Find out how much compensation for a fractured eye socket you could claim if you have been injured in an accident that wasn't your fault.
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How Much Compensation For a Fractured Eye Socket?
If you’ve suffered a fractured eye socket due to someone’s negligence, you may be entitled to make a claim. The amount of compensation you could receive for a fractured eye socket will depend on the severity of the injury, the impact on your life and any related financial losses.
A fractured eye socket can result from various incidents, including road traffic accidents, workplace accidents, sports, falls and criminal assaults. Beyond immediate suffering, it can cause long-term complications, such as vision loss, double vision and chronic pain.
This guide explains how much compensation for a fractured eye socket you could receive and the circumstances under which you can make a claim. Our team of specialist solicitors are here to guide you through the claims process, providing support and advice every step of the way.
Call us free on 0800 470 0472 for an assessment of how much compensation you could receive for a fractured eye socket or request a call back.
Table of Contents
What is a fractured eye socket?
The eye socket is a bony cavity within the skull, composed of seven bones, whose primary function is to protect the eyes from injury. A fractured eye socket, also known as an orbital fracture, occurs when you break one or more of these bones.
There are three main types of broken eye sockets:
- Blowout fractures are the most common and affect the inner wall of the eye socket. They are typically caused by getting hit with something like a fist or a baseball bat.
- Orbital rim fractures affect the outer edges of the socket and are most commonly caused by impact trauma during car accidents.
- Orbital floor fractures affect the bottom part of the eye socket, causing it to be pushed down. These also affect the muscles and nerves surrounding the eye.
How do I know if I suffered an eye socket fracture?
If you have been in an accident and notice any of the following signs and symptoms, you may have a fractured eye socket:
- Pain in the eye and around it.
- Swelling of your cheek, forehead or under the eye.
- Blue, purple or black bruising around the eye.
- Blurred, double or decreased vision.
- Difficulty moving the eye.
- Blood in the white part of the eye.
- Eyeballs that appear sunken or bulge outwards.
- Loss of sensation in the eyelids, cheek, upper lip or forehead.
If you suspect an eye socket fracture, you should seek prompt medical care. Diagnosis involves a combination of eye scans and exams. Treatment will depend on the type and severity of the injury and does not always require surgery. For further general information, you can consult NHS guidance on orbital fractures.
What could be the long-term effects of a fractured eye socket?
While most fractures heal without long-term effects, if your injury was severe, you could suffer various complications, even with prompt diagnosis and treatment. These include:
- Persistent double vision or blurred vision.
- A decrease in vision and even blindness, if there is damage to the optic nerve.
- Changes in the shape or position of the eye, such as sunken eyeballs.
- Chronic pain or discomfort around the eye.
- Scarring and other cosmetic concerns.
- Emotional trauma from the accident and your prognosis.
- Dry eyes or chronic sinus infections.
These long-term effects will influence the amount of compensation awarded to you if you make a successful eye injury claim.
Am I eligible to claim compensation for a broken eye socket?
The easiest way to determine if you can make a personal injury claim following an orbital fracture is through a free consultation with a legal adviser. They will be able to determine if:
- Another party, such as a driver or your employer, owed you a legal duty of care.
- They breached this duty and caused you to be involved in an accident.
- Your broken eye socket is a direct result of their negligence.
- You are within the legal time limit to make a claim (generally 3 years, though certain exceptions can apply).
If these apply to your case, you may be able to proceed with a broken eye socket claim.
How is compensation for a fractured eye socket calculated?
The compensation for an eye injury, including for a fractured eye socket, is calculated by looking at both the physical impact of the injury and the financial losses it causes you. This is usually split into two types of damages:
General damages
General damages cover the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by the injury. For an eye socket fracture, this could include:
- The physical pain and discomfort caused by the injury and related treatments.
- Any related psychological trauma, such as anxiety, depression or PTSD.
- The impact on your ability to enjoy hobbies and participate in social activities.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- The long-term disability caused by the injury, such as reduced vision.
General damages depend on the type and severity of the fracture. These are usually assessed following an independent medical appointment with a specialist who will examine your injuries and your medical records. Your solicitor will arrange this on your behalf free of charge.
Special damages
Special damages cover any financial costs, losses and expenses directly caused by your fractured eye socket injury. Examples include:
- Loss of earnings and earning capacity.
- Medical expenses for private consultations, surgery or prescriptions.
- Travel expenses to and from medical appointments.
- Care costs if you need help with daily activities during recovery.
- The cost of glasses or other medical equipment.
- Any necessary adjustments to your home or vehicle.
- Damage to personal items.
The compensation for special damages is calculated based on documents such as receipts, pay slips, invoices, and bank statements.
Examples of fractured eye socket compensation payouts
Based on the current recommendation from the Judicial College Guidelines (18th Edition), you could receive compensation in the following guideline ranges:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Injuries Affecting Sight | Total loss of one eye | £72,000 - £87,000 |
| Complete sight loss in one eye | £65,000 - £72,000 | |
| Minor but permanent sight impairment in one or both eyes | £12,000 - £28,000 | |
| A temporary eye injury with full recovery within a few weeks | £2,900 - £5,200 | |
| Le Fort Fractures Of Facial Bones | £31,000 - £49,000 | |
| Multiple Facial Fractures | £20,000 - £32,000 | |
| Fractured Cheekbone | A simple cheekbone fracture requiring surgery, with complete recovery | £5,800 - £8,500 |
| Fractured Nose | A displaced nose fracture requiring surgery, with complete recovery | £5,200 - £6,700 |
For tailored advice on how much compensation for a fractured eye socket you may be eligible to claim, do not hesitate to seek legal advice. You can request a free case assessment by calling 0800 470 0472 or using our online contact form.
