Eye Negligence Claims Solicitors

Deterioration or loss of eyesight can feel frightening and overwhelming, affecting how someone maintains their independence, their health and their financial wellbeing. This is especially true if the loss of vision comes suddenly due to a surgical complication or negligent care.

When our vision becomes impaired, this can have a swift and significant effect on our independence. We depend on our eyesight to do so much of our day-to-day activities, to work, to look after ourselves and to support our loved ones. If this is instantly taken away, the impact can be truly devastating:

• Reading labels on items while shopping or at home can be far more difficult or entirely impossible
• Travelling independently is considerably more challenging and dangerous
• Manoeuvring around and cleaning the home is much harder, and will probably require assistance
• Job prospects and opportunities become much more limited
• Socialising and hobbies become increasingly difficult to participate in
• Less pleasure is derived from activities like watching television or going to the cinema
• Communicating with others is made harder, which could leave someone feeling isolated or disconnected

Fundamentally, from washing and getting dressed to looking after the home and children, loss of vision makes you more reliant on others, which can impact your self-esteem and happiness.

In addition, because blindness or limited eyesight can reduce people’s ability to see what they wear, how their make-up looks or how their hair is styled, it can rob someone of their ability to express themselves.

Although compensation cannot restore your vision, it can unlock the financial support you need to regain as much of your independence and confidence as possible.

If you or a family member has been left blind or partially sighted due to medical negligence, you can claim compensation for:

• Any pain, suffering and loss of amenities endured
• Future procedures and medical treatments
• Care assistance
• Domestic assistance
• Visibility aids and equipment
• Adaptations to the home, including handrails
• Mobility aids and equipment
• Transportation costs
• Loss of earnings
• Psychological therapies
• Courses for learning braille

Although it can never replace the vision that you have lost, compensation is crucial to helping you move on from the suffering you have endured and live a more fulfilling life. That’s why our solicitors engage with all relevant experts to accurately determine your requirements and calculate a suitable amount of compensation.

Every eye negligence claim or eye surgery claim is unique. It is impossible to accurately determine how much compensation you are entitled to until it has been closely investigated by a specialist medical negligence solicitor.

Factors that can influence the value of compensation awarded following a successful claim include:

• Age
• The extent of the loss of vision
• Occupation and salary
• Whether you live alone or with others

As medical negligence experts, we work tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation you deserve based on your specific circumstances.

This will include working with an actively operating ophthalmologist or ophthalmologic surgeon. Their professional insight helps us to establish the most likely cause for your loss of eyesight, and how the negligence you endured has impacted your life and capabilities.

Yes – like the majority of medical negligence claims, you have a three-year time limit from the date of your injury, or the date you became aware of your injury, to launch your claim. However, there are exceptions to this:

• If the claimant is under the age of 18, they have until their 21st birthday to start their claim
• If the claimant is considered mentally incapable, there is no time limit

In all circumstances, we advise you to reach out even if your three-year time limit has expired. Every claim is at the court’s discretion, so it may still be possible to pursue your case.

This will vary based on the complexity and specific nature of your eye surgery claim. It will also be influenced by the Defendant’s stance – if they admit liability early, this can significantly speed up the process. If they deny all allegations, this can drag out proceedings, especially if it proceeds to court.

Our fastidious investigations and strong approach to negotiation mean that 96% of our cases are settled outside of court, reducing delays and achieving a positive outcome sooner.

In most circumstances, we would expect to reach a final settlement between two and five years after the case starts. When you speak with your chosen solicitor, they will provide a top-line estimate of how long your claim is likely to take.

At Gadsby Wicks, we pursue all eye negligence claims on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. This means you owe nothing during your case, and only pay us if your claim is successful.

Furthermore, our fee is recovered from the compensation you receive, with a guarantee that you keep at least 75% of your final settlement (and often significantly more in high-value claims).

Combined, this ensures you face zero financial risk at any stage of proceedings. For more information, check out our full list of available funding options.

Yes, you do not need to be considered legally blind to make an eye negligence claim. A partial loss of vision can still have serious repercussions on your life, so you can seek compensation for these injuries as well.