Loss of Sight Claim
If you or a loved one have sustained an eye injury or sight loss because of another person’s mistake or negligence, JMW's experienced personal injury solicitors can help you to make a loss of sight claim for compensation.
Vision loss can have a devastating impact on an individual’s quality of life, even when it is relatively minor, and significant sight loss can restrict what someone can do or where they can go. By claiming compensation, you can ensure that you are financially supported during your recovery.
JMW has a wealth of experience and a strong track record in loss of sight compensation claims. We understand the physical and psychological distress that can accompany any loss of sight, and can make sure you receive the best possible treatment and support while we work to secure the compensation you are owed.
For a free, no obligation consultation with one of our personal injury solicitors, get in touch with JMW today by calling 0345 872 6666, or fill in our online enquiry form to request a call back.
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How JMW Can Help
At JMW, our team has helped hundreds of people who have sustained eye injuries and sight loss through no fault of their own. We work with a network of investigators and experts to help ensure you have a strong case and will receive the maximum amount of compensation for the pain and suffering caused.
Your solicitor will handle your sight loss claim from the initial consultation through to financial settlement. We will work to ensure you receive financial support, including interim payments, as well as provide advice, coordinate treatment and rehabilitation that may not be available on the NHS, and provide access to providers and therapists. We strive to deliver unparalleled and excellent service, and deliver the best results possible.
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How Much Compensation Can I Claim for Sight Loss?
The financial compensation awarded for eye injuries and loss of sight varies depending on the type of injury you have sustained and its severity. Settlements will also take into account several factors, such as the pain and suffering you have experienced and the wider impact the accident has had on your lifestyle, finances and career.
Below we have outlined some estimations of the amount of compensation you could receive for an eye injury or loss of vision. These are based on the Judicial College Injury Tables and should only be taken as guidance.
| Total blindness | £214,210 - £214,250 |
| Loss of sight in one eye with reduced vision in the other eye | £50,970 - £84,510 |
| Complete loss of vision in one eye | £39,270 - £43,710 |
| Serious loss of vision | £18,880 - £31,320 |
While full or partial blindness and severe eye injuries will deliver more compensation than temporary sight loss, other factors will also affect how much compensation you will receive. Any financial losses and expenses related to your claim will also affect the total, as these can be claimed back as special damages. Expenses and outgoings claimed as special damages often include:
- Medical costs, including any treatment, rehabilitation or therapies you need, and prescription and medication expenses
- Travel expenses for transport to and from medical appointments
- Paid care delivered by professionals or unpaid care from family members.
- Loss of earnings during your recovery
- Projected future earnings, if you can no longer work or do the same job because you are visually impaired
- Equipment such as assistive devices, if you need them
- Adaptations to your home or vehicle
For a more accurate calculation of how much your claim is worth, based on the specifics of your case, contact our team today. We can give you a precise estimate that takes into account all of the details about your injury and circumstances.
How Can Compensation Help?
Making a sight loss claim following a no-fault accident will give you the chance to significantly improve your quality of life. The compensation secured will cover any financial impact of the accident on your life, and the costs to make any necessary changes to your life. This enables you to focus on recovery. The compensation you receive can be used for the following:
- Ongoing medical treatment and surgery costs
- Rehabilitation
- Full or part-time care
- Access to medical treatment not available on the NHS
- Specialist equipment required for daily living
- Transport and travel arrangement required as a result of an injury
- Loss of earnings
- Special education needs
For some eye injury claims, our solicitors can secure interim payments during the claims process that will cover any urgent financial needs. We'll also speak to medical experts and specialist advisors about your long-term needs, to make sure any expected future costs are accounted for in the compensation we secure.
Common Causes of Vision Loss
Serious eye injuries or blindness can be caused by a number of incidents, no matter how your sight loss was caused, we can help you to get the compensation you deserve. Common causes that can result in damage to the eye or loss of sight, include:
- Flying debris, grit and other particles
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Burning or scalding, which can also cause severe pain and scarring
- Head injuries during a road traffic accident, fall from height or due to falling objects
- Exposure to intense light without appropriate protective eyewear
- A blow to the eye during a physical fight or criminal assault
- As sharp object penetrating the eye
These injuries may entitle you to compensation, whether you were left severely sight impaired or made a full recovery, if they were caused by someone else's negligence. For example, if you were asked by an employer to handle chemicals without the necessary training or were not given eye protection, this could make your employer liable for your loss of sight. Contact our specialist solicitors to learn more about whether you can claim - no matter how your sight loss was caused, we can help you to get the compensation you deserve.
