resulting in a total loss of sight in both eyes. |
| Loss of sight in one eye and a reduction of sight in the remaining eye (i) | £117,150 - £219,400 | There's a risk of deterioration in the remaining eye. |
| Loss of sight in one eye and reduction of sight in the remaining eye (ii) | £78,040 - £129,330 | The vision in the remaining eye is reduced and there are further complications such as double vision. |
| Total loss of one eye | £66,920 - £80,210 | Compensation here will depend on factors such as the age of the victim and the cosmetic effect. |
| One eye - complete sightloss | £60,130 - £66,920 | Total blindness has been suffered in one eye. |
| Incomplete but serious loss of vision in one eye | £28,900 - £48,040 | There is not a significiant risk of loss of vision in the remaining eye or constant double vision. |
| Minor but permanent impairment of vision in one or both eyes | £11,120 - £25,600 | Some double vision that may not be continuous and permanent sensitivity to light but not serious enough to require protective glasses. |
| Minor eye injuries | £4,820 - £10,660 | Exposure to fumes, such as smoke, or splashed by harmful liquids causing pain but only temporary impairment of vision. |
For a more accurate estimate of how much compensation your eye injury claim could be awarded, speak to one of our advisors today.
Can Eye Injury Claims Compensate For Other Losses?
Yes, eye injury claims can compensate for special damages, which are the financial losses that you have suffered in association with your eye injury. Some examples of the special damages that you may be compensated for are listed below. Please note that you will need evidence of your expenses as part of the claims process. Examples include your payslips, bank statements and receipts and invoices.
Loss Of Earnings
Your accident may have resulted in your sight being reduced for a number of weeks, meaning it would be a hazard attending your shifts at work. The wages that you lose in this instance will be covered by special damages.
Future Loss Of Earnings
If your accident has resulted in partial blindness, you may no longer be able to work in your previous profession. If this has led to a reduction in your yearly income, this difference will be compensated for.
Adjustments Made To Your Home
An eye injury can cause you to require adjustments being made to your home such as railings to help you navigate your house after the loss of your sight.
Travel Expenses
Reduced sight will likely mean that it is unsafe for you to drive, therefore you now have to rely on public transport to get around. The cost of bus and/or train tickets can be reimbursed under special damages.
Get in touch today to discuss what special damages could be relevant to your claim.
What Will I Need When Claiming Compensation For An Injured Eye?
To claim compensation for an injured eye, you will need evidence to prove liability for the accident and this will need to be brought within the legal time limit. Details of both can be found below.
Evidence Needed For Eye Injury Claims
Evidence to support your claim should prove the fault of the third party and what the injury that was caused. Examples can include:
- Gather details of anyone who witnessed the accident.
- Photo/video evidence of the scene e.g. CCTV footage
- Accident report books found in workplaces and public spaces
- A diary of the progression of your symptoms e.g. worsening blurred vision
- Records from the police and updated medical records detailing the prognosis of your eye injury.
More information and examples can be found in our evidence guide.
How Long After Sustaining An Eye Injury Can I Claim Compensation?
After sustaining an eye injury, you will usually have 3 years to begin making your claim for compensation. This deadline will begin from the date that you sustained your eye injury. There are some exceptions to this deadline, however, and these are discussed in our time limits guide.
Call an advisor today to discuss the process of making a claim further.
Why Should I Claim For An Eye Injury With Legal Helpline?
Making a claim for an eye injury with Legal Helpline means that you will be connected with a solicitor from our panel who has proven expertise in personal injury claims. The services that they will supply you when going through the claims process include:
- Advising you on the evidence that will support your eye injury claim.
- Explaining any complex legal terms.
- Handling any legal documents.
- Answer any questions that you have about your claim or the process.
- Assessing each detail of your case and ongoing symptoms for your compensation.
- Updating you on the progress of your claim for eye injury compensation.
You can be connected with one of them to make a start on your claim by getting in touch today.
Can Eye Injury Claims Be Made On A No Win No Fee Basis?
Yes, here at Legal Helpline, our panel provide their services on a No Win No Fee basis under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means that you do not have to worry about paying solicitor fees before or during the process of making your claim. You also don’t have to worry about how you’re going to pay your solicitor fees if your claim is unsuccessful. However, when your claim is successful, your solicitor will receive a percentage of compensation, known as a ‘success fee’. You can be reassured that you will still receive the majority of the compensation, as the percentage is legally capped. It will also be agreed with your solicitor before beginning your claim.
Contact Legal Helpline
- Call us on 0333 000 0729
- Use our free live chat function
- Fill out our online contact form
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you’ll find a series of answers to frequently asked questions about eye injury claims.
Do Eye Injury Claims Go To Court?
Yes, although it is very unlikely, as it is in everyone’s interest to settle before it reaches that stage. Eye injury claims can go to court if the third party denies liability. Complex claims with multiple injuries may also go to court.
How Long Do Eye Injury Claims Take To Settle?
Eye injury claims can take anywhere between a few months to over a year to settle. This depends on factors such as gathering evidence and witness statements, as well as whether the other party denies liability and negotiating the settlement. However, if your claim is taking awhile and you have immediate financial needs, your solicitor can help you apply for an interim payment.
Will I Need A Medical Assessment To Assess My Eye Injury?
Yes, you will need a medical assessment to assess your eye injury. Firstly for your health and to get the treatment that you need to recover. A medical assessment will also provide information about your prognosis and will help determine the value of your general damages.
Can I Claim If Symptoms Of An Eye Injury Worsen Later?
Yes, you can claim if your eye injuries worsen later. Your prognosis will likely detail how your eye injury will worsen in the future and this will therefore be considered in your general damages.
What If I Was Partly To Blame For The Accident That Caused My Eye Injury?
If you were partly to blame for the accident that caused your eye injury, you can still claim. However, this will be a case of split liability. Therefore, if it is decided that you take 25% of the blame then you will receive 75% of the compensation. For example, a machine has malfunctioned at work due to your employer’s lack of risk assessments but you were not wearing the goggles thatwere provided.
Learn More
Read more of our useful guides:
- Learn more about claiming compensation for your loss of earnings
- Suffering from blindness may have resulted in psychological damage
- You may also be suffering from tinnitus after a car accident
For some helpful websites, see below:
- Information from the NHS on what to do after suffering an eye injury
- Read more about the expectations of employers from the Health and Safety Executive
- Learn about claiming for Statutory Sick Pay on the government website
Thank you for reading our guide about eye injury claims. Please get in touch with any questions you have.