What to Do If You Have Suffered an Eye Injury in an Accident?

An eye injury could be a minor one that gets better with treatment or it could become a catastrophic injury that results in loss of vision. When you lose vision in one or both eyes, the consequences can be devastating. Even a change in your vision can cause problems for individuals, for example, affecting their ability to do their jobs. This could have repercussions for them as well as their family members. Everyday activities such as dressing, bathing, performing household chores such as cooking or cleaning might become impossible or difficult to perform.

Many who suffer eye injuries are also unable to engage in hobbies or leisure time activities such as running, hiking, dancing, etc. And this might affect their quality of life in general. If your eye injury or loss of vision was caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be able to seek compensation for your damages and losses. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer will be able to help you better understand what your legal rights are in such circumstances.

What Causes Eye Injuries

While you may suffer eye injuries any time and anywhere, as personal injury lawyers, we see some circumstances where individuals are more at risk of suffering these types of injuries. Here are some of the common causes of eye injuries that stem from some type of negligence or wrongdoing:

• Auto accidents: Any type of auto accident such as a car accident, motorcycle accident or bicycle accident could result in major eye injuries resulting in loss of vision. Eye injuries in car accidents could be caused by blunt force trauma (when you hit your eye against the inside of the vehicle) or when a foreign object such as a piece of broken glass enters your eyes.
• Defective products: An airbag that doesn’t work as intended could damage your eyes or fail to protect your eyes. In such cases, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of the defective product. Other examples of defective products that could cause eye injuries include contact lens solutions or other drugs that could cause serious damage to the eyes.
• Workplace injuries: A number of workers are at risk for serious eye injuries. Factory workers or those in the construction industry who work with a variety of materials and equipment are in particular, at risk for eye injuries that could lead to partial or total loss of vision. Workers who are at risk should be provided with safety goggles and other protective equipment that will safeguard their eyes when they work.
• Medical malpractice: LASIK surgeries, when performed by incompetent or negligent surgeons, can go horribly wrong and result in catastrophic loss of vision.

Compensation for Your Losses

If you or a loved one has suffered temporary or permanent loss of vision or changes to your vision, you may be able to receive compensation for damages such as medical expenses, loss of wages, loss of earning capacity, permanent injuries, disabilities, pain and suffering and emotional distress. You may also be able to seek compensation for loss of life’s enjoyment because these injuries have the ability to adversely affect every aspect of your life. You need an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer on your side who will fight for your rights and help ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your losses.