If you or a loved one have suffered vision loss in an accident that wasn't your fault, we can help you make a loss of sight claim for injury compensation.
We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.
Loss of Sight Claims
If you have suffered partial or complete loss of sight due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to make a loss of sight compensation claim. Vision loss could be caused by workplace accidents, road traffic accidents, substandard medical care, assaults, or defective products.
Compensation can help cover private medical treatments, rehabilitation, medical aids, and loss of earnings. It also reflects the pain, suffering and long-term impact of the injury and can reach substantial figures, especially in cases involving total blindness.
We work in partnership with specialist personal injury solicitors who handle loss of sight claims on a no win no fee basis and can guide you through every step of the claims process.
Call 0800 470 0472 today or request a call back to receive a free case assessment and legal advice with no obligation to proceed.
Key points about loss of sight claims
- Eligibility: You may be able to claim if negligence led to partial or total loss of sight, whether sudden or progressive.
- Negligent Causes: Claims often arise from medical negligence, workplace accidents, or head trauma incidents.
- Time Limit: You typically have 3 years from the date you became aware of the injury to start a claim.
- Compensation: Will reflect the severity of vision loss and include future care needs, adaptations, and loss of earnings.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will handle your case on a no win, no fee basis, with no charge unless your claim succeeds.
Table of Contents
What is a loss of sight claim?
A loss of sight claim is a type of personal injury claim that can be made by anyone who has suffered vision loss due to negligence. A claim can be made for many different types of vision loss, including:
- Partial sight loss or reduced vision.
- Peripheral or central vision damage.
- Loss of sight in one eye.
- Total blindness in both eyes.
- Temporary but serious vision impairment.
- Total loss of an eye.
Vision loss can significantly impact your quality of life and daily activities. In some cases, you may no longer be able to work or live independently. If you suffered temporary or permanent loss of sight, you may be entitled to compensation.
Can I make a compensation claim for sight loss?
You may be able to proceed with a compensation claim for loss of sight if the following criteria apply to your case:
- Another party owed you a duty of care.
- They breached this duty and caused an accident.
- You suffered vision loss due to their negligence.
- You are within the legal time limit to start a claim.
A specialist personal injury solicitor will be able to determine if you have a valid claim and a reasonable chance of success during a free consultation over the phone.
Who is liable for compensation for loss of sight?
In most loss of sight compensation claims, damages are paid by the defendant’s insurer rather than the individual personally. Based on the circumstances of your injury, the liable party could be:
- An employer, in case of workplace eye injuries caused by unsafe working conditions or failure to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
- A driver, if they caused a road traffic collision by failing to follow the Road Traffic Act 1988.
- A property owner or occupier, if hazardous premises led to your injury under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957.
- A manufacturer or supplier, if a defective product caused damage under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
- A healthcare provider (NHS or private), if substandard treatment caused sight loss.
Time limits for starting a loss of sight compensation claim
The Limitation Act 1980 sets a 3-year time limit for starting a claim for loss of sight. This will start from the date of an accident or the date your injury is diagnosed.
There are a few exceptions:
- You can make a child injury claim at any time before the child turns 18, as the three-year time limit generally only begins on a person’s 18th birthday.
- If a loved one cannot claim themselves because they lack mental capacity, the three-year time limit is paused, and you may be able to represent them as a litigation friend.
- You generally have two years to start a claim through the CICA if you were the victim of a criminal act.
What is the process for claiming compensation for loss of sight?
Making a loss of eyesight claim involves several different steps that every case will typically follow. The process starts with a free case assessment and ideally ends with receiving the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.
- Initial consultation – A specialist solicitor will evaluate your claim, explain your options and answer all your questions.
- Appointing your solicitor – If you can proceed, you will be paired with a specialist eye injury claims solicitor who will manage your case and give you legal advice.
- Gather evidence – Your solicitor will help you gather all the proof you need to support your claim, such as medical records, witness statements, and accident reports.
- A medical assessment – A free medical examination with a specialist will confirm the extent of your sight loss and link it to the defendant’s negligence.
- Submitting the claim – Your solicitor will send a letter of claim to the party at fault outlining the incident, injury, and the amount of compensation you are seeking.
- Negotiations – Most claims are settled through back-and-forth offers from both parties until you can all agree on a fair compensation payment.
- Court proceedings – If liability is denied or you cannot settle, your solicitor will be ready to represent you in court.
- Compensation – If your claim is successful, you will receive a compensation payment, typically within four weeks.
To start your claim today, call our team on 0800 470 0472 or enter your details here to request a free case assessment with a friendly legal adviser.
How much compensation can I claim for loss of sight?
Compensation for loss of sight can be substantial, depending on the extent of the eyesight loss and whether it is temporary or permanent.
Your personal injury lawyer will help you seek the maximum compensation owed to you, which will include two types of damages:
- General damages cover the pain, suffering and loss of amenities that your loss of sight injury has caused.
- Special damages cover all financial losses and expenses resulting from the injury, including private treatments, loss of earnings and earning capacity, assistive devices and care costs.
