People with healthy eyes and good vision often take their ability to see for granted. They never give a second thought to driving to work, watching their kids play sports, or viewing a movie or television show.

And then, the unthinkable happens and devastating eye injury occurs. Suddenly, their whole world goes dark. Simple tasks become monumental changes and the importance of vision becomes painfully clear. The effects are not just physical but emotional too, impacting their personal and professional life. The journey to recovery is often long and arduous.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious eye injury in Fort Worth or North Texas due to an accident that was caused by someone’s negligence, you may be entitled to substantial monetary compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Your next call needs to be to an experienced Fort Worth eye injury lawyer who has handled serious eye injury claims.

In this article, the personal injury lawyers at Varghese Summersett Injury Law Group explain eye injuries, the process for recovering compensation, and how our Fort Worth law firm can help. We understand that vision loss is life-altering which is why we will never add to you physical, emotional or financial burden.

We offer no-cost, no-obligation consultations – and if we take your case, we only get paid if we win it. That means you will never pay anything upfront or out-of-pocket.

 

Eye Injuries are Common

Serious eye injuries are common, especially in the workplace. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 20,000 eye injuries occur each year in the workplace, including on construction sites and in factories. In fact, the O ccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that workplace eye injuries cost an estimated $300 million a year in lost productivity, medical treatment, and worker’s compensation.

In Texas, employees are generally unable to file a lawsuit against their employer for workplace injuries if they are covered by worker’s compensation. However, a number of potential third-party claims can arise out of eye injury accidents due to negligence, which our Fort Worth eye injury lawyer explains further below. We will leave no stone unturned in holding each and every party responsible for your injury.

Types of Eye Injuries

An eye injury refers to any damage to the eyes that can affect vision or the structure of the eye. This can range from minor irritations to severe trauma that can lead to permanent damage, vision loss, and blindness. The severity and type of eye injury can greatly vary but here is an overview of common types of eye injuries:

Corneal Abrasions (Scratched Eye)

Corneal abrasions are scratches on the eye’s surface, often caused by foreign objects like dust or sand. They can cause discomfort, redness, and sensitivity to light. Even though they may seem minor, the injury must be treated to ensure the eye doesn’t become infected.

Foreign Bodies in the Eye

Metal shards, glass pieces, or any foreign object can lodge itself in the eye, causing severe pain and potential long-term damage. The object should be removed by an eye specialist to minimize the risk of severe, long-term damage.

Chemical and Thermal Burns

Exposure to harmful chemicals can cause burns to the eye, which requires immediate and thorough irrigation to remove the harmful substance and reduce the damage. Depending on the severity and the nature of the chemical, long-term effects can include corneal scarring, cataracts, glaucoma, or even complete loss of the eye.

Traumatic Iritis (Blunt Force Trauma)

Traumatic iritis is inflammation of the iris usually caused by blunt force trauma, such as a ball striking the eye or a punch. If left untreated, this condition can lead to complications such as glaucoma, cataracts, or vision loss, making it essential to seek immediate medical attention following any significant eye injury.

Orbital Fractures

Orbital fractures refer to breaks in the bones surrounding the eye, often caused by severe trauma. Orbital fractures can lead to serious complications, including double vision, numbness in the area due to nerve damage, or even a sunken eye appearance, medically known as enophthalmos. Timely medical intervention is crucial to prevent permanent damage and restore the function and appearance of the eye and surrounding structures.

 

Common Causes of Eye Injuries

Our Fort Worth eye injury lawyers are experienced in handling eye injury claims that stem from various situations, including but not limited to:

Workplace Accidents

Workplace accidents are a significant cause of eye injuries. Construction, manufacturing, and laboratory sites are high risk for eye injuries due to the nature of the work environment. Exposure to hazardous chemicals can result in chemical burns or blindness if protective eyewear is not provided or used properly. Similarly, flying debris or particles from machinery or tools can cause foreign bodies to become lodged in the eye, leading to corneal abrasions or even penetrating injuries. Heavy machinery or equipment mishandling can lead to blunt trauma, causing severe eye damage.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are another common cause of eye injuries. The forceful impact from car crashes can cause a variety of injuries, including orbital fractures, where the bones surrounding the eyes are broken, or retinal detachment, which can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly. In addition, shards of broken glass or airbag deployment can result in corneal abrasions, foreign bodies in the eye, or other ocular trauma.

