A fractured eye socket, also known as an orbital fracture, is a serious injury that can occur as a result of trauma to the eye area. This type of injury can cause severe pain, vision problems, and even permanent damage to the eye. In cases where the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, victims may be able to make a compensation claim to cover their medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.
Fractured eye socket compensation claims can be complex and require the expertise of a skilled personal injury lawyer. In this article, we will explore the key aspects of these types of claims and what victims should know if they are considering pursuing legal action.
What is a fractured eye socket?
A fractured eye socket, also known as an orbital fracture, is a serious injury that can occur as a result of trauma to the eye area. This type of injury can cause severe pain, vision problems, and even permanent damage to the eye.
In cases where the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, victims may be able to make a compensation claim to cover their medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Eye injury compensation claims can be complex and require the expertise of a skilled personal injury lawyer to maximise the chances of the claim being successful.
Types of fracture eye sockets
The eye socket, or orbit, is a bony structure that surrounds and protects the eye. There are seven bones that make up the orbit, the frontal bone, maxillary bone, zygomatic bone, ethmoid bone, sphenoid bone, lacrimal bone and the palatine bone. Together, these bones form a protective barrier around the eye and help to maintain its shape and position within the skull.
There are different types of eye fracture injuries that can occur, depending on the location and severity of the fracture. Some common types of eye fracture injuries include:
- Orbital floor fracture: This type of fracture occurs in the floor of the eye socket and can cause the eye to sink downward.
- Orbital rim fracture: This fracture relates to the outer edge of the eye socket and can cause a visible deformity.
- Blowout fracture: This type of fracture occurs in the walls of the eye socket and can cause double vision, swelling, and pain.
- Direct orbital roof fracture: This fracture is in the upper part of the eye socket and can cause the eye to protrude forward.
- Indirect orbital roof fracture: These occur in the upper part of the eye socket and can cause a depression in the forehead above the eye.
- Combined fracture: A combined fracture involves multiple bones in the eye socket and can cause severe damage to the eye and surrounding structures.
Eye fracture injuries can vary in severity, ranging from minor fractures that heal with rest and pain relief to severe fractures that result in loss of sight in one eye, may require surgery and long-term medical care. It is important to seek prompt medical attention if you suspect you have sustained an eye fracture injury.
Common causes of fractures eye sockets
Eye fracture injuries can be caused by a variety of traumatic incidents. Some common causes of eye fracture injuries include:
- Physical assault: A blow to the eye or face during a physical altercation can cause a fracture in the eye socket.
- Sports injuries: Contact sports, such as football or hockey, can result in eye fractures due to impact with a ball, stick, or another player.
- Road traffic accidents: A car accident or motorcycle crash can cause facial trauma that leads to an eye fracture.
- Falls: Falling from a height or slipping and falling on a hard surface can cause facial trauma that results in an eye fracture.
- Accidents at work: Jobs that involve working with heavy machinery or in hazardous conditions can increase the risk of eye fracture injuries. Employers owe you a duty of care to their employees and must minimise the risk of any accidents occurring.
It is important to take precautions to prevent eye socket fractures, such as wearing protective eyewear during sports or hazardous work activities. If you experience any trauma to the eye or face, seek medical attention immediately to determine if an eye fracture or other injury has occurred.
What is the process of making a claim?
During the initial consultation with our specialist fractured eye socket compensation solicitors, you will receive advice on eye injury claims and be informed of the time limit regulations. Our lawyers will ask for information regarding your accident and the resulting injuries. This information will be used to evaluate the chances of your claim being successful. Possible questions include details about the accident location, time, date, witness accounts, defendant, and circumstances.
It is important to gather evidence during the early stages of your claim to support your case. Evidence may include CCTV footage, medical records, injury photos, and witness statements. Your personal injury lawyer may also request a formal medical examination to produce medical reports on your injuries. These reports will provide crucial medical evidence of the type and extent of your injuries.
If your claim for compensation for an eye injury is deemed likely to succeed, our firm will offer to represent you on a “no win no fee” basis, meaning you won’t have to pay any legal fees if the claim is unsuccessful.
