The eye is one of the most sensitive parts of the human body. Even a seemingly small amount of damage to a person’s eye can cause a devastating, catastrophic injury. Under California law, permanent vision loss or loss of an eye is often considered a catastrophic injury, meaning you may be entitled to substantial compensation for lifelong medical care, lost earning capacity, and permanent disability.
If you suffered an eye injury or vision loss in an accident in California, it is imperative that you consult with an experienced California eye injury and vision loss attorney immediately. If your eye injury happened at work, California law generally requires your employer to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which can provide medical treatment and ongoing disability benefits. If your injury was caused by a third party such as a contractor, driver, or equipment manufacturer, you may also have the right to file a separate personal injury claim for full compensation beyond workers’ compensation.
You may be entitled to substantial financial compensation. Your rights must be protected. California law strictly limits how long you have to file an eye injury or vision loss claim. If you wait too long, you may permanently lose your right to compensation, no matter how serious your injury is.
GJEL Accident Attorneys is an experienced eye injury and blindness personal injury law firm. If your eye injury occurred on the job, you may still be able to pursue a personal injury claim against a negligent third party, even if you are receiving workers’ compensation benefits. We have recovered millions of dollars for clients who have experienced an eye injury due to someone else’s negligence.
If you or someone you love has experienced an eye injury, call our California personal injury attorneys for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. You do not pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no financial risk to speaking with an experienced eye injury lawyer about your case.
Talk to our Eye Injury Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one suffered an eye injury anywhere in California, our legal team is ready to review your case and explain your legal options. Contact us today for a free consultation.
The Most Common Eye Injuries
Eye injuries are complex. With eye injury/vision loss cases, each claim requires fully individualized attention. This is because eye injuries can manifest themselves in many different ways. In some cases, victims can largely recover from their injuries. However, sadly, there are also eye injuries that result in permanent impairments, including vision loss. Some examples of eye injuries that our personal injury lawyers have seen include:
● Blurred vision;
● Double vision;
● Partial vision loss;
● Cornea or retina damage;
● Optic nerve damage;
● Reduced peripheral vision;
● Reduced vision in dark conditions;
● Intense sensitivity to the light;
● Full blindness; and
● Traumatic brain injuries.
Medical Treatment for Eye Injuries
The type of medical treatment that a victim needs will depend entirely on the specific circumstances of their eye injury. In some cases, invasive surgery is needed to preserve vision or correct damage. A victim may even require multiple invasive operations to help their eyes recover from the accident.
In addition, many victims who suffer serious eye injuries require long-term physical therapy. It can take a considerable amount of time and professional intervention for a victim’s injured eyes to make a maximum possible medical recovery. Of course, as some eye injuries are permanent, a maximum recovery is not always a complete recovery.
Compensation for Injured Victims
Under California state law, injured victims must be able to access full financial compensation for their eye injury or vision loss. Getting a full settlement offer is never easy. Defendants and their insurance companies fight most personal injury claims aggressively. Insurance companies are represented by experienced defense lawyers whose goal is to minimize or deny your claim. Having an eye injury attorney protects you from being pressured into accepting a low settlement that does not reflect the true impact of your vision loss. They work hard to reduce their own financial liability, thereby limiting the amount of compensation that a victim can recover.
At GJEL, our California eye injury lawyers are committed to holding negligent defendants accountable. To succeed, your case must clearly show who caused your injury, how it happened, and the full extent of the physical, financial, and emotional harm you have suffered. We gather medical records, expert opinions, and evidence needed to prove the true impact of your vision loss. We do not rest until we help our clients maximize their compensation. In an eye injury or vision loss case, financial damages may be available for:
● Emergency room bills;
● Surgical operations;
● Physical therapy;
● Required medical equipment;
● All other medical bills;
● Long-term disability;
● Lost wages;
● Pain and suffering;
● Emotional distress; and
● Reduced quality of life due to a permanent impairment (vision loss).
This may also include the long-term costs of living with vision loss, such as occupational therapy to relearn daily tasks, vocational retraining if you cannot return to your previous job, psychological counseling for emotional trauma, attendant care, ocular prosthetics such as an artificial eye, and other future medical or life-care needs.
Contact Our Bay Area Eye Injury Lawyers Today
At GJEL, our top-rated California personal injury lawyers have extensive experience handling eye injury and vision loss claims. If you or a family member suffered a serious eye injury in an accident, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation. With main offices in Oakland, San Jose, Walnut Creek, Fresno, and Orinda, we serve communities throughout Northern California. Our attorneys also represent eye injury and vision loss victims throughout California.
What Causes Serious Eye Injuries?
Serious eye injuries frequently result from car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, and rideshare accidents, workplace incidents, defective products, unsafe property conditions, violent assaults, and chemical or industrial exposure.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, there are roughly 2.5 million eye injuries every year in the United States, and almost half of these occur in and around the home. Eye injuries can range from mild irritation to serious and life-changing damage. It is important to know the causes of serious eye injuries to help prevent them from happening. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common causes of serious eye injuries and how they can be prevented.