Defective Products

Defective products are another common cause of eye injuries. This can include anything from faulty airbags in vehicles, to unsafe toys, to poorly designed or manufactured eyewear. For instance, an airbag that deploys improperly during a car accident can cause severe eye trauma. Similarly, toys with sharp edges or parts that can easily break off can cause serious harm if they strike the eye.

In the workplace, safety equipment like goggles or helmets that fail to perform as intended can lead to devastating eye injuries. When a product fails to function safely as intended, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer may be held liable for any resulting injuries. If you’ve suffered an eye injury due to a defective product, it’s crucial to retain the product and any associated packaging or instructions, as they may serve as crucial evidence in your claim.

Sports Injuries

Sports injuries, particularly in high-contact sports like basketball, baseball, or martial arts, are a frequent cause of eye injuries. A forceful blow to the eye can result in traumatic iritis, an inflammation of the iris, or hyphema, which is bleeding in the space between the cornea and iris. In addition, sports that involve small, fast-moving balls like squash or racquetball can result in blunt-force trauma to the eye.

Assaults

Assaults and physical violence are also common causes of eye injuries. These incidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from corneal abrasions to more severe injuries like orbital fractures or ruptured globes, depending on the force and nature of the assault. In addition to the physical damage, victims of assault may also experience psychological trauma, adding to the overall impact of the injury.

Regardless of the cause, all eye injuries should be taken seriously due to the potential for long-term consequences. If you’ve suffered an eye injury due to someone else’s negligence or intentional action, it is crucial to seek legal help promptly. Varghese Summersett can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

What to Do After an Eye Injury

When an eye injury occurs, it’s crucial to take immediate and appropriate action, not only to ensure the best possible medical outcome but also to protect your legal rights should you decide to pursue a personal injury claim. Here are the steps you should take:

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Your health should always be your top priority. Seek medical attention immediately, even if the eye injury seems relatively minor. A healthcare professional will be able to properly assess the damage and provide necessary treatment. Prompt medical attention also establishes a record of the injury, which can be critical in a personal injury case.

Document the Incident

As soon as you’re able, document everything you can about the incident. This includes the circumstances leading to the injury, the location, any potential witnesses, and the immediate aftermath. Take photographs of the scene and your injuries.

Retain All Medical Records

Keep all medical records related to your eye injury, including diagnostic tests, treatment and rehabilitation plans, prescriptions, and any other related documents. These records provide evidence of the severity of your injury and the treatment needed, which is crucial when seeking compensation.

Report the Injury

If your injury occurred at work or a place of business, report it to as soon as possible, following the company’s reporting procedures. If the injury resulted from a motor vehicle accident, a police report should be filed. If the injury was due to an assault, report it to the police immediately.

Avoid Discussing the Incident

Avoid discussing the details of your injury and the incident with anyone other than your lawyer, particularly on social media. Anything you say could potentially be used against you during the claims process.

Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have sustained a serious eye injury, it’s important to contact a Fort Worth eye injury lawyer as soon as possible. They can guide you through the legal process, help you understand and protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

At Varghese Summersett Injury Law Group, we operate on a contingency fee basis. There’s no cost for a consultation, no upfront fees, and you won’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case. If you’ve suffered an eye injury and are interested in pursuing a claim, don’t hesitate to call us at (817) 207-4878 (HURT).

Types of Compensation for Eye Injuries

If you have suffered an eye injury due to another person’s or company’s negligence, you may be entitled to various types of compensation for your damages, including:

Economic Damages

Economic damages for eye injury claims are designed to compensate the victim for the financial losses directly related to the injury and may include:

• Medical Expenses

This includes costs for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and any other medical treatments related to the eye injury. It also includes future medical expenses for ongoing care or surgeries that may be required.

• Rehabilitation Costs

Eye injuries often require extensive rehabilitation, including physical therapy to adapt to vision loss, occupational therapy to relearn everyday tasks, and possibly psychological therapy to cope with the emotional impact of the injury.

