Chicago Eye Injury Lawyer

Your eyesight is one of your most valuable senses. During an eye injury, you don’t just lose vision. You lose independence, confidence, and opportunities. 

If your eye injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, our injury lawyer can help you reclaim your future. We have experienced personal injury attorneys here to show you the path!

How Our Chicago Eye Injury Lawyer Can Serve You

Managing the complexities of a personal injury case involving a severe eye injury is tiresome. Chicago Injury Lawyer is here to provide you with advanced legal representation. We will stand by you to ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to. 

Here’s how we can help:

1. Free Case Evaluation: We offer a no-obligation consultation where we can discuss the details of your injury and determine the strength of your case.
2. Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Our lawyers will thoroughly trace the cause of your injury. They will collect medical records, witness statements, accident reports, and other vital evidence.
3. Expert Witnesses: For severe cases, we can enlist expert medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists to help strengthen your claim.
4. Negotiation: Our attorneys will negotiate with insurance companies and other parties to ensure you receive the maximum settlement possible.
5. Litigation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we will not hesitate to take your case to court. We will advocate for your rights before a judge and a panel of experts.

Understanding Eye Injuries in Chicago: Causes, Impact, and Statistics

Eye injuries are more common than many people realize. Each year, nearly 20,000 eye injuries happen in the workplace, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These injuries can vary from mild eye strain to severe trauma that may lead to permanent damage or vision loss. They often require time off work to recover.

Also, thousands of individuals in Chicago are affected by workplace accidents, motor vehicle collisions, falls, sports accidents, and more. All of them can result in severe eye injuries.

Some of the most common causes of eye injuries include:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Airbags, shattered glass, and impact on the steering wheel or dashboard can cause significant eye trauma.
• Workplace Accidents: Industrial work, construction, or jobs requiring heavy machinery expose workers to sharp objects, chemicals, and other hazards that can damage the eyes.
• Sports Injuries: High-contact sports like football and basketball and even recreational activities like paintball or racquetball can result in eye trauma.
• Defective Products: Certain consumer products, such as fireworks or defective eye care equipment, can cause injuries.
• Falls: Whether at work, home or in public places, falling accidents often result in serious eye injuries.

Eye injuries can vary in severity, from minor cuts and abrasions to more severe injuries. They might include traumatic brain injury (TBI), blindness, or permanent vision impairment. Sometimes, a person may require long-term medical care, vision rehabilitation, or corrective surgery in Chicago eye institutes.

Significant Types of Eye Injuries in Chicago

Eye injuries can range from minor irritations to severe, life-altering conditions. Below are some common types of eye injuries:

1. Corneal Abrasions

Broken objects, fingernails, or contact lenses typically cause scratches on the cornea’s surface. These can cause pain, redness, and sensitivity to light.

2. Chemical Burns

Damage is caused by exposure to harmful chemicals, such as cleaning agents or industrial substances. These injuries can range from mild irritation to severe corneal damage.

3. Orbital Fractures

Breaks in the bones surrounding the eye, usually resulting from blunt trauma. These injuries can lead to swelling, bruising, and impaired eye movement.

4. Retinal Detachments

A condition where the retina pulls away from its supportive tissue, often caused by trauma. If untreated, this can result in permanent vision loss.

5. Traumatic Cataracts

Clouding the eye’s natural lens due to injury leads to blurred or obstructed vision. These may require surgical treatment.

6. Complete or Partial Blindness

Loss of vision caused by severe trauma, optic nerve damage, or untreated injuries. This can significantly affect daily life and earning capacity.

7. Foreign Body Injuries

If not removed promptly, particles like metal, glass, or dirt can enter the eye, causing irritation or severe damage.

8. Hyphema

Bleeding in the front chamber of the eye, typically caused by trauma. This condition requires immediate medical attention to prevent complications like glaucoma.

9. Eye Lacerations

Cuts or tears to the eyelid or eyeball caused by sharp objects. These injuries may necessitate surgical intervention.

10. Optic Nerve Damage

Trauma to the optic nerve can disrupt the transmission of visual information to the brain, leading to vision impairment or loss.

11. UV or Thermal Burns

Overexposure to ultraviolet light or direct heat sources, such as welding torches or tanning beds. It can cause painful burns to the cornea and surrounding tissues.

12. Iritis or Uveitis

Inflammation of the iris or uvea (middle layer of the eye) is often linked to trauma. This condition can cause pain, redness, and blurred vision.

Illinois Laws Protecting Eye Injury Victims

If you’ve sustained an eye injury in Chicago, you may be eligible to file a few injury claims. Illinois legal landscape surrounding injury claims includes several key statutes and legal standards that can impact your case. Such as:

1. Workers’ Compensation Act

If your eye injury occurred at work, you may be able to seek compensation through the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305). This law benefits employees injured on the job, regardless of fault. Benefits typically cover:

• Medical expenses: Treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation related to the injury.
• Lost wages: Compensation for the income you lost while recovering.
• Disability payments: For permanent impairment caused by the injury.
• Rehabilitation services: To help you recover and return to work.

The statute of limitations for this claim is typically two years. Note that workers’ compensation benefits are generally limited to what is covered under the Act. You usually cannot sue your employer for additional damages unless there was gross negligence or a third party was responsible.

2. Personal Injury Law

If your eye injury was caused by the negligence of another party, such as in a car accident, slip and fall, or bicycle accident, Illinois Personal Injury Law (735 ILCS 5/13-202) will be in force. It allows you to seek compensation for damages. Multiple parties may be held responsible if more than one contributed to your catastrophic injury. In personal injury claims, you can pursue compensation for:

• Medical expenses: This includes both current and future medical bills for treatment, surgery, therapy, and rehabilitation.
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional distress caused by the injury.
• Lost wages: If your eye injury prevents you from working, you can claim lost income.
• Loss of earning capacity: If your injury permanently impairs your ability to earn a living, you may be entitled to compensation for diminished future earnings.
• Punitive damages: In cases of gross negligence or intentional harm, the court may award punitive damages to punish the responsible party.

For personal injury claims, the statute of limitations in Illinois is typically two years from the date of the injury. After this period, you may lose your right to pursue compensation.

3. Product Liability Laws

If your eye injury was caused by a defective product, Illinois product liability laws provide a route for holding manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accountable. Under the Illinois Product Liability Act (735 ILCS 5/2-621), you may be able to file a claim for:

• Design defects: The product was poorly designed and inherently dangerous.
• Manufacturing defects: The product was defectively made or contained faulty components.
• Failure to warn consumers of potential risks: If the manufacturer did not provide adequate safety warnings or instructions.

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for product liability claims is generally two years from the date of injury. However, this can vary based on the specifics of the case.

4. Medical Malpractice Law

You may have a Medical Malpractice Claim (735 ILCS 5/2-1701) if an eye clinic doctor’s error or negligence caused your eye injury. Medical malpractice claims must be filed in Illinois within two years of discovering the injury, although exceptions exist. 

For example, the statute of limitations may be extended if the injury is not found immediately. There is a four-year limit for filing, even if the injury is not discovered within that time frame.

Clear Sight, Clear Justice!

When your vision is compromised, your future can feel uncertain. But with the right legal advocate, you can focus on healing. 

At Chicago Injury Lawyer, we’re not just lawyers but protectors of your vision, rights, and future. Don’t let someone else’s negligence cost you everything. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward clarity, compensation, and justice!

Frequently Asked Questions