New York Eye Injury Attorney

The ability to see is something many people take for granted. However, it is when an injury occurs to the eye that one truly realizes the importance that sight plays in our daily life. Our eyes are a small but complex organ consisting of many delicate parts that can be injured in more ways than one. If you develop pain to your eye or experience changes in your vision following an accident, it is important you seek immediate, proper medical treatment and are aware of your rights.

If you experienced an injury to your eye due to the negligence of another, you have the right to be fully compensated for your serious and personal injuries. Our firm is here to help you through it all. The experienced New York personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, PLLC will aggressively fight for justice on behalf of you and your rights.

COMMON ACCIDENTS THAT MAY CAUSE INJURIES TO THE EYE

There are many different types of accidents that may result in an injury to the eye. Some of the most common include, but are not limited to, construction site accidents, car accidents, slip and falls, trip and falls, sidewalk accidents, chemical spills, burns, and malpractice.

During the days following such incidents, it is always important to pay attention to (1) any changes in your vision, and (2) any pain you experience in or around your eyes. Unfortunately, there are many people who are not aware that such changes to their eyes and/or vision were the result of someone else’s negligence. If you believe you may have suffered an eye injury due to the negligence of another, our team of experienced attorneys are here to make sure you are compensated the full value of each and every injury you sustained.

COMMON CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

The four most common ways an accident may lead to an injury to the eye, and its surrounding area (eyelids, eyebrows, etc.), are as follows:

• Blunt trauma or blow;
• Sharp penetration or cut by foreign bodies;
• Chemical exposure;
• Burn or ultraviolet light exposure;

Please keep in mind, there are many different ways your eyesight may become impaired. Many accidents do not involve actual physical contact with your eye or head but may still result in vision problems. For example, many victims who suffered a whiplash-type injury and have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, concussion, and/or other head injuries have experienced negative changes to their vision.

It is important you seek proper medical treatment and are aware of the full extent of your injuries so that you pursue a claim to compensate each and every injury you sustained as the result of another’s negligence.

Blunt Injuries

Blunt injuries to the eye may be caused by forceful blows to the head or the eye itself. Examples of forceful blows include, but are not limited to, airbag deployments, fall on the face or head, falling objects, impacts to the head or eye during a car, sports, or construction site accident, and physical altercations.

Blunt injuries, whether accidental or deliberate, can cause the following injuries and/or symptoms:

• A ruptured globe (eyeball);
• A hemorrhage (bleeding) of the eye;
• Damage to the lens;
• Vitreous strands (the internal gel in the interior chamber of the eye) leaking out of the wound;
• Severe inflammation of the iris and the cornea;
• Retinal detachments;
• Eye floaters;
• Optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve);
• Eye pain;
• Diplopia (double vision);
• Blurred vision;
• Photophobia (sensitivity to light);
• Pupil dilation disorders;
• Lagophthalmos (impaired eyelid movement);
• Damaged tear ducts;
• Hyphema (blood floating in the anterior chamber of the eye);
• Orbital fractures (fracture to the bone of the eye socket);
• Headaches;
• Permanent visual impairment.

All of the above are potential causes of vision loss, including permanent blindness. Immediate medical treatment and/or repair are essential.

Sharp Injuries

Sharp trauma to the eye usually occurs when a foreign object, such as small pieces of metal, wood, or plastic, enters the eye. These types of injuries may occur as the result of construction debris, projectiles from construction equipment, falling debris or dust, shrapnel, fishhooks, darts, knives, dirt, dust, and even contact lenses.

Some of the most common sharp traumas to the eye is when the cornea (the transparent, outermost layer of the eye that covers the iris) becomes abraded, lacerated, or penetrated.

1. Abrasion: Abrasions involve instances when foreign objects come into contact with the front surface of the epithelium (the top surface of the cornea). On occasion, foreign bodies may embed itself in the epithelium which may require your doctor’s skill to remove. On most occasions, the eye is able to repair itself. However, the recovery process is usually very uncomfortable and may result in scars known as a “rust ring.”

2. Laceration: This type of injury involves the deeper layer of the cornea (also known as the “stroma”) that cannot repair itself completely and leaves the cornea with a scar. This scar may negatively interfere with one’s vision.

3. Penetration: This type of injury involves a foreign object entering all the way through the cornea and into the anterior chamber of the eye or farther. The most serious of all corneal injuries can cause cataracts, inflammation of the iris and anterior or posterior chamber, ophthalmitis (inflammation of the entire interior of the eye), and retinal detachments or retinal tears.

