How to sue for loss of sight involves proving that you sustained injuries as a result of a third party’s negligent conduct and seeking legal advice to determine your options. For instance, toxic material might have gotten into your eyes when a machine malfunctioned at work because the necessary risk assessments were not conducted. Or, you may have been in a collision with a speeding vehicle, leading to shattered windshield glass damaging the iris of your eye.
Whether or not your circumstances are similar, our panel of solicitors want to help people like you get the compensation that they deserve. The first step is to reach out for a free consultation. Our advisors are on hand 24/7 to listen to the details of your claim and advise you on your next steps, as well as provide tailored answers on the process of claiming. If you are connected with a solicitor from our panel, your legal representative will provide compassionate, expert support that prioritises you and handles all aspects of your compensation claim.
So, if you’d like to find out more about suing after sight loss, contact our advisors at a time that is convenient for you.
We are here to help you
Here at How To Sue, our expert advisors are on hand 24 hours a day 7 days a week to assess your compensation claim. Should you require free legal advice we can connect you to a specialist solicitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How To Sue For Loss Of Sight
- What Accidents Might Cause Sight To Be Lost?
- How Much Sight Loss Compensation Can I Sue For?
- What Will I Need To Sue For Sight Loss Compensation?
- Why Claim With How To Sue For Loss Of Sight Injuries?
- Can I Sue For Loss Of Sight On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Learn More
How To Sue For Loss Of Sight
To sue for loss of sight, you must be able to demonstrate that this resulted from injuries directly caused by the negligent actions or inactions of a third party. This is called negligence, which involves meeting the criteria detailed below:
- Legal Duty of Care – This refers to the legal obligation that specific parties have to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of anyone to whom they owe this duty. This is expected to be adhered to by employers, all road users, and occupiers of public spaces.
- Breach of Duty – A breach occurs when someone who owes a duty fails to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of anyone to whom this duty is owed. For instance, a breach may happened because an employer did not conduct risk assessments of workplace machinery or failed to provide protective eyewear for individuals working around hazardous chemicals.
- An injury or illness was suffered – If you can prove that your sight was lost as a result of the breach of duty that was owed to you, then you may be eligible to make a claim. As an example, you may have been involved in a collision with a speeding vehicle where shattered glass struck your face, causing a complete loss of sight in your right eye.
To have your eligibility assessed by one of our advisors, give us a call today.
What Accidents Might Cause Sight To Be Lost?
Accidents that might cause sight to be lost can take place at work, in a collision on the roads or an incident in a public place. Details for the possible accidents that can cause sight to be lost, as well as example scenarios, are discussed below:
Loss Of Sight After An Accident At Work
- You have been using a power tool to cut through a piece of metal, but your employer said they did not have goggles to provide you to protect your eyes. A splinter of metal cuts your eye, damaging your eyesight
Read our guide on accident at work claims for more information.
Sight Loss Caused By Road Traffic Accidents
- A driver took their eyes off the road to get something off the back seat and collided with you. This caused you to hit your face on the steering wheel, and the impact to your head has led to blurred eyesight.
Our guide on road traffic accidents provides more information.
Public Place Accidents Causing Loss Of Sight
- A pathway that the occupier of a building has not maintained caused you to trip and fall, leading to you hitting your face on the corner of a table. This blunt force has temporarily damaged your sight, and you are also left with a traumatic brain injury.
You can explore the process of claiming for your specific situation by reading our guide to public place accidents.
Loss Of Sight Caused By Medical Negligence
- To try to improve vision in your right eye, you undergo surgery. However, the surgeon fails to double-check your records and operates on your left eye instead. This leads to sight loss and causes you significant psychological distress.
More information on medical negligence claims can be found in our dedicated guide.
Criminal Injuries Leading To Sight Loss
If you have been hurt in a violent crime that has led to your sight being lost, you may be able to pursue a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). As a government-funded executive agency, the CICA maintains its own eligibility criteria and time limit for claiming.
The CICA also awards compensation under a fixed tariff, which is outlined in The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. You can learn more about the CICA claims process by reading our guide on how to sue for a criminal injury.
Regardless of the circumstances of your sight loss, you can expect nothing less than compassionate support from our advisory team. They are here to listen, address your questions clearly, and outline your options for seeking compensation. Please reach out today to get the information you need.
How Much Sight Loss Compensation Can I Sue For?
How much sight loss compensation you can sue for will typically depend on the extent and severity of your injuries and their effect on your finances. General damages is the head of claim that will compensate for the physical and psychological harm you have suffered. This head can also consider the effect on your quality of life, as sight loss may lead to social isolation or prevent you from driving, painting, or gardening.
Your solicitor may consult the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to determine a value for general damages. They might do so because this document lists suggested compensation brackets for many types of injury.
