Atlanta Eye Injury Lawyer | Blindness Attorneys

Types of Eye Injuries

When it comes to eye injuries, you may encounter several major types. A corneal abrasion happens when something scratches the surface of your eye, causing pain and discomfort. If a foreign object, like a piece of metal or wood, enters your eye, that’s a foreign body injury. A chemical burn can occur if any harmful substance, like cleaning agents or industrial chemicals, gets into your eye. Blunt trauma is another type, resulting from a hit or blow to the eye, often leading to bruising or more serious damage. Lastly, penetrating injuries are severe and happen when an object cuts or pierces the eye, which can lead to significant and sometimes permanent damage.

Causes of Eye Injuries

Eye injuries can be caused by a variety of events. Common causes include accidents at work, especially in industries where physical labor or machinery is involved. Sports-related incidents, particularly in contact sports or those involving balls and rackets, are also a frequent cause. Everyday activities, like cleaning or cooking, can lead to chemical burns if harmful substances splash into the eye. Car accidents are another common cause, where glass or debris can injure the eye. Lastly, physical fights or assaults can result in blunt trauma to the eye.

Blindness

The most severe outcome of an eye injury is blindness. One type is complete blindness, where you lose all sight, unable to perceive light or shapes. This might occur due to severe trauma to the eye or a catastrophic medical error during surgery. Partial blindness is another type, where your vision is severely limited, but you’re not entirely without sight. This can happen if a doctor fails to diagnose or treat conditions like glaucoma or retinal detachment in time, or if harmful eye drops cause significant damage to the eye’s internal structures.

Another form of blindness is legal blindness, defined in the U.S. as having a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better eye with the best possible correction, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less. This could result from a doctor’s failure to properly manage chronic eye conditions or from adverse reactions to certain eye drops. Cortical blindness occurs when an injury or medical error affects the brain’s visual cortex, not the eyes themselves, leading to vision loss.

Lastly, temporary blindness might occur due to exposure to harmful substances in eye drops or due to a negligent procedure, where vision loss is not permanent but still significantly impacts your life.

Liability for an Eye Injury

Determining who’s liable for an eye injury depends on how and where the injury occurred. If it happened at work, your employer might be responsible, especially if they didn’t provide proper safety equipment or training. In a car accident, the driver who caused the crash could be liable. If your injury occurred due to a defective product, the manufacturer might be at fault. Property owners can also be held responsible if your injury happened on their premises due to unsafe conditions. Lastly, in cases of assault, the individual who attacked you would be liable.

Types of Damages in an Eye Injury Case

In a typical lawsuit, you might be entitled to recover several types of damages. First are medical expenses, covering all your treatment costs, from initial care to any eye surgery or therapy needed. Lost wages are another key damage, compensating you for any income lost due to your inability to work after the injury. You might also get compensation for future lost earnings if your eye injury affects your long-term ability to work. Pain and suffering damages account for the physical pain and emotional distress you endure. If the injury leads to a lasting disability, you could receive compensation for this life-altering change. Lastly, if your injury affects your spouse or family, they might be eligible for loss of consortium damages, recognizing the impact on your relationships.

How an Eye Injury Lawyer Can Help

An eye injury lawyer plays an important role in your case. They will thoroughly investigate your accident, gathering evidence to prove who’s at fault. They’ll manage all the legal work, from filing your claim to negotiating with insurance companies or opposing parties. A lawyer will ensure all your damages are accounted for, including medical bills, lost wages, and even non-economic damages like pain and suffering. They’ll use their legal knowledge to advocate for your rights, fighting to get you the best possible compensation. With an eye injury lawyer by your side, you have a professional guiding you through the legal process, taking the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on recovery.

Immediate Actions After an Eye Injury

If you suffer an eye injury, acting quickly is key. First, seek medical attention, even if the injury seems minor; some eye injuries worsen over time or are more severe than they initially appear. Tell the doctor how you got injured, as this information is vital for your medical record and any future legal action. If the injury occurred at work, at a business, or in a public place, report it immediately to a manager or authority figure; this creates an official record of the incident. Gather evidence if you can; take photos of where the injury happened and get contact information of any witnesses. This will be useful for your legal case later. Keep all medical records and receipts related to your treatment; they’re important for claiming damages. Lastly, contact an eye injury lawyer as soon as possible. They can advise you on your rights and the next steps to take, ensuring you don’t miss any critical deadlines for legal action.