Toledo Eye Injury Lawyers

Many people associate serious accidents with certain injuries, such as head trauma, broken bones, or spinal cord damage. However, the reality is that a significant number of accident victims face equally severe, although less well-known injuries. Eye injuries, for example, can result in permanent damage, leaving victims to struggle with vision loss or other side effects for the rest of their lives. Fortunately, those who are injured at work or by someone else’s negligence may be able to collect compensation to cover the cost of their injuries, so if you suffered an eye injury in an accident, you should consider speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you file a claim.

Blunt Force Trauma

Some of the most serious eye injuries are caused by blunt force trauma, which can result in:

• Orbital fractures, which involve breaks in the facial bones surrounding the eye;
• Lacerations to the eyelid or cornea;
• Vitreous hemorrhage, which involves bleeding in the back portion of the eye;
• Traumatic iritis, which occurs when the muscles that control the amount of light that enters the pupil become inflamed; and
• Corneal abrasions, which occur when the transparent tissue located in front of the pupil and iris becomes scratched.

Symptoms of these types of eye injuries include pain, blurred vision, double vision, eyelid swelling, numbness, bruising, and redness.

Although anyone who suffers blunt force trauma to the head or face could sustain an eye injury, individuals who work in certain occupations or participate in particular activities are especially at risk of injury. For instance, many eye injuries are the result of trauma suffered in a contact sport, such as boxing, wrestling, football, or soccer.

Chemical Exposure

Those who work in and around hazardous chemicals are also at risk of suffering from chemical exposure and burns, usually as a result of a strong acid or alkali splashing into the eye. In severe cases, these liquids can cause permanent damage to the ocular surface, in addition to pain and swelling. Contact with hot air and steam are also common causes of eye injuries, although anyone who works with battery acid, bleach, certain cleansers, and fertilizers are at risk of sustaining an eye injury if they fail to use protective goggles and masks. Exposure to high-intensity light is another common cause of eye injury, especially for those who work with welding tools.

Foreign Objects

Even something as simple as having a foreign object in the eye can cause serious injuries, such as:

• Corneal scratches;
• Bleeding between the iris and hyphen; and
• Damage to the structures inside of the eyeball.

Taking certain safety measures when using power tools or chemicals can go a long way towards preventing these types of accidents, which include wearing safety glasses, goggles, or face shields. Even health care professionals are advised to use protective eyewear to reduce the chance of a foreign object or substance getting into their eyes.

Call Today to Speak With an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Eye injuries can have permanent and life-changing consequences, so if you sustained this type of injury in an accident or at work, please contact one of the knowledgeable and compassionate personal injury lawyers at Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC by calling our office.