Chicago Eye Injury Lawyer

Helping Chicago Accident Victims Recover Maximum Compensation for Eye Injuries

A Chicago eye injury lawyer from the Chicago Injury Center can ensure that you receive fair compensation for a traumatic eye injury related to workplace accidents or car accidents. If you suffered from blunt force trauma at a Gold Coast work site or double vision after a Western Avenue car crash, contact our skilled vision loss attorneys for a free initial consultation.

Eye Injury Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

$7,400,000: Cherie, who was employed at a McKinley Park food processing plant, suffered a vision injury due to chemical burns. Our experienced eye injury attorneys demonstrated the company’s gross negligence in failing to offer eye protection.

$4,133,333: Mason, a construction worker, fell off a scaffold and suffered a traumatic eye injury. We demonstrated that the company did not provide fall protection for its workers.

$1,680,000: John was riding his motorcycle along Cicero Avenue when he was struck by a rideshare driver dropping off a customer. He suffered a traumatic brain injury that resulted in impaired vision.

Why Hire Chicago Injury Center

Our law firm has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, having secured over $450 million in settlements and successful verdicts. Not only do we provide legal guidance to injured workers, but we also cover the unique legal aspects of the Chicago personal injury claim process for The National Law Review, representing our commitment to the best possible legal advocacy.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Eye Injuries and Vision Loss?

Vision problems can have life-altering consequences, such as no longer being able to drive or work. Common causes of such injuries include:

• Workplace accidents, such as falling debris, welding flashes, or hazardous chemicals.
• Motor vehicle accidents, especially with head trauma.
• Defective or unsafe consumer products.
• Sports and recreational activities.
• Negligent eye surgery, including cataract surgery and Laser eye surgery.
• Assaults and intentional harm, such as blunt force trauma.

What Are Common Eye Injuries in Chicago?

Vision impairment can range from minor issues, like blurred vision, to total vision loss. Injuries that our Chicago eye injury lawyers see include:

• Optic nerve damage
• Permanent vision loss
• Severe corneal scarring
• Retinal tears or detachment
• Corneal abrasions
• Chemical burns
• Foreign object penetration
• Orbital fractures from head trauma

Medical negligence when treating eye damage is also a common cause of injuries. Even with acclaimed facilities, like Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Ophthalmology Department performing laser eye surgery, dangerous complications can still result.

Vision loss can have life-altering consequences, from loss of employment and independence to emotional trauma and depression. Our experienced attorneys will help you secure financial compensation for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and other needs.

What Are the Levels of Visual Impairment?

Visual impairment means that a person’s vision cannot be adjusted to a normal level using typical means like glasses or contact lenses. This could be loss of acuity, where the eyes cannot focus, or loss of visual field, where parts of the vision are blank or blurry.

Levels of visual impairment include:

• Mild Impairment: People may have difficulty with seeing into the distance or focusing on fine print. Prescription lenses can help, but may not fully solve the issue.
• Moderate Impairment: These patients have more challenges in daily life, such as a limited visual field, inability to recognize faces, and use of visual aids.
• Severe Impairment: These individuals cannot read large print, have a significantly impaired visual field, and will need aids for most everyday tasks.
• Legal Blindness: This is a government classification used to determine whether a person can receive disability benefits or social services. It is defined as having less than 20/200 visual acuity in the least-affected eye or a visual field of less than 20 degrees.
• Total Blindness: Completely blind individuals have total vision loss and must rely on other senses, like touch and hearing, to navigate the world.

What Damages Can Eye Injury Victims Recover in Chicago?

Our personal injury attorneys will seek compensation for both economic damages and non-economic damages. These can include:

• Medical expenses, including specialized medical care.
• Future medical costs, such as surgery.
• Lost wages and loss of future income.
• Home modifications and mobility aids.
• Pain and suffering.
• Emotional distress and trauma.
• Loss of normal life and enjoyment of activities.

What Is the Average Eye Injury Payout in Chicago?

The average payout for vision loss is $11,648,959, with a range between $2,286 and $181,139,999. Factors that determine your settlement include injury severity and permanence, the victim’s age and occupation, and clarity of liability.

Example Eye Injury Cases and Vision Loss Cases Filed in Cook County

Quentin Ravizza, a tow truck driver, had opened the hood to check why the clutch wasn’t working when the hood abruptly slammed on his head, crushing his right eye. He was forced to have the eye removed. A jury awarded him $20,000,000.00.

Alex Williams, 13, arrived at the University of Chicago Hospital with a fever, headache, backache, and stomachache. The medical professionals did not provide antibiotics or run any labs. He was eventually diagnosed with infective endocarditis. Because of the infection, he suffered brain damage and vision loss in his left eye. The hospital settled for $17,000,000.00.

Why You Need a Chicago Eye Injury Attorney

It’s essential to work with a Chicago eye injury lawyer, as these cases require proving both the extent and permanency of the vision loss. Additionally, large companies like Amazon, Morton Salt, and the University of Chicago have their own attorneys who will vigorously deny liability.

Our attorneys will consult with ophthalmologists, vocational experts, and life care planners to investigate your vision loss, identify the cause, and demonstrate a connection between your impairments and the accident.

How Common Are Eye Injuries in Chicago?