The defendant will be notified of your claim and may either accept or deny responsibility for your injuries. If responsibility is accepted, settlement negotiations may begin. If denied, legal proceedings may ensue.
How long do you have to make a claim for fracture eye socket compensation?
In the UK, the time limit for making a claim for compensation in personal injury cases is generally three years from the date of the accident or injury, as stated in the Limitation Act 1980. This is known as the limitation period. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, and the time limit can vary depending on the circumstances of the case.
For example, if the injured person is under 18 years of age at the time of the accident, the limitation period does not begin until their 18th birthday. Additionally, if the injury is not immediately apparent, such as in cases of medical negligence, the limitation period may be extended.
It is important to seek legal advice from a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible if you are considering making a personal injury claim, as the process can be complex and time-consuming. Failing to meet the time limit for making a claim can result in your case being dismissed, and you may be unable to receive the compensation you deserve.
How much compensation could you receive?
Compensation for fractured eye socket claims is usually divided into two categories: general damages and special damages.
General Damages – This refers to the amount of compensation you receive for your physical pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Generally, the more severe an injury, the higher the amount of compensation.
Special Damages – These are any direct financial losses that you may have suffered because of your injuries. Typically, these may include loss of earnings up to the settlement, loss of earnings in the future, medical costs, travel costs or the costs of care provided to you.
Although no amount of money can make up for the physical injuries you have suffered, the physical effects can lead to permanent restricted mobility, and you may need ongoing care or move to a more suitable property for your needs.
If you have suffered an eye injury we can make sure that you receive interim payments of compensation as your case is being settled for any immediate care or rehabilitation needs. Personal injury compensation claims are aimed to minimise the impact of your injury and to get you back to the position you were in before the accident happened.
Your compensation claim for an eye injury can help cover any expenses caused by your injury and sets out to:
- Reimburse general damages to the injured one and their loved ones for any pain and suffering endured
- Repay any physical therapy costs and psychological care
- Cover any ongoing or past medical assessments and costs incurred such as prescription costs, taxi fares and parking costs
- Cover any loss of earnings for both the carer and the sufferer
- Cover any welfare costs to make alterations to the person’s home, or (if applicable) the cost of moving to a new home, including vehicle adaptations needed to enhance independent living or equipment costs such as wheelchairs
- Cover the cost of any adaptations required to be made to the injured person’s workplace
- Covers any support, for either family or professional care costs. This includes mileage driven and time spent to provide that support
- Pay the injured towards the reduction in their quality of life and any loss of amenity such as playing sport
- Any future hindrance in future job opportunities due to disabilities
Fractured eye socket compensation amounts are determined by different factors. Each case differs depending on the severity of your injuries. A specialist personal injury solicitor can provide more insight of what you might expect after looking through all the facts of your case.
If an injury is particularly severe, the compensation award would generally be higher. Although some injuries may not appear to be severe initially, it may worsen later in life so this will be considered. We offer fall compensation claims on a no win no fee basis, meaning you will not need to pay us anything if you are not successful.
How much will it cost to make a fractured eye socket compensation claim?
At Beacon Law, we understand your concerns about legal fees affecting your compensation award. That’s why all of our personal injury claims are handled on a “no win no fee” basis. This means that if your compensation claim is unsuccessful, you won’t have to pay for any legal costs.
If your fractured eye socket compensation claim is successful, a success fee will be charged. The success fee and any remaining legal costs will be deducted from the compensation award. The success fee is capped at 25%, and there may be additional fees for legal expenses insurance if necessary. All fees will be discussed with you before we agree to take on your case.
How can Beacon Law assist?
Beacon Law is a specialist personal injury solicitor with ample experience of dealing with no win no fee personal injury claims. Our expertise in this area of law means we can provide an exceptional standard of service to our clients, and we work tirelessly to ensure we achieve the best possible outcome and highest level of compensation for your injuries.
Beacon Law is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. To find out more about our no win, no fee claims funding and legal fees, please have a look at the funding section on our website.
If you have suffered an injury at the fault of someone else, whether it was an accident at work or negligence by a medical professional, then please contact us today on 0330 1332 857 to start your claim or complete our contact form at the top of the page to request a call back from a member of our personal injury team.
