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Unfortunately, eye injuries are common. Most of them cause eye irritation or soreness, but severe injuries can cause vision loss. The average settlement for loss of vision in one eye is $64,000, but your case could be worth significantly more depending on key factors we'll explain below.
Schmidt & Clark lawyers have dealt with numerous eye injury settlements, and today we’ll explain everything there’s to know about the loss of sight compensation claim.
Summary of the Key Findings
- Average settlements range from $64,000 to $96,700 for workplace injuries.
- 80% of visual impairments can be treated if caught early.
- You may be eligible for compensation for both medical costs AND lost wages.
Incidents that Cause Loss of Sight
Many kinds of eye injuries can result in partial blindness or complete vision loss. Some of the most common injury examples are:
Trauma to The Eye
- Severity: High Risk
- Recovery: 1-6 months, depending on severity
- Settlement Example: $1.5 million for a construction worker who lost vision in one eye due to a flying metal fragment.
Bright Lights (Photokeratitis or Flash Burns)
- Severity: Low to Medium Risk
- Recovery: A few hours to a few days, depending on the exposure
- Settlement Example: $50,000 for a construction worker who experienced temporary vision impairment after prolonged exposure to bright lights and welding flashes without protective eyewear.
Chemical Burns
- Severity: High Risk
- Recovery: 2 weeks to several months, depending on the chemical and extent of damage
- Settlement Example: $400,000 for an employee who suffered chemical burns to both eyes due to inadequate safety equipment.
Head Injuries
- Severity: Medium to High Risk
- Recovery: Varies widely, from weeks to years
- Settlement Example: $2.3 million for a car accident victim who suffered traumatic brain injury resulting in partial vision loss.
Small Particles
- Severity: Low to Medium Risk
- Recovery: Few days to 2 weeks for minor cases
- Settlement Example: $75,000 for a factory worker who sustained corneal abrasions from metal shavings.
Electric Shock
- Severity: Medium Risk
- Recovery: 1-3 months, depending on the extent of damage
- Settlement Example: $850,000 for an electrician who suffered electrical burns and temporary vision loss.
Product Liability
- Severity: Varies (Low to High Risk)
- Recovery: Depends on the specific injury
- Settlement Example: $4.7 million for a consumer who experienced severe eye damage from a defective contact lens solution.
Medical Malpractice
- Severity: Medium to High Risk
- Recovery: Varies widely, potentially permanent
- Settlement Example: $1.9 million for a patient who lost vision due to a misdiagnosed retinal detachment.
Remember, these severity ratings and recovery timelines are general estimates. Each case is unique, and outcomes can vary significantly based on individual circumstances and prompt medical attention.
What Kind of Eye Injury Can You Get a Compensation for?
Minor eye injuries will heal quickly, especially if treated promptly. However, eye injuries can also have permanent damage, which can be devastating.
Parts of the eye that can be injured include:
- Iris, pupil, and cornea — They control the light that reaches the lens. They are located at the front of the eye and are most commonly injured due to trauma.
- Lens — It focuses the light that goes to the retina, which is further in the eye. Muscles control the lens shape, and if they are injured, the injury can cause temporary or permanent loss of sight.
- Retina — Is found at the back of the eye. This is the nerve that reacts to the light which the lens provides.
- Optical nerve — Goes from the back of the eye to the brain. The optic nerve can transfer electrical impulses to the part of the brain in charge of sight, so the brain turns the electrical impulses into images.
The most common consequences of injuries to one or all of these eye parts include:
- Partial loss of sight
- Double vision
- Blurred vision
- Pain in one or both eyes
- Detached retina
- Permanent vision loss in one or both eyes
Damages that Can be Claimed After Loss of Sight
Your best chance of claiming compensation after a personal injury that resulted in a loss of sight is to hire personal injury lawyers.
They can help you calculate how much compensation you may get.
“Losing an eye in an accident or being involved in an accident resulting in loss of sight can be very stressful. But, you may be able to claim compensation if the accident that resulted in your injuries was down to the negligence of others.”
-Legal Expert, YouTube Channel
There’s no exact amount of compensation you may receive, but some of the most common eye injury settlement damages include:
Economic Damages
a. Lost Earnings
- Range: $50,000 - $2,000,000+
- Example: A construction worker earning $60,000/year received $180,000 for 3 years of lost wages due to complete vision loss in one eye.
b. Medical Expenses
- Range: $10,000 - $500,000+
- Example: A victim of chemical burns received $250,000 for current and future medical treatments, including specialized eye surgeries and ongoing therapy.
c. Adaptive Equipment and Home Modifications
- Range: $5,000 - $100,000+
- Example: A plaintiff was awarded $75,000 for home modifications, including improved lighting, safety rails, and a voice-activated home system.
d. Transportation and Care Costs
- Range: $1,000 - $50,000+ annually
- Example: A victim received $36,000 annually for transportation services and part-time in-home care.