According to the Illinois Eye Center, over one million people per year are diagnosed with eye injuries, and 90% of these injuries could have been prevented with the proper protective equipment. 61% of all eye injuries occur in construction, manufacturing, and trade jobs, though accidents can occur in any field.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that 18,510 eye-related injuries were recorded in 2020 nationwide, with 59.6% resulting from foreign objects in or near the eye.

Where Do Eye Injuries Occur Most Often in Chicago?

Many traumatic accidents can result in eye injuries, particularly in construction and manufacturing. Common locations for vision-related accidents include:

• Construction sites in the South Loop, Fulton Market, and River North neighborhoods.
• Manufacturing plants on the South Side, such as Bridgeport and Pilsen.
• High-traffic corridors such as Western Avenue and Milwaukee Avenue, especially those with heavy bike and pedestrian traffic.
• Sports facilities and recreational areas, like the ComEd Recreational Center.

What Laws Govern Eye Injury and Vision Loss Claims in Chicago?

Those who suffer a workplace injury may be able to use their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance to pay for their medical expenses (820 ILCS 305). This is a no-fault system, so you only need to prove that you were hurt at work and were completing your duties as an employee.

Victims of eye injuries who were not in workplace accidents can make a personal injury claim. If the responsible party was a property owner, you can prove negligence using the Premises Liability Act, which holds property owners accountable for unsafe conditions at a home or business (740 ILCS 130/).

If your visual impairment was due to a medication, such as Elmiron, or a faulty consumer product, then you can file a product liability claim against the manufacturer (735 ILCS 5/2-21). Our eye injury lawyers will help establish causality.

In some cases, vision loss is due to medical malpractice. To file a malpractice claim, you must have an affidavit of merit from a doctor or other medical expert (735 ILCS 5/2‑622).

It is possible to sue more than one party using the Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act (740 ILCS 100/2). The court case Ready v. United/Goedecke Services, Inc. notes that if one or more parties settle before trial, they will not be defendants in court.

How Long Do Injured Victims Have to File an Eye Injury Claim in Chicago?

A personal injury claim has a statute of limitations of two years (735 ILCS 5/13-202). For workers compensation claims, you have three years from the date of injury or two years from the date of last payment, whichever is later (820 ILCS 305/6(d)).

Who Can Be Liable for an Eye Injury in Chicago?

Potentially liable parties can include:

• Negligent drivers.
• Employers, through workers’ compensation.
• Manufacturers of defective products or medications.
• Property owners who failed to maintain their properties.
• Doctors and hospitals for failure to provide proper healthcare.

Common Defenses in Chicago Eye Injury Cases

Insurance companies may argue that your eye injury was pre-existing, that your vision loss was not permanent or not as severe as you claim, or that you were primarily liable for the accident, using comparative negligence laws (735 ILCS 5/2-1116).

Our vision loss attorneys will counter these arguments using evidence such as medical reports, healthcare professional testimony, witness statements, surveillance footage, and expert witnesses like occupational safety professionals. Our skillful arguments give you the best possible chance at recovering damages for your injuries.

How to Strengthen Your Eye Injury Case

It’s crucial to seek legal guidance as soon as possible after an accident or injury so that our skilled attorneys can carefully review your medical records and hold negligent parties accountable. Follow these steps immediately.

• Seek a full evaluation from an eye specialist like the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary.
• Preserve physical evidence, like damaged eye protection or shrapnel from the accident.
• Gather witness statements and incident reports.
• Do not speak to insurance companies or other third parties without your attorney.

How Chicago Injury Center Can Help

Our firm will thoroughly investigate the cause of injury, working in consort with leading Chicago ophthalmologists and medical experts. We will aggressively negotiate with the defendant’s insurers to ensure that your settlement covers all damages.

If the insurance companies refuse to cooperate, we will file a claim with the Circuit Court of Cook County, prepare your case for trial, and skillfully represent you in front of a judge and jury. With our help, you can recover damages that help you rebuild your life.

FAQs

Can I sue for partial vision loss?

Yes, it is possible to make a partial vision loss claim if you can prove negligence on the part of another party.

Will Illinois workers’ comp cover eye surgery?

Yes, a workers’ compensation claim can cover vision loss. You must prove that you were injured in the course of your employment. Workers’ comp should cover all surgeries and a portion of your lost wages as you recover. We will negotiate for fair compensation and aggressively appeal any denied claims.

Is an eye injury a disability in Illinois?

To be legally blind, you must have less than 20/2000 vision in your dominant eye or less than a 20-degree field of vision. However, vision loss may still be considered a disability even if it does not result in legal blindness.

Are eye injuries covered by health insurance in Illinois?

Yes, eye injury claims should be covered by standard health insurance or workers’ compensation.

How do I know I have a case?

You must demonstrate that the responsible party failed to protect you from harm, which caused your eye injury and financial losses.

How long will my case take in Cook County?

Your case may take anywhere from a few months to several years or more. The timeline depends on whether you file a lawsuit, how severe your injuries are, and whether there is more than one liable party named in the case.

How much does a Chicago eye injury lawyer cost?

We work on a contingency fee basis, so you owe us nothing unless we win your case.

Book a Free Consultation

Our eye injury lawyers understand how devastating vision loss can be and will aggressively negotiate for maximum compensation. By using a contingency fee basis, we ensure that everyone can afford top-notch legal representation for these challenging personal injury claims. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an award-winning Chicago eye injury lawyer.