FAQs About Sight Loss Compensation Claims
- Is there a time limit to make an eye injury claim?
There is a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases. It means that you need to file a claim within three years from the time you lost your sight, or from the time your condition was linked to an injury or an accident. This might seem like a lot of time to get everything together; however, it is important that you speak with a solicitor as soon as possible to get your case underway.
There are limited exceptions to this three-year rule. If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to claim compensation for themselves, there may be no time limit unless they regain this capacity. For children under the age of 18, no time limit applies. A litigation friend can claim on behalf of a child at any time, or the person can make a claim for themselves once they turn 18. At this point, the three-year time limit begins, meaning that they will have until they turn 21 to make a loss of sight compensation claim.
- How is liability determined for a loss of sight claim?
Determining who is legally responsible for your vision loss or injury depends on the nature of the accident and the law surrounding it. Your solicitor will work to determine the following:
- Who owed you a duty of care
- What those responsible did or failed to do, resulting in your injury
- Whether the actions of the responsible party caused your injury
There are many circumstances in which someone else may be liable for an injury, ranging from road traffic accidents to incidents in the workplace. These accidents can happen anyway, and if you have experienced vision impairment in this type of incident, contact our solicitors to find out more about whether you can claim.
- What are the legal costs for a loss of sight claim?
At JMW, we take on most sight loss and eye injury claims on a no win, no fee basis, which is sometimes called a conditional fee agreement. This allows you to make a claim with limited financial risk, because there are no legal fees to pay if your claim is unsuccessful. If our no win, no fee solicitors secure compensation for you, you'll pay a success fee to cover the legal costs, which is a pre-agreed percentage of your overall compensation amount.
- What evidence do I need to support a sight loss claim?
A sight loss compensation claim relies on strong evidence to establish both the negligence and its impact. The evidence should demonstrate that your injury was someone else's fault, and that it contributed to the loss of vision. JMW will usually use a combination of the following types of evidence for loss of sight compensation claims:
- Medical reports relating to eye examinations, retinal scans, and visual acuity tests. We will also review records from your GP or optometrist, and any A&E department or eye hospital you visited.
- An expert opinion from an independent ophthalmologist or other eye specialist who can estimate the effect of the injury on the affected eye(s), and your expected future needs. This specialist may also be able to connect your injury to the accident that you experienced.
- Photographs of the accident scene may be used to prove that someone else was liable for your injury. If you have photographs of any visible eye injuries at the time they occurred or during your recovery, these may also be used as evidence.
- CCTV or video footage of the accident taking place may also be used, if it is available.
- Witness statements from anyone who witnessed the accident and can support your version of events. We may also seek statements from you and your family members about changes in daily life, work and emotional wellbeing. Finally, we may ask for statements from treating clinicians or carers about how your care needs have changed.
- Financial evidence such as payslips, tax returns, and employment records to demonstrate loss of earnings or job impact, and receipts for any private treatment, care, transport or specialist equipment you wish to claim for.
Each element contributes to proving the case and calculating appropriate compensation for both the harm caused and the losses incurred. Our solicitors are experts in loss of sight compensation claims and can build a strong case that delivers the compensation you deserve.
- Can I make a claim for an accident at work?
If your eye injury or sight loss was related to an accident at work, a claim will be brought against your employer because they have failed in their duty of care to keep you from harm while working. However, this does not mean you will directly sue your boss, as they are required to have an insurance policy in place to cover workplace accidents.
Talk to Us
When an accident leaves you partially sighted or with total blindness, and whether this represents a permanent loss of sight or only a temporary issue, the aftermath can be difficult. Whether you are on the road to recovery or need to adjust to new circumstances, loss of sight compensation can make a significant difference as you move ahead.
To speak to a solicitor about making an eye injury or slight loss compensation claim, call JMW on 0345 872 6666, or fill in our online enquiry form and a member of the team will get back to you.
