Eye injuries can be devastating, no matter how minor they are. Your eyesight can be damaged or permanently lost. In addition to any physical pain, there is accompanying emotional trauma. Understandably, prospective clients want to know, How much compensation can I get for an eye injury in California?
Unfortunately, no set number or range applies in these types of cases. In fact, eye injury compensation varies from victim to victim. Different circumstances impact your potential settlement value. That’s why it’s essential to speak with an experienced California eye injury attorney as soon as possible.
Factors That Impact Your Potential Eye Injury Claim Settlement Amount
Eye injuries can range from mild to severe, and the amount of compensation you may be able to receive for an eye injury in California will depend on the specifics of your case. Here are some factors that may affect the amount of compensation you may be able to receive.
Injury Type and Severity
The more serious your eye injury, the more compensation you might be eligible to receive. Consider an example where you have suffered a permanent loss of vision or have undergone multiple surgeries. In this situation, you might be entitled to higher compensation than if you had suffered a minor injury that resolved on its own after a few weeks.
Liability
Before you can receive compensation for an eye injury, you must prove that someone else was at fault for the injury. The at-fault party could be a person, company, or even a government agency. If you can prove that the other party was negligent, you may be able to receive compensation.
California is a pure comparative negligence state, which means you can be a percentage at fault and still recover some damages. However, your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you 10% at fault, you would receive 90% of your damages. If a jury finds you 90% at fault, you will only receive 10%.
Available Insurance Coverage
The amount of available insurance coverage can also impact your potential settlement. If your eye injury results from an auto accident, the coverage available might be more limited than if you have a medical malpractice claim. For example, a driver might have only a $15,000 auto insurance liability policy for bodily injury, while a doctor might have a million-dollar malpractice policy.
Your Overall Damages
Another important factor is your damages. Someone with more severe injuries likely has greater damages. Damages can be broken down into two main categories—economic and non-economic.
Your economic damages include lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and out-of-pocket expenses. In addition to economic damages, you may also be able to receive compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of consortium, and more. The amount of compensation for non-economic damages can be more challenging to determine, as it is subjective and depends on the specifics of your case.
In some cases, you might even be eligible for punitive damages. Punitive damages apply only in cases involving intentional actions, gross negligence, fraud, and other willful misconduct. For example, you may be eligible for punitive damages if you sustained an eye injury from a driver under the influence of alcohol or someone drag racing down the street.
Common Causes Of Eye Injuries In Personal Injury Claims
There are many potential causes of eye injuries in personal injury claims. Some of the most common causes include:
- Motor vehicle accidents. Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents can all result in eye injuries, particularly if a driver or passenger is not wearing a seatbelt or if debris or shards of broken glass fall back into the vehicle.
- Workplace accidents. Eye injuries can occur in various workplace settings, including construction sites, factories, and offices. While you likely can’t sue you’re employer (because you have seek compensation through workers’ compensation instead), a negligent third party might be partially responsible for your eye injury.
- Sports and recreational activities. Eye injuries can occur during sports and recreational activities such as basketball, baseball, and boxing.
- Assaults and fights. Physical altercations and assaults can result in eye injuries, particularly if a person receives a blow to the face or eye area.
- Household accidents. Accidents can also occur at home—for example, when a person is using household chemicals or tools, or when they trip over something and fall.
These are just a few examples of potential ways you can injury your eye. Even if your accident type is not listed here, don’t hesitate to contact an eye injury lawyer at Silva Injury Law. We can review your case and let you know if you have a viable personal injury claim against a third party.
Contact A California Eye Injury Attorney
If you have suffered an eye injury due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. Forget searching online for answers to questions such as, How much compensation can I get for an eye injury in California? Instead, work with an experienced personal injury lawyer at Silva Injury Law who knows your legal rights. Eye injuries can be worth a significant amount of money in some cases. You need a lawyer with the expertise and skills to help you build a solid case. With our record of success and years of experience, Silva Injury Law can help you maximize your potential settlement compensation. Contact us to learn more.
Find Out How We Can Help
At Silva Injury Law we promote healing through compassionate advocacy. With each case tailored to the individual, we look our for your best interests by evaluating your unique circumstances. Contact us today for a FREE in person or remote consultation.