Losing your sight is one of the most distressing events that anyone can experience. It can also have a profound impact on your life. Even partial visual impairment in either eye can be hugely detrimental to your quality of life and may have severe consequences. Visual impairment can have a significant negative impact on your career and employment prospects, and you may require care on a permanent basis.
A comprehensive approach
At Mark Reynolds Solicitors, we understand the traumatic and life changing impact of sight loss.
When our solicitors approach loss of sight claims we take a wide range of factors into account with the aim of securing the maximum compensation possible. We look at your individual circumstances and explore the consequences of your sight loss on how you live, work and socialise.
The cause of sight loss
Full or partial sight loss can have a range of possible causes. The most common causes that lead to a compensation claim include:
- Assault: Blunt force to the head from a physical assault or a thrown object can lead to eyesight loss. Domestic disputes are one example where violence can lead to devastating consequences, such as vision impairment to one or both eyes.
- Bright lights: Exposure to intense lights from welding torches or lasers can often result in temporary or permanent loss of sight. The dangers increase significantly if a workplace fails to take the necessary safety precautions.
- Chemical injuries: Certain chemicals in workplaces like factories can lead to serious eye injuries if they are not handled properly. There is comprehensive legislation that covers the handling of substances that could harm people or the environment. Inadequate protective equipment is strong evidence of workplace negligence.
- Head trauma: Any strike to the head, whether from a sharp or blunt object, can be serious enough to result in eyesight loss. Examples include flying debris from machinery or taking hard falls on a slippery surface. Employers have a legal duty to ensure safe working conditions for their employees.
- Medical negligence: A medical misdiagnosis can lead to incorrect or delayed treatment, which can cause partial or permanent loss of sight. Although these situations are rare, patients may be entitled to claim compensation due to medical negligence.
How do you establish liability for loss of sight?
Workplace regulations state that employers have a legal obligation to carry out risk assessments and provide safe working conditions for their employees. Employers must also ensure the safe operation of machinery and provide adequate protective gear to protect against potential safety hazards.
In the event of a workplace injury that results in loss of sight, employers may be held liable if they have failed to comply with specific health and safety rules. Claims are typically brought against the employer for injuries that occur in the workplace. For other scenarios, establishing liability for loss of sight depends on the exact circumstances.
Is there a time limit for making a loss of sight compensation claim?
There is a 3-year time limit for making a claim for loss of sight compensation from the date of your injury, or from when you became aware of it, known as the date of knowledge. If you’ve suffered partial or complete sight loss it’s important to act quickly and to seek immediate legal advice.
How do I know if I am eligible for a loss of sight claim?
If a no-fault accident led to your loss of sight then it is extremely likely that you will be owed compensation. In this instance, a no-fault accident refers to an accident that wasn’t your personal fault but was instead caused by somebody else’s negligence, action or inaction. This might be an accident at work, on the road, in commercial premises such as a supermarket, restaurant, cinema, gym or shopping centre. Sight loss may also be caused by medical negligence which is also considered a no-fault accident.
It’s important to seek legal advice about the strength of your claim as soon as possible.
How much compensation is a loss of sight claim worth and what does it cover?
The amount you can claim will depend on a range of individual factors such as the cause and extent of the injury. The Judicial College provides a range of compensation claims for certain types of injuries including loss of sight. These guidelines are frequently used when estimating how much you could claim.
- Severe injury leading to total blindness: Up to £297,000
- Total loss of sight in one eye: £40,300 – £48,200
- Minor eye injuries: £2,900 – £6,400
- Temporary loss of sight eye injuries: £1,620 – £2,900
How to Make a Loss of Sight Claim
You can read more about making your claim in our news section.
Get a Free Claim Assessment
Whether your loss of sight has occurred as a result of physical trauma or employer negligence, Mark Reynolds Solicitors can advise on making a claim to seek compensation. Call us today on 0800 002 9577 to speak to a solicitor about loss of sight claims or fill out the online form on our website. A solicitor will be in touch with you shortly to help you claim compensation.