The table below lists entries from the JCG relating to various forms of sight loss, detailing the severity of each eye injury and the considerations that may influence payouts. These are only guidelines and therefore are not guaranteed. The first figure was not taken from the JCG.
| Injury | Severity | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple severe injuries + financial losses | Special damages may encompass a loss of earnings, travel costs, and expenses related to your rehabilitation | Up to £1million+ |
| Blindness | Blindness will be total | In region of £327,940 |
| Loss of sight in 1 eye, reduced vision in the remaining eye (i) | Further deterioration is a serious risk | £117,150 - £219,400 |
| Loss of sight in 1 eye with reduced vision in remaining eye (ii) | Claimant may also have additional problems, such as double vision | £78,040 - £129,330 |
| Total loss of 1 eye | Bracket will consider cosmetic impact, age, and psychiatric effects | £66,920 - £80,210 |
| Loss of sight in 1 eye | Sight loss will be complete | £60,130 - £66,920 |
| Incomplete loss of vision in 1 eye (f) | Will be serious but without remaining eye having significant risk of loss | £28,900 - £48,040 |
| Vision impairment in 1 or both eyes (g) | Impairment is permanent but minor | £11,120 - £25,600 |
| Minor eye injuries | Includes cases of eyes being struck or splashed with liquid | £4,820 - £10,660 |
| Transient eye injuries | Complete recovery within a couple of weeks | £2,690 - £4,820 |
Can I Sue For Financial Losses After Loss Of Sight?
Yes, you can sue for any financial losses after loss of sight if they are directly linked to the injuries you sustained. These are covered under the head of claim special damages and may include:
- Braille readers, digital magnifiers, big button telephones, accessible smartphones, and other specialist purchases
- Costs associated with having a guide dog, if one is needed
- Bus tickets or money spent on petrol to attend medical appointments
- Adjustments to your home so you can re-learn how to navigate around it, such as adding smart speakers or installing grab rails
- Hired help, such as cleaners and carers, and assistance from loved ones
- Therapy and private medical treatments, including surgery to fit a prosthetic eye
- Loss of earnings, extending to a future reduction in income
To be reimbursed under special damages, you will need to keep evidence of your expenses, such as receipts and invoices.
Call one of our advisors today to discuss special damages in more detail and find out how a solicitor from our panel could help you document your losses.
We are here to help you
Here at How To Sue, our expert advisors are on hand 24 hours a day 7 days a week to assess your compensation claim. Should you require free legal advice we can connect you to a specialist solicitor.
What Will I Need To Sue For Sight Loss Compensation?
To sue for sight loss compensation, you will need a sufficient amount of evidence to prove the fault that led to your eyesight being damaged. There are certain deadlines that also must be met to make your claim. Both are discussed below.
How To Prove Fault When Suing For Sight Loss
To prove fault when suing for sight loss, you will need to provide evidence that shows how your injuries were sustained because of the negligent actions of a third party. This commonly includes video footage, such as CCTV and dashcam recordings, as well as images documenting the accident scene.
More details on the documents you can begin gathering are available in our guide examining the evidence that may be needed for personal injury claims.
Is There A Time Limit To Suing For Loss Of Sight?
Yes, there is generally a 3-year time limit to suing for loss of sight, commencing from the date of the accident. There are some exceptions to when this rule applies, so please read our guide on the limitation period to find out more.
Our advisors are also on hand 24/7 to discuss any aspect of pursuing compensation for sight loss. You can do so at any time via one of the contact options listed in our guide.
Why Claim With How To Sue For Loss Of Sight Injuries?
If you claim with a solicitor from our panel at How To Sue for your loss of sight injuries, your case will benefit from a wealth of knowledge and experience. Our panel firmly believe that every case matters, and they appreciate just how devastating any sight loss can be for those affected. Here are just some of the ways that our panel can help clients:
- Advise on what evidence to gather to put you in a strong position to succeed, and take an active role in gathering these documents.
- Prioritise your recovery by facilitating access to ophthalmologists and other specialists.
- Answer any questions that you may have at any time.
- Provide a welcoming, supportive approach that breaks the process down for you and eases stress.
- Handle any legal documents and keep you updated on any changes with your claim.
These are just a few examples of the many ways our panel of solicitors can assist clients. Call an advisor today to hear more about how they can help your claim to succeed.
Can I Sue For Loss Of Sight On A No Win No Fee Basis?
Yes, you can sue for loss of sight on a No Win No Fee basis through a Conditional Fee Agreement offered by all the solicitors making up our panel. Claiming under a CFA means that you will not have to pay any solicitor fees for your representative’s services before or during the claims process.
Likewise, there will be no service fees paid to your solicitor if your claim is unsuccessful. It is when your claim is successful that you would pay a percentage of your compensation to your solicitor. This is known as a ‘success fee,’ and the percentage is limited by a legal cap.
Contact Our Advisors
By contacting our advisors, you can get a free and confidential assessment of the circumstances which led to your sight loss. Get in touch today by:
- Calling on 0800 408 7827
- Visit our page and complete the contact form
- Use our free live chat function
Learn More
Find more of our useful guides below:
- Find out how to claim for a broken cheekbone
- Here’s how you can claim compensation for hearing loss
- You may also be able to claim for psychological damage
For further reading to help with your claim:
- Here’s how you can find out whether you’re eligible for statutory sick pay
- Information on gradual vision loss can be found on the NHS website
- Learn how to report an accident at work from the Health and Safety Executive
Thank you for reading our guide on how to sue for loss of sight. We hope to help you with your claim soon.