If you have suffered eye damage in an accident that wasn't your fault, we can help you make a no win no fee eye injury claim for compensation
We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.
Eye Injury Claims
Eye injuries can happen in many situations, including workplace accidents, medical negligence, and road traffic accidents. Because the eye is extremely delicate, even a minor impact can lead to pain, vision problems or long-term complications.
If you suffered eye damage due to someone else’s negligence, such as an employer or road user, you might be entitled to make an eye injury claim.
While most claims are for relatively mild injuries with a full recovery, some eye injuries can cause permanent vision loss or complete blindness.
To find out if you have a valid claim for eye injury compensation, call 0800 470 0472 today or request a call back. If you can proceed, your solicitor will offer you a no win no fee service and guide you through all the steps of the claims process.
Key points about eye injury claims
- Eligibility: You can claim if your eye injury was caused by someone else’s negligence in the workplace, a public place or elsewhere.
- Common Causes: Eye injuries may be caused by flying debris, hazardous chemicals, lack of protective equipment, or medical negligence.
- Time Limit: You generally have 3 years from the date of the accident or diagnosis to begin a claim.
- Compensation: Can cover vision loss, pain, cosmetic effects, psychological harm, and financial losses.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will act on a no win, no fee basis — you only pay a fee if your claim is successful.
Table of Contents
What are eye injury compensation claims?
An eye injury compensation claim is a type of personal injury claim that you could make if you suffered eye damage because of someone else’s fault.
The purpose of the claim is to help you get compensation for the pain, emotional distress and financial losses caused by the injury, including medical treatment and loss of earnings.
This guide explains who is eligible to claim, who may be held liable, how compensation is calculated, and what to expect during the eye injury claims process.
Am I eligible to make an eye injury claim?
Yes. If you suffered an eye injury at work, in a road accident or in any other circumstance, you may be able to make a claim. A specialist eye injury solicitor will take on your case if the following can be proven:
- Another party owed you a duty of care legally.
- They breached their duty by acting negligently.
- You suffered eye damage as a result.
- You are within the legal time limit to make a claim (usually 3 years).
Who is liable to pay compensation for eye injuries?
Various parties may be held responsible for an eye injury. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, your solicitor will use various laws to prove liability, such as:
- The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – Employers are liable if an eye injury occurs at work due to unsafe equipment, lack of protective eyewear, or poor safety procedures.
- The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 – You can make a public liability claim if you were injured in a gym, shop or restaurant due to an unsafe environment.
- The Road Traffic Act 1988 – Claims can be made against drivers, cyclists, or motorcyclists who caused a traffic accident resulting in eye injuries.
- The Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Manufacturers or retailers may be liable if a defective product caused your eye injury.
Is there a time limit to start an eye injury claim?
Yes, there is a general 3-year time limit to start any personal injury claim, including for injuries to the eyes. This begins from the date of the accident or from when the injury is diagnosed (the date of knowledge).
There are a few exceptions to the claim limitation date:
- You could claim on behalf of a child until they turn 18, regardless of when they were injured.
- There is no time limit to start a claim for an individual who lacks the mental capacity to conduct legal proceedings themselves.
- If you’ve suffered an eye injury due to a violent crime, you have 2 years to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
- You have 7 years to claim compensation through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) if you were injured in the military.
How do I claim compensation for an eye injury?
To start an eye injury compensation claim, all you need to do is contact a personal injury solicitor. They will guide you through all the steps and help you gather the evidence you need to start your claim, which could include:
- Medical records and specialist reports – These will prove the type and severity of your eye injury, the treatments received and your prognosis.
- Visual evidence – Photographs of the accident scene and your injuries, including CCTV and dashcam footage if available.
- Workplace records – Copies of accident reports, maintenance and training records, and other evidence showing a breach of safety in the workplace.
- Witness statements – Testimony from others who witnessed the accident, as well as your written details.
- Financial proof – Evidence of lost wages and other losses you incurred due to the injury.
If the defendant admits liability, you can begin to negotiate a fair compensation amount. If they deny it, your solicitor will issue court proceedings, but going to trial is very unlikely as almost all cases (over 97%) are settled out of court.
How much compensation for an eye injury can I claim?
The amount of compensation awarded for a successful eye injury claim will depend on various factors:
- The type and extent of the eye damage.
- The emotional and psychological impact you suffered as a result.
- Whether you were partially at fault for the injury.
- The financial costs and losses you incurred.