How much compensation could I receive if I were partly at fault for my eye injury?
If you were partly at fault for your broken eye socket, you may still be able to claim eye injury compensation. However, the amount awarded to you may be reduced due to your contributory negligence. This will be expressed as a percentage.
For example, if your claim is valued at £40,000 but you are found to be 25% at fault for your injury, you would only be awarded £30,000. Examples of contributory negligence in broken eye socket claims include:
- Not wearing a seatbelt in a car accident.
- Not using the personal protective equipment (PPE) provided by your employer.
- Ignoring warning signs.
- Engaging in horseplay or acting recklessly.
- Failing to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or motorcycle.
How much compensation for a fractured eye socket could I claim on behalf of my child?
If your child suffered a broken eye socket due to someone else’s negligence, you could claim compensation on their behalf as a litigation friend.
The amount that could be awarded to your child will be calculated as in any other case, based on the two types of damages mentioned above. The claim can include any lost wages you incurred while taking care of them, as well as home tutors and other related expenses.
Because children are still developing, the long-term effects, such as impaired vision, facial scarring, or psychological trauma, can significantly increase the value of the claim.
How much compensation for a fractured eye socket abroad?
If you were injured abroad and your holiday was booked as part of a package, you may be able to claim in the UK under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. In this case, the compensation for your injuries will be calculated based on the Judicial College Guidelines.
If you travelled independently, you may still be able to claim directly against the responsible party in the country where the accident occurred. In this case, whether you can claim and the level of any compensation awarded to you will depend on each country’s rules and calculation methods and could be higher or lower than in the UK.
What accidents could lead to a fractured eye socket compensation claim?
A fractured eye socket can result from many different types of accidents, including:
- Road traffic accidents where the head or face hits the dashboard, steering wheel, airbag or pavement if the road user is a pedestrian or rider.
- Workplace accidents involving falling objects, impact with moving machinery parts, or falls from height.
- Slips, trips and falls in public places such as shops, restaurants or on walkways.
- Sports incidents, such as forceful collisions with other players, punches in boxing or horse riding accidents.
- Criminal assaults involving direct blows to the face with a weapon, fists or kicks.
As long as the accident was at least in part due to someone else’s negligence, you could be able to make a claim for a broken eye socket.
Will my job be affected if I claim for a workplace eye injury?
No, making a workplace accident claim should not in itself affect your job. Your employer owes you a duty of care to keep you safe at work. If they breach it and you suffer an eye socket fracture, you have the legal right to make a compensation claim.
This right is protected by employment law, including the Employment Rights Act 1996, which means your employer should not dismiss you or subject you to detriment simply because you made a fair claim. If they do so, you may be entitled to start a separate claim for unfair or constructive dismissal.
No matter how much compensation for a fractured eye socket you are awarded, your employer will not be left out of pocket. They must hold Employer’s Liability insurance for personal injuries to employees, and this will cover your claim.
What evidence is needed to make an eye socket fracture claim?
The types of evidence that you could use to support your claim and secure the maximum compensation for a fractured eye socket include:
- Medical records detailing your injury and prognosis.
- A medical report from an independent specialist assessing the long-term consequences of your injury.
- Photographs or videos of the accident that caused your injury.
- Pictures of your broken eye socket, your recovery and the long-term effects.
- Statements from witnesses to your accident or family members who saw how it has affected you.
- A diary of your symptoms and how the fracture has impacted your life.
- Financial documents to prove related losses and expenses, such as receipts and invoices.
What is the time limit to claim eye fracture compensation?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you typically have 3 years from the date of your accident to start a claim for compensation. Having said that, there are a few exceptions that may apply to your case:
- A parent or legal guardian can make a claim on behalf of a child at any time before the child’s 18th birthday.
- If the injured person is mentally incapacitated, the limitation date is suspended, and a litigation friend could represent them at any time.
- If your injury was due to a criminal assault, you have two years to make a claim through the CICA, and you must have reported it to the police.
Once you start your claim, it can take anywhere from a few months to several years to be settled. You can read more about this here: How long does a personal injury claim take?
Can I claim for a fractured eye socket on a No Win No Fee basis?
If you are entitled to compensation for a broken eye socket, our team of personal injury solicitors will represent you under a conditional fee agreement (more commonly known as no win, no fee). This means that:
- You will not have to pay any upfront legal fees.
- If you lose the claim, you won’t pay your solicitor at all.
- If you win compensation, your solicitor will deduct a success fee capped at 25% of certain elements of your compensation.
Start your personal injury claim today!
If you’ve fractured your eye socket and believe you could be entitled to claim compensation, do not hesitate to seek legal advice. The sooner you start the claims process, the easier it is to gather evidence and build a strong case.
To start your claim and find out how much compensation for a fractured eye socket you could receive, call 0800 470 0472 today for a free consultation or request a call back.