• Assistive Devices and Services

If the eye injury results in significant vision loss, the cost of assistive devices such as service dogs, white canes, or adaptive technology can be included in economic damages. Similarly, if home modifications are needed to accommodate the vision loss, those costs can also be claimed.

• Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity

If the eye injury caused you to miss work or reduced your ability to work, you can seek compensation for lost wages. If the injury affects your ability to earn a living in the future, you can also seek compensation for loss of earning capacity.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages in eye injury claims refer to the intangible losses that do not have a direct monetary value but significantly impact the quality of life of the injured person. In Texas, these might include:

• Pain and Suffering

This refers to the physical pain and discomfort resulting from the eye injury. It also includes future physical pain that the person is likely to experience due to the injury.

• Emotional Distress

Emotional distress encompasses the psychological impact of the injury, such as anxiety, depression, fear, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also includes any future emotional distress the person is likely to experience.

• Loss of Enjoyment of Life

If the eye injury has resulted in a decreased ability to enjoy life or partake in activities that the person once enjoyed, compensation can be sought for this loss.

• Disfigurement

If the eye injury results in a permanent visible change, such as scarring or the loss of an eye, the person can seek damages for the psychological impact of living with a disfigurement.

• Loss of Consortium

This refers to the loss of a familial relationship due to the injury, such as the impact of the injury on the relationship between spouses or between a parent and child.

Punitive Damages

Texas law allows for punitive damages in cases where the responsible party’s conduct was particularly egregious or reckless. These damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

Remember, every case is unique and requires a detailed examination of the damages incurred. The team at Varghese Summersett Injury Law Group is experienced in handling eye injury claims and can help calculate the and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Potential Third-Party Claims in Texas for Workplace Eye Injury Accidents

In Texas, employees are generally unable to file a lawsuit against their employer for workplace injuries if they are covered by worker’s compensation. However, a number of third-party claims can arise out of eye injury accidents due to negligence. These potential third-party defendants could include:

Manufacturers of Defective Products

If a faulty piece of equipment or machinery caused your eye injury, the manufacturer of that equipment could potentially be held liable. This also applies to manufacturers of defective safety equipment, like goggles or helmets. This is known as product liability.

Property Owners

If your injury occurred on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions, the property owner could potentially be held responsible. This is known as premises liability.

Contractors and Subcontractors

In many workplaces, especially in construction or industrial settings, multiple parties are involved in operations. If a contractor or subcontractor’s negligence led to your eye injury, they could be held liable.

Drivers and Transportation Companies

If your eye injury occurred in a motor vehicle accident while you were working, you might be able to pursue a claim against the negligent driver or their employer.

Navigating these potential claims can be complex. It’s crucial to work with a skilled personal injury attorney who understands the intricacies of Texas law and can help you explore all avenues of compensation. Varghese Summersett Injury Law Group’s experienced team is ready to help. Call us today at (817) 207-4878 for a free consultation.

How a Fort Worth Eye Injury Lawyer Can Help

An experienced eye Fort Worth eye injury lawyer, like the team at Varghese Summersett, can play a crucial role in securing compensation for your injuries. Here’s how:

Investigating the Accident

We will thoroughly investigate the incident to determine who is at fault. This process may involve examining accident reports, speaking to witnesses, and engaging experts.

Assessing Damages

We will calculate the full extent of your damages, taking into account both current and future costs related to your injury.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. We will negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive a fair settlement.

Representing You in Court

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf and advocate for your interests in court. If necessary, we will take your case to trial.

Speak to a Fort Worth Eye Injury Lawyer.

If you or someone you love sustained an eye injury or vision loss and believe another person or entity is liable, it’s important to contact a Fort Worth eye injury lawyer as soon as possible. We can help. The team at Varghese Summersett Injury Law Group understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll an eye injury can have. Our team is committed to helping victims get the compensation they deserve.

We know you are going through a tough time, which is why we operate on a contingency fee basis, which means there’s no cost for a consultation, no upfront fees, and you won’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case. Don’t wait – contact us today at (817) 207-4878 (HURT).

 

FAQs about Texas Eye Injury Case