A loss of sight and eye injury compensation claim is a legal process in which an individual seeks compensation for the harm caused by a loss of sight or eye injury. The compensation amount may cover the medical expenses, loss of earnings, and other damages incurred due to the injury.

If we suffer an injury to our eyes, whether just one or both, this can be extremely distressing. An accident that causes loss of sight, whether partial or complete blindness may be temporary or permanent, but no doubt devastating either way, and if someone else is to blame, this can leave victims feeling helpless. Forbes Solicitors can help victims claim compensation for their eye injuries, including those whom have suffered partial or complete loss of sight through personal injury or clinical negligence.

This eye injury compensation guide aims to help you find out more information about this type of injury and what you will need to do in order to seek compensation with an eye injuries claim.

There are a wide variety of accidents that can result in the loss of sight or an eye injury. Due to our vast amount of experience in handling eye injury compensation claims, we have identified the following as the major causes:

• Violent attacks or assaults - this is a major cause for eye injuries, including those of a temporary and permanent nature. A violent attack or physical assault can result in damage to the eye if a person has been struck or has hit an object as they fall down. If you have been attacked violently and suffered an eye injury you could be eligible for compensation.

• Chemicals - a splash or spillage involving dangerous chemicals can result in an eye injury. Those who work with or around dangerous chemicals are most at risk, but a chemical burn can occur at any time. If you have work with chemicals and have not been provided with the appropriate safety gear and training and you are injured as a result, you could be eligible for compensation.

• Bright lights - whether it's a quick flash or excessive exposure, a bright light can cause serious eye injury. Welders are most at risk of suffering an eye injury due to a flash of light, especially if they are not provided with the appropriate safety gear. In addition, lasers, explosions and defective electrical objects can cause eye injuries.

• Head trauma - any type of head trauma can potentially lead to loss of sight. Those who have been involved in a road traffic accident or accident at work and have sustained a head trauma may experience loss of sight.

• Sharp objects - a sharp object can cause serious injuries to eyes. An accident with a sharp object can result in temporary or even permanent blindness and can happen at anywhere at work, at home or in a public place such as a supermarket, school or park.

• Grit, sand, glass and dirt - can be extremely dangerous to work with especially if you have not been provided with the appropriate safety wear and training. Often we can simply wash our eyes with water or medical solution and no permanent damage is done, but unfortunately this is not always the case. If you work with machinery such as grinders, saws etc. or around grit or glass you are especially at risk. If your employer does not provide you with safety goggles and you are injured you could be eligible for compensation.

Your employer has a duty of care to ensure you are provided with all the appropriate safety equipment you need to do your job safely. If they fail to provide you with something like safety goggles and you are injured as a result you could claim compensation for your injuries. Eye injuries at work are more common in some industries than in others, but your employer is responsible for ensuring that you have a safe environment to work in and are provided with the adequate training and equipment to prevent you from getting hurt at work.

Individuals can suffer an eye injury or loss of sight through clinical negligence. This can sometimes happen when a medical professional makes a mistake with a prescription, provides an individual with incorrect contact lenses or prescribes the wrong eye ointment - all of which can cause severe injury and even complete loss of sight.

We can also offer legal advice to those who have suffered an eye injury whilst having laser eye surgery. Often people will enter into this type of surgery without being made aware of all the risks involved. Although laser eye surgery can be a very positive thing, when something goes wrong it can cause serious injuries to those being operated on. If you have suffered an eye injury whilst being operated on or have been left with worse sight than before you had the procedure, contact us today as you may be eligible for compensation.