Types of Eye Injuries
There are different types of eye injuries that can occur, and they are generally classified based on the type and severity of the injury. Some of the most common types of eye injuries include:
Corneal Abrasions
A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the surface of the eye that can cause pain, sensitivity to light, and a gritty feeling in the eye. This type of injury can be caused by foreign objects, such as dust or sand, entering the eye, or by a poke or scratch to the eye.
Chemical Burns
Chemical burns can occur when the eye comes into contact with a harmful chemical, such as cleaning solutions or pool chemicals. Symptoms can range from mild irritation to severe pain, and can potentially cause permanent vision damage.
Penetrating Injuries
A penetrating injury occurs when a foreign object enters the eye and penetrates through the cornea, causing damage to the eye’s interior. This type of injury can cause severe vision loss or blindness and requires immediate medical attention.
Blunt Trauma
Blunt trauma is caused by a blow or impact to the eye, often resulting in a black eye. This type of injury can also cause damage to the retina, leading to vision loss.
Causes of Serious Eye Injuries
Now that we have discussed the different types of eye injuries, let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of serious eye injuries.
Sports-Related Injuries
Sports-related injuries are a common cause of serious eye injuries, particularly in children and teenagers. Contact sports, such as basketball or soccer, and racquet sports, such as tennis or badminton, can all lead to eye injuries if proper eye protection is not worn.
Workplace Injuries
Workplace injuries are also a common cause of serious eye injuries, particularly in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and healthcare. Workers who are exposed to chemicals, flying debris, or high-intensity light are at a higher risk of sustaining serious eye injuries.
DIY Accidents
DIY accidents are a common cause of eye injuries in and around the home. Activities such as using power tools, hammering nails, or working with chemicals can all lead to eye injuries if proper eye protection is not worn.
Car Accidents
Car accidents can also cause serious eye injuries, particularly if the airbag deploys and hits the face or eyes. In addition, shattered glass from a car accident can cause eye injuries.
Prevention of Eye Injuries
Preventing serious eye injuries is important, and there are several measures that can be taken to help reduce the risk of eye injuries.
Wear Eye Protection
Wearing proper eye protection is one of the best ways to prevent serious eye injuries. Eye protection should be worn during activities such as sports, DIY projects, and workplace tasks that involve flying debris or exposure to chemicals or high-intensity light.
Keep Your Workplace Safe
Employers should provide a safe working environment and ensure that workers are properly trained on how to use equipment safely. Safety equipment, such as goggles and face shields, should be provided to workers who are at risk of sustaining eye injuries.
Be Cautious During DIY Projects
When engaging in DIY projects, it is important to wear appropriate eye protection, such as safety goggles or glasses. In addition, make sure to read and follow all instructions on equipment and chemicals to avoid accidental exposure.
Follow Traffic Safety Rules
Car accidents can cause serious eye injuries, so it is important to follow traffic safety rules when driving. Wearing a seatbelt and avoiding distracted driving can help reduce the risk of sustaining eye injuries in a car accident.
Treatment for Eye Injuries
If an eye injury does occur, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Delaying treatment can lead to further damage and potential vision loss. Treatment for eye injuries can include:
Antibiotics or Eye Drops
If the eye is scratched or infected, antibiotics or eye drops may be prescribed to prevent further infection and promote healing.
Surgery
In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair damage to the eye, such as a penetrating injury.
Eye Injury FAQ
- How long does it take for an eye injury to heal?
It depends on the type and severity of the injury. Minor scratches or irritations can usually heal within a few days, while more severe injuries may take several weeks or even require surgery. - Can eye injuries cause permanent vision loss?
Yes, serious eye injuries can cause permanent vision loss, particularly if they involve damage to the retina or optic nerve. - Are contact lenses safe to wear during sports or DIY projects?
No, contact lenses should not be worn during activities that involve the risk of eye injuries. They can increase the risk of infection or become dislodged during impact, causing further damage to the eye. - Can wearing sunglasses protect the eyes from injury?
Sunglasses can protect the eyes from harmful UV rays, but they are not a substitute for proper eye protection during activities that involve the risk of eye injuries. - How can I tell if I have sustained an eye injury?
Symptoms of an eye injury may include pain, redness, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or the presence of a foreign object in the eye. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Eye Injury Settlements from GJEL
In this car accident law suit, GJEL Accident Attorneys recovered $2 million for a client who was a passenger in a friend’s car that veered into an obstruction on a neighbor’s lawn.
The car’s airbag deployed and our client suffered an injury to her eye. The defendants claimed our client’s injury resulted from a defective airbag. They further argued that the driver had no choice but to veer off the roadway in order to avoid hitting a dog which had run in front of the vehicle. We established that there was nothing defective about the airbag, and that the injury occurred as a result of negligence and driving at an excessive speed.
