Eye Injury

Eye injuries can manifest in various forms, ranging from mild discomfort and temporary impairment of vision to severe and life-altering symptoms. Recognising these symptoms can help you to get the support you need when you need it, and forms a critical component of your eye injury compensation claim.

Common symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• Visual disturbances: these may involve blurred vision, seeing floaters or flashes of light, or experiencing a sudden decrease in vision. These symptoms can indicate a range of issues, from minor corneal scratches to severe retinal damage
• Physical discomfort or pain: you might feel a persistent ache, sharp pain, or a sensation of something being stuck in your eye. Physical discomfort can stem from direct trauma or the presence of foreign bodies in the eye
• Light sensitivity: an increased sensitivity to light, known as photophobia, can be a sign of inflammation or other issues within the eye
• Redness or swelling: these symptoms can indicate a variety of conditions, including infections, inflammations, or trauma to the eye area
• Tears or discharge: excessive tear-shedding or unusual discharge might signal an infection or a blocked tear duct, among other conditions
• Visible damage: this includes signs of bruising around the eye, bleeding in the white of the eye, or a visible foreign object in the eye

Eye injuries can occur in various contexts, each with its unique challenges and impacts on your life. Some examples include:

• Accidents at work: the workplace can be a source of significant risk, especially in industries where physical labour, machinery, or hazardous substances are involved. Following an eye injury at work, claims can be made if the injury was caused by inadequate safety measures, lack of proper protective equipment, or negligence on the part of your employer or a co-worker. Common workplace-related eye injuries include chemical burns, lacerations from flying debris, or injuries from faulty machinery
• Road traffic accidents: whether you are a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, road traffic accidents can lead to severe eye injuries. Impacts from airbags, shattered glass, or direct trauma to the eye can have lasting consequences. If the accident was due to another party’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation for your eye injury
• Public places and premises: business and property owners have a duty to ensure their premises are safe for visitors. If you suffered an eye injury due to poorly maintained property, inadequate lighting, or unaddressed hazards in places like shopping centres, public walkways, or recreational facilities, you may be able to pursue a claim
• Assault or violent crimes: some eye injuries result from violent incidents or assaults. If you have been a victim in such a situation, you might be eligible to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), even if the perpetrator is not identified or convicted. We can guide you through this process

We understand the sensitive nature of cases like these, and we realise that even the smallest issues with your vision can be distressing. In extreme cases, eye injuries can have a devastating and long-term impact on your life, and that of your loved ones – but we are here to help.

For your eye injury compensation claim to be as strong as possible, you will need to present evidence that proves that you were injured, shows the injury’s impacts and establishes that it was someone else’s fault. As well as substantiating your claim, comprehensive evidence affects how much compensation you should receive. Here are some examples of important evidence your solicitor will help you to provide:

• Medical documentation: following an injury, seek medical attention as soon as possible. This is essential not only for your wellbeing but also to clearly document the extent of your injuries and the suspected cause. Ensure all visits with medical professionals, treatments, and diagnoses are well-documented. This includes hospital records, prescriptions, and details of ongoing treatments
• Photographic evidence: if possible, take clear photographs of your injuries and the location where the incident occurred. Visual evidence can vividly illustrate the severity of the injury and the hazards or negligence that led to the accident
• Witness statements: if there were any witnesses to the incident, their accounts could be invaluable. Collect names, contact details, and written statements if possible. Witness testimonies can lend credence to your account of the events that lead to the injury. Your solicitor can help you to gather this evidence if you can provide contact details
• Accident reports: if the injury occurred at work or in a public place, the accident should be reported to a relevant responsible party. In these cases, there might be an accident report. If possible, obtain a copy, as it can serve as an official acknowledgement of the incident and the conditions that caused it
• Financial records: keep a detailed record of all expenses related to your eye injury. This includes medical bills, travel costs for treatment, and any specialised equipment you had to purchase. If you have lost income due to the injury, document this loss thoroughly
• Diary of events and impact: maintain a diary noting the dates of medical appointments, the impact on your daily life, and how the injury affects your mental and emotional wellbeing. This personal record can offer a poignant insight into the day-to-day challenges you face due to the injury

Gathering this evidence might seem daunting, but our team can guide you through the process, ensuring every detail is meticulously documented to strengthen your claim.

To make an eye injury claim, you need to prove that your injury was caused by the negligence of another party, whether that was your employer or somebody else. To increase the likelihood that your claim is successful, you should gather as much evidence as possible to prove that negligence was responsible for your injury.

Where possible, take photographs of the scene where the incident took place, as well as of your injuries. If your injury was sustained at work, collect as much proof as possible of any negligence – for example, if you can show that the right safety equipment was not provided, this can bolster your claim.

By contacting an experienced personal injury solicitor, you will be able to gain a good idea of the potential next steps, as well as the likelihood that your claim will be successful.

Often, you can still pursue an eye injury compensation claim even if you were partly responsible for the incident. This is known as contributory negligence – in such cases, the responsibility for the injury is shared between you and the other party involved. It is important to understand that while you may still be entitled to compensation, the amount you receive will be adjusted to reflect your share of the blame for the injury.

We can help by assessing the specifics of your case to accurately determine the degree of liability attributed to each party. This process involves a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding your eye injury and compiling robust evidence to support your claim. Our experienced solicitors will guide you through each step, ensuring your case is presented effectively to maximise your rightful compensation, even when contributory negligence is a factor.

In the majority of cases, those affected by an eye injury will have three years from the date of the incident to make a claim. However, there are some exceptions to this that may apply to your situation.

If the injury or its severity were not immediately apparent, the three-year period might start from the date you became aware (or should have reasonably become aware) of the injury and its roots in the negligence you experienced. This is known as the ‘date of knowledge.’

For children, the three-year time limit starts on their 18th birthday, giving them until the age of 21 to make a claim. If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to make a claim themselves, there might be no time limit, unless they regain this capacity.

Seek legal advice as soon as possible after sustaining an eye injury. Early consultation with Ramsdens can ensure that your claim is initiated within the relevant time limits, and that all necessary evidence is gathered and preserved to support your claim. Acting promptly can significantly enhance the prospects of a successful compensation claim.

Each eye injury claim is unique and influenced by various factors. The eye injury compensation value you could receive depends on the severity of the injury, the extent of the impact on your daily life, and the potential long-term consequences. For example, asking “how much compensation for an eye injury at work?” will have a different answer on a case-by-case basis.

Generally, personal injury compensation is divided into two categories:

• General damages: cover the physical and emotional impacts of the injury. These damages are calculated based on the Judicial College Guidelines, and the more severe the effects of your injury, the higher this aspect of the compensation amount will be
• Special damages: cover the financial losses that you have incurred due to your eye injury. These can include medical expenses, lost earnings, travel expenses to medical appointments, care costs and any future predicted costs that may arise. To claim compensation for special damages, you will need to provide evidence of your losses, such as receipts and bank statements

When you discuss your case with us, we will assess these aspects of your situation to ensure you get the maximum compensation possible and that your needs are met.