2. Non-Economic Damages
a. Pain and Suffering
- Range: $50,000 - $1,000,000+
- Example: A young adult who lost sight in both eyes due to medical malpractice was awarded $750,000 for pain and suffering.
b. Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Range: $25,000 - $500,000+
- Example: An avid reader and bird-watcher received $200,000 for loss of enjoyment of life after losing partial vision in both eyes.
c. Emotional Distress
- Range: $10,000 - $250,000+
- Example: A victim of an assault that caused vision loss was awarded $150,000 for emotional distress and PTSD.
3. Punitive Damages (in cases of gross negligence)
- Range: Varies widely, potentially millions
- Example: In a product liability case involving defective safety goggles, the manufacturer was ordered to pay $2,000,000 in punitive damages.
Remember, these ranges and examples are illustrative. Actual compensation can vary significantly based on the specific circumstances of each case. Consulting with experienced personal injury lawyers is crucial for accurately calculating potential compensation in loss-of-sight cases.
Factors that Affect the Settlement for Loss of Sight In One Eye
The average workers' compensation for an employee who damaged one eye at work is about $96,700 [1].
The worth of the vision loss claim will depend on these factors:
- If you have home or workplace injuries
- If you were wearing eye protection
- If the employer provided you with adequate protection
- If you lost sight due to medical negligence.
The type of injury you sustained:
- Minor injuries — These are usually fully recoverable in six months after the accident and include temporary loss of sight in one eye and eye socket fracture.
- Moderate injuries — The difference between minor and moderate injuries is that moderate injuries have permanent deterioration in vision. However, there’s not a complete loss of sight in one eye.
- Loss of one eye — Complete loss of an eye is more serious than only losing vision in one eye. This also results in cosmetic deformity, which can result in higher eye settlements. The settlement will depend on your age and vision deterioration in the remaining eye.
- Complete blindness — If you have permanent loss of sight in one eye or both eyes.
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Next Steps After Loss of Vision in One Eye
If you've experienced vision loss in one eye due to an injury or medical negligence, follow these steps to protect your rights and prepare for potential compensation:
- Document the Injury
• Take photos of any visible injuries
• Keep a daily journal detailing your symptoms and limitations
• Save all correspondence related to the incident - Gather Medical Records
• Obtain copies of all medical reports and diagnoses
• Collect bills for treatments, medications, and adaptive devices
• Request written statements from your doctors about your prognosis - Calculate Current and Future Expenses
• List all current medical costs and out-of-pocket expenses
• Estimate future medical needs and associated costs
• Use a future value calculator to account for inflation in long-term care costs - Assess Impact on Earnings
• Document any lost wages due to the injury
• If applicable, get an expert assessment of reduced earning capacity - Contact an Attorney for Evaluation
• Consult with a personal injury lawyer experienced in eye injury cases
• Provide all gathered documentation for a comprehensive case review
• Discuss potential settlement ranges based on similar cases
Remember, each case is unique, and settlement amounts can vary widely. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal process and work towards fair compensation for your injury.
FAQs
How Much Is the Loss of One Eye Worth?
The loss of one eye is worth $64,000 on average. How much compensation you’ll get depends on if you lost an eye due to an accident, for not wearing protective eyewear, or if it was another person’s fault [2].
What Happens When You Lose Sight in One Eye?
When you lose sight in one eye, you’ll have a lower ability to track moving objects, estimate distances, and perceive depth.
This is why you need a lawyer to help you recover compensation and have a better quality of life.
What Causes Complete Vision Loss in One Eye?
Complete vision loss in one eye is caused by an accident, eye trauma, blockage of blood flow to the retina, retinal detachment, and more.
Can Blindness in One Eye Be Cured?
About 80% of visual impairments can be cured, but 20% of cases have no cure. These cases include a gradual loss of vision or a severe injury.
File a Successful Claim With Experienced Lawyers
Every eye injury is a traumatic experience, no matter if it's the right or left eye, a temporary partial loss of sight, or a permanent vision loss.
You need lawyers experienced in accident claims to explain your legal options and help you get a fair settlement. Schmidt & Clark lawyers have successfully helped past clients get adequate compensation for their personal injury cases.
Contact us for a free consultation today, and we will help you get damages to alleviate your suffering and improve life quality.
References:
1.) https://www.statista.com/statistics/411256/job-injury-eye-compensation-usa-by-state/
2.) https://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-much-are-your-body-parts-worth