The compensation you may be able to claim will cover two types of damages:
Special damages awarded for financial losses and out-of-pocket expenses, such as:
- Lost earnings due to taking time off work and loss of earning capacity.
- The care and assistance you received during recovery.
- Any modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate a disability.
- The cost of eye prostheses and assistive technology.
- Medical expenses for consultation fees, medication, interventions and hospital stay.
- Any other extra costs you had to cover, such as travel costs and accommodation.
General damages, awarded for subjective, non-pecuniary losses, such as:
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Mental anguish and emotional trauma.
- Physical injury and impairment.
- Lowered quality of life.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Loss of ability to participate in sports and hobbies.
Examples of personal injury compensation awards in eye injury claims
According to the 18th Edition of the Judicial College Guidelines, you could receive the following compensation for general damages, based on the type and severity of your eye injury and its impact on your life:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Injuries Affecting Sight | A temporary eye injury with full recovery within a few weeks | £2,900 - £5,200 |
| A minor eye injury causing some pain and temporary visual interference | £5,200 - £12,000 | |
| Minor but permanent sight impairment in one or both eyes | £12,000 - £28,000 | |
| Serious partial sight loss in one eye | £31,000 - £52,000 | |
| Complete sight loss in one eye | £65,000 - £72,000 | |
| Total loss of one eye | £72,000 - £87,000 | |
| Sight loss in one eye with reduced vision in the other eye | £84,000 - £238,000 |
Can I claim for an eye injury using a no win no fee solicitor?
Yes. If you are able to claim compensation, an experienced eye injury solicitor will gladly offer you a no win no fee service. Claiming under a conditional fee agreement means that:
- You do not have to pay any upfront fees.
- You can have the certainty that your claim is valid and has a real chance of success.
- If you win, your solicitor receives a success fee capped at 25% of certain parts of your compensation.
- You won’t owe them a single penny if your case is lost.
What are the most common types of eye injury?
The most common types of eye damage that may lead to a successful eye injury compensation claim include:
A more severe injury can permanently affect your sight and increase the risk of infection. It is advisable to seek medical attention as soon as possible and speak to a solicitor if the injury to your eye was due to negligence.
A detached retina will usually require surgical treatment. Recovery time may range from 2 to 6 weeks, during which you may need to take time off work and may require help with daily tasks.
It is essential that the correct equipment and training are available when working around hazardous substances to prevent eye injuries caused by chemicals.
Eye bleeding is usually painless and does not require treatment. The eye should return to normal appearance within several weeks without causing complications such as temporary or permanent vision loss.
An orbital fracture is a severe injury and a medical emergency which may cause temporary or permanent blindness.
What are the leading causes of eye injury claims?
The most common causes of eye injuries that may lead to a claim for compensation include:
Employers must carry out regular risk assessments and remove hazards. When this is unattainable, they should provide adequate training and equipment, such as face shields and goggles.
- Blunt trauma from the airbag opening or hitting your head against a hard surface. These may cause retinal detachment, eye bleeding and even orbital bone fractures.
- Flying debris or shattered glass may cause cuts, lacerations and corneal abrasions. These may cause a lot of pain and discomfort and require surgery to avoid vision loss.
Some examples of medical and optician negligence claims include:
- Failure to give appropriate advice on the risks and benefits of a procedure
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of glaucoma or high blood pressure in the eyes
- Surgical accidents, including laser surgery complications
- Inappropriate or delayed treatment
Medical negligence during childbirth can also cause eye injuries to babies. These include mishandling tools or using unnecessary force during delivery, which may result in permanent vision impairment in one or both eyes.
Your local council and every business owner have the duty to keep all public spaces well maintained and free of hazards. If you suffer an injury due to their negligence, you could claim compensation from the council or a private business for the eye damage you sustained.
Between July 2004 and May 2008, there were 63 cases of eye damage in British Armed Forces deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, of which 48 were severe eye injuries.
An attack with a sharp object, bat or gun can cause retinal detachment, deep lacerations, permanent loss of vision or even the loss of an eye. Victims of violent crimes could claim compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
You might think that sports injuries are nobody’s fault, but some could be prevented by taking all the appropriate safety measures. If your accident was due to faulty equipment or poorly maintained facilities, you might have a valid eye injury claim.
Regardless of whether you suffered an eye injury at work or in any other scenario, an expert solicitor might be able to help you claim compensation. To find out if you have a valid eye injury claim, enter your details into our online claim form or call 0800 470 0472 to speak to a legal adviser.
