Orange County Eye Injury Attorney
Eye injuries that lead to partial or complete loss of vision are deeply traumatic. Unfortunately, cases of eye injury and vision loss are increasingly common in personal injury litigation. Defective products, medical malpractice, and auto accidents are frequent causes of such injuries due to negligence or wrongdoing. Determining liability in eye injury cases can be complex and often requires the expertise of a skilled personal injury attorney experienced in handling these matters.
If you or a loved one has suffered an eye injury resulting in partial or total vision loss, the experienced eye injury lawyers at Aitken * Aitken * Cohn can help you secure the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering. Contact us today to consult with a qualified Orange County eye injury attorney who can review your case at no charge and discuss your legal rights and options.
Types of Eye Injuries and Their Differences
There are several types of eye injuries, each with distinct characteristics that require specific treatments:
- Blows to the Eye: These occur when the eye area is struck by a hard object, potentially affecting the surrounding muscles and bones. Blows to the eye may also lead to internal bleeding within the eye.
- Cuts or Scratches: When an object enters the eye and scratches the cornea (the clear, dome-shaped surface), it can result in blurred vision, pain, redness, and light sensitivity.
- Foreign Objects in the Eye: Objects such as sand, glass shards, metal shavings, or wood chips can get into the eye and cause serious scratches, especially if not promptly removed.
- Penetrating Wounds: Objects like knives, pieces of wood, or metal shards that penetrate the eye can cause severe and deep damage.
- Chemical Burns:. Exposure to harmful chemicals, such as those found in household cleaners, pesticides, fertilizers, or pools, can quickly damage eye tissue and may lead to serious injury or blindness.
- Radiation Exposure: Ultraviolet rays from the sun can harm the eyes similarly to how they affect the skin. Excessive UV radiation can cause light sensitivity, redness, tearing, and other issues.
Causes of Eye Injury
There are numerous instances in which an individual sustains a serious eye injury through no fault of their own. While most cases of personal injury result in physical, emotional, and financial losses, eye injury and vision loss victims find the consequences even more devastating. Some causes of eye injury and vision loss include, but are not limited to:
- Defective Airbags – A faulty airbag could damage the eye or fail to protect the eye from injuries.
- LASIK Surgery – LASIK surgery errors or optometry mistakes could result in eye injury and vision loss.
- Automobile Accidents – The blunt force and/or trauma of a motor vehicle accident could lead to severe eye injuries.
- Contact Lens Solution – Bausch & Lomb’s defective contact lens solution, as well as other drugs, can pose serious risks to the eyes.
Common Activities That Can Cause Eye Injuries
There are many everyday activities that can lead to eye injuries. In many cases, these injuries are unpredictable. However, for some of the activities listed here, most people understand that there is a risk of eye injury and should take proper preventative measures. Some of the most common activities a person does that could lead to an eye injury include:
- Lawn work. Anytime a high-speed blade and motor device is used, such as a lawnmower, trimmer, or blower, there is a risk of injury.
- Certain jobs. Many people have jobs that pose a high risk of eye injury, particularly those who work in construction, factories, or other industrial occupations.
- Sports and recreation. Anyone involved in high-impact sports or recreation events has a risk of sustaining an eye injury. This includes, but is not limited to, football, hockey, skateboarding, basketball, and more.
- Driving. Car accidents frequently lead to objects flying around the cabin of a vehicle and can cause serious eye injuries. Exploding airbags are frequent culprits of serious eye injuries.
Long-Term Consequences of Eye Injuries
After the initial emergency is over, and you have sought medical care for your eye injury, you need to be aware there could be long-term effects of the injury. This could include:
- Permanent vision impairment
- Blurry vision
- Gradual worsening of vision over time
- Blindness
- Eye pain
- Loss of eye movement
- One eye sticking out farther than the other
Preventing eye injuries
The best way to prevent eye injuries is to use proper safety glasses or goggles when working with hazardous materials or objects that could potentially injure your eyes. This precaution is essential both in professional environments and around the home. For instance, individuals working in construction or with tools that may send debris flying should always wear suitable eye protection.
Similarly, those using lawnmowers, trimmers, or leaf blowers should also use eye protection to shield against flying particles. Sports enthusiasts should consider wearing eye guards for activities like racquetball or squash, and helmets with eye shields are crucial for high-impact sports to protect against severe injuries. Taking these preventive measures significantly reduces the risk of eye injuries and their long-term effects.
Speak to an Orange County Eye Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has suffered traumatic eye injury with partial or total vision loss, you may be eligible to recover economic and non-economic damages including medical bills, lost income or earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and more.
A proven Orange Couny personal injury attorney at Aitken * Aitken * Cohn can investigate the circumstances surrounding your case, file the appropriate claim, protect your legal rights and interests and help you get the compensation you are entitled to. Please contact us today for a FREE case evaluation.