General damages are based on compensation guidelines from the Judicial College. According to the 18th Edition of these guidelines and our compensation calculator, you could receive the following awards, depending on the type and severity of your injury:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Injuries Affecting Sight | Sight loss in one eye with reduced vision in the other eye | £84,000 - £238,000 |
| Total loss of one eye | £72,000 - £87,000 | |
| Complete sight loss in one eye | £65,000 - £72,000 | |
| Serious partial sight loss in one eye | £31,000 - £52,000 | |
| Minor but permanent sight impairment in one or both eyes | £12,000 - £28,000 | |
| A minor eye injury causing some pain and temporary visual interference | £5,200 - £12,000 | |
| A temporary eye injury with full recovery within a few weeks | £2,900 - £5,200 |
To find out how much your claim for loss of vision could be worth, call 0800 470 0472 today for a free case assessment.
Can I claim compensation on a No Win No Fee basis?
If you are entitled to claim compensation for loss of sight, you will receive a 100% no win no fee agreement. The solicitors we partner with work exclusively under this agreement, which means that:
- You do not have to pay them a single penny to start your claim.
- If you win, your solicitor will get a success fee of up to 25% of the compensation awarded for your injuries and past financial losses.
- If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay them anything at all.
This service allows you to have the best legal representation regardless of your financial situation and without the added stress of taking a financial risk.
What evidence is needed to make a claim for loss of vision?
You will need various types of evidence to prove liability and the impact of the vision loss on your life. You could use:
- Photographs or videos of the accident scene.
- If available, CCTV or dashcam footage.
- Pictures of visible injuries, such as penetrating trauma, bruising or swelling.
- Official accident reports, such as from the police or a company’s accident report book.
- Statements from witnesses.
- Proof of faulty tools, machinery or other defective products.
- Medical records that document the initial injury and the treatments you received.
- A medical report from a specialist.
- A personal statement about the events and the impact on your life.
- Evidence of financial losses, such as receipts, payslips and invoices.
Frequently asked questions about loss of sight claims
- Road traffic accident claims – Common causes of loss of sight include blunt force trauma to the head or penetrating eye injuries caused by traffic collisions.
- Public place accident claims – Injuries to the eyes caused by slips, trips and falls or being hit by falling objects in places such as shops, restaurants or footpaths.
- Accident at work claims – Eye injuries and loss of sight at work can result from many incidents, including contact with toxic chemicals, machinery accidents and trauma from falls.
- Criminal injury claims – You could suffer sight loss as a result of direct or indirect trauma to the eyes involving punches, kicks, stab injuries or being hit with an object.
- Medical negligence claims – A misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, mistake during surgery, or even taking the wrong medication can all cause vision damage.
- Product liability claims – You could suffer loss of sight due to defective goggles, contaminated cosmetics, or even a car accident caused by malfunctioning brakes.
No matter how you experienced sight loss, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation.
For more information, see the NHS guidance on vision loss.
Your doctor may carry out an eye exam, imaging tests, blood tests or a neurological assessment to determine the cause and extent of your sight loss. Treatment will depend on the underlying issue and may include corrective lenses, medication, surgery, lifestyle changes or visual rehabilitation.
- Emotional and mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety and depression.
- Reduced mobility and a higher risk of injuries.
- Loss of independence and impact on everyday activities.
- Isolation from others and strain on relationships.
- Learning challenges and limitations in job and career opportunities.
- Financial strain due to loss of earning capacity, medical bills and care costs.
- Inability to pursue hobbies and leisure activities you used to enjoy.
A compensation claim is intended to cover the impact of the vision damage on your life, which can include your future care needs.
You can make a claim against the NHS, as well as against a private healthcare provider. None of them will be left out of pocket, so you will not affect the funds allocated for patient care, as your compensation will be covered by their insurer (in the case of the NHS, this will be NHS Resolution).
If you have suffered damage to your sight because your employer did not fulfil their legal obligations, you may be eligible to claim compensation from them. This is your legal right and should not put your job at risk, as unfair and constructive dismissal laws protect you.
The CICA is a government-funded organisation that compensates blameless victims of crime, even if the attacker is not caught. To qualify for a CICA claim, you must always report the incident to the police promptly and have a crime reference number.
Unlike most personal injury cases, CICA payments are based on a fixed tariff system, with awards of £22,000 for loss of vision in one eye and £110,000 for total blindness.
The court must formally approve you for this role. Once appointed, you can instruct solicitors, make decisions in your loved one’s best interests, and approve settlement offers from the defendant.
More complex cases, such as medical negligence or disputed liability claims, can take significantly longer. In some cases, your solicitor may be able to secure interim payments for you to cover your financial needs while the case is ongoing.
Court proceedings are usually only necessary if liability is denied or a fair settlement cannot be reached. If your case does go to court, your solicitor will guide and represent you throughout the process.
- A no win no fee service, so there is no financial risk to you.
- You will know the merits of your case and what kind of compensation you can expect.
- They will help you secure all the evidence you need to make a successful claim.
- They will handle all communication on your behalf.
- You can have peace of mind knowing that all legal aspects are being handled professionally.
