Accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, including vision loss. You might experience eye injuries that lead to partial or even total vision loss. Even if the loss is minor at first, your eyesight could worsen over time due to the injury, and your vision may continue to deteriorate. Depending on how the accident happened, you may sue those responsible.
You must get medical attention for your injuries. Your medical records, particularly those regarding your eyes and vision, may be crucial to the case. You should also call an attorney for legal help as soon as possible. They can help you determine the value of your claims so that you get all the compensation you are entitled to. You need evidence of your claims to sue. As mentioned, medical records will be important, but so might photos and videos from the accident, testimony from witnesses, and your own testimony about how your injuries have affected you.
Start your case with a free evaluation from our Columbia, SC personal injury attorneys by calling Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000.
How to Begin a Lawsuit for Vision Loss in South Carolina
Beginning a lawsuit may be more complicated than you first think, and you should get help from an attorney as soon as you can.
Get Medical Attention
Your lawsuit begins at the hospital after the . Prompt medical care is important for two big reasons. First, you need emergency medical attention to protect your eyes and hopefully minimize damage and vision loss. Second, you should begin compiling medical records about your injuries immediately, as they may be used as evidence in your lawsuit.
Call a Lawyer
After receiving medical care, call a lawyer and explain your situation. If you cannot make this call yourself, a close friend or family member should call for you. Your attorney can evaluate your situation and determine if you have strong legal claims for damages. They can help you begin your lawsuit and build your case.
Determining the Cause of Your Vision Loss
Numerous conditions may lead to vision loss, and we should consult with your doctor about it.
Sudden Injury
Some people experience sudden injuries that harm their eyes, causing vision loss. Perhaps a sharp blow to the head affected your eyes. Maybe your eyes came into contact with a hazardous or toxic material. These accidents might happen almost anywhere at any time, and urgent care is extremely important. Injuries like these often occur when people work with hazardous chemicals or engage in other activities that require goggles and eye protection.
Long-Term Illness or Condition
In other cases, people do not lose their vision all at once but rather as the result of a slow progression of an illness or condition. For example, someone might be exposed to hazardous chemicals at work that they are unaware of. Their vision might slowly deteriorate over time, and by the time they realize the problem, they have lost a significant amount of their vision.
Medical Negligence
Many other people experience vision loss after medical treatment gone wrong. If a doctor or medical professional provided treatment that was so negligent that it damaged your eyes, you may sue them for your injuries.
Evidence to Build a Lawsuit for Vision Loss in South Carolina
To prove your claims, we need evidence of your injuries and proof of the defendant’s negligence.
Medical Records
Your medical records are likely a key component of our evidence. Even if your vision loss is unrelated to medical negligence, the doctors who treat you should be documenting your injuries and the care you receive. They may also note prognoses and determine whether your vision loss is temporary or permanent. Our South Carolina personal injury attorneys will help you get records from all the doctors and hospitals that treated your injuries.
Testimony
Testimony from those who witnessed the accident may also be important. If you were injured in an accident, witnesses may testify about how it happened and whether they saw the defendant do anything negligent. Your own testimony may also be crucial.
Photos and Videos
Photos and videos from an accident scene may also be used as evidence. In many cases, accident scenes are quickly cleaned up, and evidence may be lost. As such, your photos and videos may preserve evidence that is otherwise lost.
How Much Time Do I Have to Sue for Vision Loss?
Your time to sue for vision loss and related injuries may be limited. The statute of limitations, under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(5), allows you only 3 years to file. If you cannot file your case within this time, you may be time-barred from bringing the lawsuit at all.
What Are Claims for Vision Loss Worth?
The value of claims for vision loss depends significantly on the extent of your injuries. If your vision loss is complete or total, you may be entitled to greater damages. If your vision loss is expected to be permanent and not recover, you may also be entitled to greater damages. Total and permanent vision loss may not only be more expensive to treat medically, but it is also likely to make finding work and earning an income very difficult.
FAQs for Suing for Vision Loss in South Carolina
Can I Sue for Vision Loss?
Yes, you can sue for vision loss if you believe someone else is responsible. The defendant does not have to have intentionally caused harm. They may be held responsible even if your injuries were accidental.
Who Do I Sue if I Lose My Sight?
You might sue someone who caused an accident that injured your eyes, a medical professional who failed to treat your vision problems, or someone else based on your circumstances. If you are unsure who is responsible, your attorney can help you.
What Are Claims for Lost Sight or Vision Impairment Worth?
The value of claims for vision loss depends on the overall severity of the injuries and the degree of your vision loss. More painful injuries that lead to more significant vision loss may be worth more compensation.
How to Prove Claims for Vision Loss
To prove your claims, we will likely need copies of medical records related to your eyes and the injuries caused by the accident. Depending on your situation, witness testimony and other forms of evidence may also be helpful.
Can I Sue for Partial Vision Loss?
You may sue for partial vision loss. However, damages in cases of partial vision loss may not be quite as high as those for complete or total vision loss. Even so, your case is still worthwhile, and you should speak to an attorney.
Can I Sue for Vision Loss if My Eyesight is Expected to Recover?
Even if your vision is expected to recover, you can still sue for your injuries. Even living with temporary vision loss can be frightening and expensive, and you may still be entitled to significant compensation.
Get Legal Support from Our South Carolina Personal Injury Attorneys
Start your case with a free evaluation from our Lexington, SC personal injury attorneys by calling Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000.
