Serious harm can be caused by injuries to the eyes. It can result in loss of sight in one eye, total blindness, or even impaired vision. If you or anyone you know has suffered from a serious eye injury, you should work with a skilled lawyer to help your family move forward. The best way to move forward is to have your lawsuit evaluated by a skilled personal injury attorney who can offer advice on your legal rights and options.
Serious harm can be caused by injuries to the eyes. It can result in loss of sight in one eye, total blindness, or even impaired vision. If you or anyone you know has suffered from a serious eye injury, you should work with a skilled lawyer to help your family move forward. The best way to move forward is to have your lawsuit evaluated by a skilled personal injury attorney who can offer advice on your legal rights and options.
Blindness refers to the absence or loss of perceiving visual images. This can be permanent or temporary. Blindness can occur because of a wide variety of reasons. Many forms of blindness can be improved medicinally or improved surgically with technological innovations. Damage to the optic nerve, any part of the eye, or any part of the brain can potentially result in blindness.
Eye injuries are a major cause of blindness, whether chemical or physical. Eye injuries can involve getting a removable or benign substance in the eye or having permanent vision loss.
Blindness Caused by Common Accidents
Blindness can occur due to the following types of accidents among others:
- Dangerous Toys
- Chemicals
- Car Accidents
- Side Effects from Dangerous Drugs
- Defective Products
- Dog Bites
- Workplace Accidents
- Fires and Explosions
Other accidents that may result in blindness include:
Chemical Burns and Exposure
Chemical burns can take place in several ways. They are usually the result of liquid splashing in the eye. Some chemicals, such as household soap, sunscreen, or tear gas are mainly irritants. Alkalis and acids are usually considered high-risk substances which may result in blindness. Alkalis are usually found in ammonia-based products or drain cleaners while acids are found in batteries.
Iris Injuries and Corneal Abrasions
The cornea is transparent skin that covers the eye. It can easily get scratched by protruding objects or tree branches. Iris is the colored portion of the eye. Being hit by a club, fist, or a blunt object can result in iris related injuries. This injury can cause inflammation of the eye.
Common Forms of Eye Injury
These are a few common types of eye injuries:
Hyphemas
This involves bleeding in the front of the eye. It can be because of being kicked in the face or getting hit with a projectile.
Lacerations
These are cuts that occur from a fall or a sharp object.
Ultraviolet keratitis
This refers to a common light-induced trauma that is simply a cornea burn. Arc welding, the sun, and tanning can result in dangerous ultraviolet light entering the eye.
Foreign objects
The human eye is designed to withstand flying objects. But, fast blinking responses and eyelashes are a poor substitute for eye protection. Grit, sand, and other particles may become a threat to the functioning of the eye. Glass, projectiles, and other debris tend to be even more dangerous. Victims may end up suffering cuts or scratches on their eyeballs as well because of days of irritation.
Burns
Several sources can cause burn damages that go deeper than skin level. Fire, heat, chemical exposure, and spilled liquid can cause spotty vision by entering the worker’s eye. It can also result in blindness in one or both eyes.
Bright lights
Many forms of occupation, such as welders or lifeguards expose workers to bright lights. They are equally at risk as compared to flash or explosions from a defective electrical object if not provided with adequate safety measures.
Head injuries
Workers may suffer blindness after being hit on the head. This can be because of a head injury or a sudden impact resulting in brain damage. Trips, slips, and falls or car accidents may result in trauma to the head or face causing irreparable vision damage.
Eye Injury Because of Airbag Deployment
The primary purpose of an airbag is to prevent the face from going through or hitting the windshield. However, they are also the cause of devastating injuries, including loss of vision in one or both eyes. Airbag deployment can cause fractured eye socket or traumatic iritis.
Complications Arising Out of Blindness
There are several complications to being blind. This includes anxiety and depression because the victim loses the ability to witness the world around them. Blind people may feel extremely isolated. They may even feel nervous in connecting with people they can no longer see.
Most people with a recent eye injury or blindness may have to take classes to understand how to get around. Color blindness has the added complication of finding it difficult to interpret street signs.
Filing Eye Injury Claims in New York
Eye injury lawsuits in New York City can be brought forth if one party was negligent towards another that resulted in the eye injury. This can be because of one person physically assaulting another. It can also be because of medical malpractice.
There are two types of these lawsuits:
Negligence
This refers to a legal theory in which the injured party can recover damages caused by the carelessness of another. The person is termed negligent if they behave in a careless manner. Everybody owes a duty of reasonable care to each other. Reasonable care can be explained as the ordinary level of care employed by a prudent person.
Medical malpractice
Medical malpractice specifically refers to the negligence of a medical practitioner or a healthcare professional that results in the injury of a patient. This is when the professional owed a reasonable duty of care to the patient. This involves a vast category of professionals that are held to a certain standard of care. It is highly likely that the professional would be held liable if they deviate from that reasonable standard of care.
Cause of Injuries Needs to be Proved by Blindness Attorneys
The amount of damages you can claim (assuming the other party is at fault) depends on proving the entirety with which blindness has impacted your life. You could have bilateral blindness (both eyes) or unilateral blindness (single eye). In either case, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit if it was caused by malpractice or an accident.
The cause of the eye injury is the primary factor in determining whether you have a lawsuit or not. Your lawyer will also have to determine if any corporation or person was negligent. Blindness lawsuits often revolve around accidents where there is impact or trauma to the eyes. Medical malpractice resulting in eye-related illnesses, injuries, or complete retinal detachment may also form the basis for a personal injury lawsuit.
Liability in Eye Injury Lawsuits in New York City
The nature of where and how an injury occurred will form the basis of the persons or entities that can be held liable for the eye injury. These are a few examples of parties that may be held liable for eye injuries. These include but are not limited to:
- Employers can be held liable if the eye injury occurred while you were performing a work-related job.
- Companies manufacturing chemical equipment or products may be held liable for the eye injury if it directly resulted in it. However, the manufacturers cannot be held responsible if the victim failed to read provided directions or took actions that may have contributed to the injury on their own.
- Doctors that are negligent in their medical duty can be held liable for the resulting injuries. This is usually the case with LASIK eye surgery where eye injuries are concerned.
- Sports facilities owners need to take reasonable precautions for ensuring the safety of everybody using their facilities. Failure to not take these precautions may result in them being held responsible for the damages and injuries arising out of their negligence.
- People committing crimes, such as battery or assault may be held liable for eye injuries arising from these actions. The negligent vehicle driver is a common example of this type of at-fault party.
Handling All Eye Injuries Cases in New York
At Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, we understand that injuries involving or affecting your eyes can result in devastating consequences. This is why we try our best to acquire a substantial financial recovery that can help you get on with your life. We will do everything possible to hold the at-fault parties accountable for their actions and get you the compensation you rightfully deserve. These are a few types of eye injuries we represent:
- Optic neuritis
- Diplopia (also called double vision)
- Photophobia
- Puncture wounds
- Ruptured globe
- Retinal detachments
- Damage to tear ducts
- Damage to the lens
- Corneal Abrasion
- Swelling
- Lagophthalmos
- Hyphema
- Orbital fractures
- Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
- Cuts and abrasions, and more
Speak With a New York City Eye Injury Attorney Today
Do not hesitate to consult with the legal team at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff if you have recently suffered an eye injury because of the carelessness of another. Our capable blindness accident lawyers handle a wide variety of eye injury lawsuits throughout NYC.
We have skilled people to gather evidence that supports your claim. Our attorneys are prepared to help you through the process of filing an eye injury claim. Schedule your free consultation today by calling us at 212-344-1000. You can also use our online form to book an appointment.
