I’ve suffered a serious eye injury that’s affected my vision. Could I claim compensation?

One of our Serious Injury experts, specialising in eye injury claims, answers a common and important question for those affected by serious vision problems following an accident or incident.

‘’I’ve suffered a serious eye injury that’s affected my vision. Could I claim compensation?’’

Answer: “Yes, if your eye injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to claim compensation. Loss of vision or damage to your eyes can be life changing, affecting your ability to work, drive, and carry out everyday tasks. These injuries can happen in a range of situations, including accidents at work, road traffic collisions, medical or laser treatment errors, sporting incidents, or whilst serving in the armed forces. If your injury could have been avoided, we can help you understand whether you may be eligible to bring a claim.”

It is important to recognise that vision problems following an eye injury can also affect your ability to drive safely and legally. Where eyesight no longer meets the required standards, this can have a significant impact on independence, employment, and day to day life.

Understanding your legal position

In legal terms, making a claim usually involves showing that another person or organisation owed you a duty of care, that they failed to meet that duty, and that this failure directly caused your injury. The burden of proof sits with you as the claimant, meaning you must be able to show, on the balance of probabilities, that negligence occurred and caused your eye injury. The specific circumstances of how the injury happened will be key in determining whether a claim may be possible.

A serious eye injury can affect far more than your eyesight. Many people experience changes to their independence, confidence, and ability to carry out everyday tasks safely. Activities such as reading, using screens, travelling alone, or judging distances may become more difficult. In more serious cases, ongoing treatment, visual aids, or adjustments at home or work may be needed.

Eye injuries can arise in a wide range of situations where appropriate care or safety measures were not in place. In the workplace, for example, in construction this may involve a lack of suitable protective equipment, inadequate training, or unsafe systems of work. This can also include situations where there has been poor supervision or unsafe behaviour, such as horseplay, which an employer should have taken reasonable steps to prevent. In road traffic incidents, injuries may be caused by blunt force, debris, or shattered glass. There are also cases where medical treatment falls below an acceptable standard, including complications arising from procedures such as laser eye surgery.

To bring a claim, it is important to gather clear evidence to show how the injury happened and the impact it has had on your life. This will usually include medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and, where needed, expert evidence to help establish both the cause of the injury and its long term effects. Obtaining strong medical evidence is particularly important in eye injury claims, as it helps to clearly demonstrate the extent of the damage, the likely recovery or long term prognosis, and how your vision has been affected.

If a claim is successful, compensation is intended to reflect not only the pain and suffering caused by the injury, but also its financial and practical impact. This can include loss of earnings, the cost of medical treatment and rehabilitation, specialist equipment, and any future care or support you may need. Where vision loss is long-term or permanent, the wider effect on your independence and quality of life will also be carefully assessed.

It is also important to be aware that strict time limits apply. In most cases, you will have three years from the date of the injury, or from the date you became aware that negligence may have caused it, to bring a claim. Seeking legal advice early can make a significant difference, as it allows evidence to be gathered at the right time and helps ensure your position is properly understood from the outset.

If you have suffered a serious eye injury and want to understand whether you may be able to make a claim, call us on 0808 149 9561 for a free, no-obligation claims assessment and find out how we may be able to help.