Any damage to your sight can have severe repercussions on your everyday life. For someone who’s used to fully functional eyes, having to readjust your daily routine can be a frustrating experience. Regardless of the severity, any disruption to your vision can significantly change your life.
Eye damage is usually caused by an impact from an external force, blunt trauma, or chemical burns, which all may occur in the workplace. This type of injury is relatively commonplace, and it often leads to full recovery. However, that’s not to say that major eye injuries don’t exist. In fact, some of them may lead to total vision loss or, worse, death.
If you’re suffering from eye damage or vision loss due to someone else’s negligence or unjust behavior in your workplace, you should fight for your right to receive just compensation. But, how do you know if you’re eligible for eye damage compensation? This article aims to discuss all you need to know about eye damage cases before contacting an attorney.
Types Of Eye Injury Claims
Eye injuries vary in gravity. Most of them are treatable that victims can have their normal sight back within a few weeks. However, this is not always the case, especially if the accident involved sharp objects or corrosive substances, which might cause vision loss.
There are several unfortunate incidents that may lead to vision loss on one or both eyes. A Houston personal injury attorney or any lawyer working on this specific type of case takes all these factors into account when negotiating the value of your compensation.
Here are some of the most common types of eye damage and vision loss claims:
1. A Side Effect Of Prescribed Drugs
This eye damage claim may not be as popular as the rest in this list, but it could be the root cause of your current troubles. Have you been experiencing dryness or irritation in one or both of your eyes lately? Yes, these could be due to allergies. However, don’t overlook the possibility that these could also be a side effect of some of the drugs you started taking a few weeks or months ago.
For instance, one urinary drug commonly known as Elmiron has been linked to a degenerative eye disorder. Most people who have used it for at least six months have reported minor and serious eye complications.
Unfortunately, these effects could lead to blindness if action is not taken early enough. One the first steps you need to take if you find yourself in this situation is to contact an Elmiron lawsuit attorney to have someone help you with your claim.
Were you prescribed Elmiron and now have problems with your vision? Watch this video to find out how you can claim your compensation:
2. Effects Of A Chemical Substance
Eye injuries due to chemicals are quite typical, especially at factories predominantly dealing with harmful substances. These chemicals can get into your eyes and cause complications. Such accidents are considered emergencies since the damage may occur within a few minutes if you don’t get rid of the hazardous substance from your eyes. In most cases, the harm is only done to the surface. As such, the injury is treatable, and full recovery is expected within a few days.
However, there are some rare cases wherein the situation can’t be salvaged, especially if the chemical involved is corrosive. Alkaline chemicals, like dishwashing detergents, drain cleaners, and ammonia, have the worst results.
The first thing you should always do after an eye-related accident involving a harmful chemical is administer the necessary first aid procedures and, then, go to a doctor as soon as possible. Depending on where and how the accident occurred, you could be eligible for compensation.
3. Swelling Of The Eye
Another eye injury claim that you might be familiar with is the swollen eye. This usually occurs as a result of workplace assault, falling, or accidental contact with a blunt object, which leads to a blackened eye. If you already experienced this type of injury before, you already know that it may not be a serious issue. However, it’s still essential to consult your doctor and make sure that everything is okay.
Some of the complications that may arise from this injury include the following:
- Partial or permanent loss of vision
- Infection
- Ruptured globe
- Eyelid laceration
- A broken socket
4. Foreign Object In The Eye
Any object in your eye that shouldn’t be there is classified as a foreign body. It can be a speck of dust, an insect, a piece of glass, or a metal shaving. These usually hide beneath the eyelid and can be very irritating. Laborers, boilermakers, and woodcutters are some of the people who are most prone to this type of eye injury.
Having a foreign object in your eye doesn’t pose a considerable risk to your vision. However, it all depends on how you handle yourself when in such a situation.
For starters, don’t try to remove the object by yourself. Doing so may lead to more injuries, which could mean further complications to your vision. Sometimes, this foreign body may lead to infections, which could, in turn, cause partial or permanent visual impairment. Therefore, you should seek help immediately at the nearest medical facility.
5. Scratched Cornea
A scratched cornea is a very common eye injury, and anyone can be a victim. When you rub your eye vigorously while a foreign object is in it, there’s a lot of friction generated. This may damage some parts of your eye, especially the transparent cornea. A slight scratch on this area could have severe repercussions if not treated as soon as possible. For one, your eye will be more prone to infection if left open.
What Can You Claim Due To Eye Damage?
First, it’s worth noting that before you can be compensated, there must be enough evidence to prove negligence on the part of the accused. Therefore, it’s imperative that you secure as much proof as you can to strengthen your case.
Here are some of the things that will substantiate your claim:
- Photographs of the scene
- Photographs showing fresh injuries
- Proof that the employer didn’t provide any safety equipment
- Any issues with machinery that might have led to the injuries
- Those who witnessed the accident
Moreover, you can demand compensation for the following damages and expenses:
- Medical bills
- Loss of earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced life expectancy
- Lifestyle changes
- Time used for recovery
- Compensation for support
As you’d expect, every case has a different estimated compensation value. This amount is based on many variables, one of them being the gravity of the injury. The jury will also look at the severity of the expected illnesses resulting from eye damage. To have a better idea of how much you might receive as compensation, consult an advocate experienced in this type of personal injury.
The Process Of Filing An Eye Injury Compensation Claim
Once you’ve contacted an advocate, they’ll discuss with you any supporting evidence you may have. Then, they’ll give you an estimate of what you can expect as compensation if the case is successful. Once you’ve agreed on the terms and signed the necessary documents, the solicitor will present the details to the courts.
A copy of the documents will be forwarded to the defendant, and they can decide whether to accept and offer a settlement amount. However, if the defendant doesn’t agree with the claims, the case will be heard in front of a judge, who will, then, rule on negligence based on the available evidence.
How Much Will You Pay?
Perhaps, one of the biggest questions you’ll have when it comes to any personal injury claim is whether you’ll afford the services of an attorney. Well, this will largely depend on the solicitor you choose to work with. Although some lawyers would like a given percentage upfront, most of them work on a ‘no win, no pay’ basis.
In other words, you’ll only pay if and when the case is won. The best part of such a deal is the fact that you can both decide on a percentage rather than the amount. As such, you’ll pay your lawyer a given percentage — usually less than a quarter — of the total compensation. The attorney will, therefore, be motivated to work tirelessly and ensure that the lawsuit goes through. In the event that the case isn’t successful, you may not incur any costs.
Bottom Line
If your eye injury was caused by someone else’s negligent behavior, know that you have the right to claim compensation for the losses incurred. An eye injury or any damage to your vision can have a huge impact on how you go about your daily routine. For that reason, the amount of money you’ll receive if your eye injury claim is successful should be proportional to the damages. Since things can get too technical when it comes to compensation claims, you should hire a lawyer who’s experienced in this area.
The main determinants of the compensation value include the severity of the injury and how much it has impacted your lifestyle. However, before you can receive the payment, your claim must be backed up with enough evidence. Photographs of the scene and injuries are some of the proof required to substantiate your case.