One of the most serious events from a penetration injury to the eye is when the uninjured eye develops what is known as “sympathetic ophthalmia.” This is an autoimmune reaction which may affect both eyes even when only one eye may have originally been injured. This condition may lead to permanent blindness. Remember, it is important that any injury to your eye is followed closely by a medical professional.

Common symptoms of these types of injuries include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Eye pain;
• Photophobia (sensitivity to light);
• Increased tears production;
• Blurred vision;
• Distorted vision;
• Loss of vision;
• Eye muscle spasms;
• Squinting;
• Diplopia (double vision);
• Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea);
• Redness;
• “Gritty” or “sandy” sensation in the eye;
• Headaches;
• Permanent visual impairment.

On many occasions, sharp injuries to the eye may require surgical intervention by an ophthalmologist. Immediate medical treatment and/or repair are essential.

Chemical Exposure Injuries

Chemical exposure injuries occurred when foreign material accidentally gets into your eye. This can cause severe pain, inflammation to the cornea, eye, and adnexa of the eye (such as eyelashes, eyebrows, and eyelids). These types of injuries typically occur as the result of exposure to various chemical substances such as household cleaning materials, acidic compounds, and basic compounds. These exposures can occur as a result of direct contact to the eye (sprayed or splashed into your eye) or as a result of indirect contact to the eye (rubbing your eye).

While chemical burn injuries to the eye may occur at home, it is also common for such injuries to occur at the workplace. There are many jobs that involve the use of various chemical substances on an almost daily basis. In such a case, it is important that you are provided with proper safety equipment and that all safety precautionary measures are followed to prevent any chemical exposures to your eye. Chemical exposure burns to your eye may result in very serious debilitating effects including permanent blindness.

Common symptoms of these types of injuries include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Eye pain;
• Redness;
• Swelling;
• Blurred vision;
• Irritation;
• Inability to maintain affected eye open;
• Increased tears production;
• Loss of vision;
• Permanent visual impairment;
• Blindness.

Following a harmful chemical exposure to your eye, it is important you wash your eye with a saline solution or regular tap water. Be sure to seek immediate attention from a medical professional following a harmful chemical exposure to your eye.

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries most typically occur as the result of exposing your eyes to harmful ultraviolet rays, such as from a tanning booth or a solar eclipse. However, many burn injuries to the eye often occur at construction sites. Many welders are commonly exposed to ultraviolet rays since the welding flames emit ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, and intense lights. Such an exposure may lead to photokeratitis (also known as ultraviolet keratitis) that may be more commonly referred to as a “welder’s flash,” an “arc eye,” or a “flash burn.” In light of the potential risk, it is important that you are provided with proper safety equipment and that all safety precautionary measures are followed to reduce the risk of any burn injuries to your eye.

Burn injuries can include the following injuries and/or symptoms:

• Photokeratitis/ultraviolet keratitis (exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays);
• “Sunburn” to the eye;
• Welder’s flash;
• Arc eye;
• Flash burn;
• Bake eyes;
• Corneal flash burns;
• Niphablepsia (also known as “snow blindness”);
• Diplopia (double vision);
• Increased tears production;
• Eye pain;
• Eye muscle spasms;
• Squinting;
• Swelling;
• Photophobia (sensitivity to light);
• Pupil dilation disorders;
• Permanent visual impairment.

Damage from ultraviolet light exposure can occur fairly quickly but, on occasion, is not immediately apparent. There is typically a latent period of approximately six to twelve hours between the initial exposure and the onset of symptoms. If you believe you may have suffered such an injury or exposure, be sure to seek immediate attention from a medical professional.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

At the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, PLLC, we know that the gift of sight is immeasurably important in our ability to enjoy life. Our legal team treats eye injury cases seriously. We understand the extreme significance that eyesight plays in our daily life activities and the effects of a life-altering accident leading to a permanently reduced or complete loss of vision. Our aggressive attorneys fight zealously to ensure we obtain the best possible outcomes for our clients and for you. If you believe you have suffered an eye injury due to the negligence of someone else, please contact the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, PLLC here, or call us any time at 212-962-1020 (toll-free at 877-MSL-4LAW or 877-675-4529) for a free consultation where we can answer any of your questions and get you the full compensation you deserve.