Atlanta Eye Injury Lawyer

As attorneys at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we have dedicated our careers to helping Georgians navigate the aftermath of serious accidents. We witness firsthand the devastating physical, emotional, and financial toll these incidents take. Among the most catastrophic injuries we encounter are those affecting the eyes. Vision is a precious gift, integral to nearly every aspect of our daily lives, from working and driving to recognizing loved ones and appreciating the world around us. When an accident, caused by someone else’s carelessness, robs you of your sight, even partially or temporarily, the consequences are profound and life-altering. Our Atlanta eye injury lawyer team is here for you–call  us today at 404-975-1775 to have your case evaluated for free.

The delicate structure of the human eye makes it incredibly vulnerable to trauma. Unlike broken bones that can mend or cuts that can heal, damage to the intricate network of nerves, lenses, and fluids within the eye can often be permanent. Even a small injury to the eye can have devastating impacts on your life in the short and long term.

If you or a loved one has suffered an eye injury in an accident anywhere in Georgia – whether in Atlanta, Savannah, Macon, Columbus, Augusta, or any community in between – understanding your rights and the potential for seeking justice is crucial. At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we want you to know that you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Call us today at 404-975-1775 to have your case evaluated for free.

Injuries Our Atlanta Eye Injury Lawyer Team Sees

Eye injuries resulting from accidents span a wide range, from seemingly minor irritations to complete and irreversible blindness. Some common types we see in our practice include:

Blunt Trauma

This occurs when the eye or the area around it is struck by an object, but the eye itself is not penetrated. Car accidents, falls, and even workplace incidents involving falling objects are common causes of blunt eye trauma. Some effects of blunt trauma to the eye include, but are not limited to:

• Hyphema: Bleeding in the front chamber of the eye.
• Orbital Blowout Fracture: Fractures of the thin bones surrounding the eye socket.
• Retinal Detachment: The light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye pulls away. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.
• Traumatic Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s natural lens.
• Glaucoma: Increased pressure inside the eye, which can damage the optic nerve.

Penetrating or Perforating Injuries

These are among the most severe eye injuries, occurring when a foreign object pierces the cornea or sclera (the white part of the eye). For example, broken glass shards in a car crash, flying debris at a construction site, or metal fragments in an industrial setting can cause these devastating injuries. They often result in significant internal damage, infection, and a high risk of permanent vision loss or even loss of the eye itself.

Chemical Burns

Exposure to hazardous chemicals, common in certain workplaces (labs, manufacturing, cleaning services) or even from household products during an incident, can cause severe burns to the surface of the eye. The extent of damage depends on the chemical type, concentration, and duration of exposure. Alkali burns (like lye or ammonia) are often more severe than acid burns.

Corneal Abrasions (Scratches)

While sometimes considered minor, a scratch on the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) can be incredibly painful and susceptible to infection if not treated properly. Dust, debris, or even rubbing the eye after exposure to irritants during an accident can cause abrasions.

Traumatic Iritis

Inflammation of the iris (the colored part of the eye) is often caused by blunt trauma. It can cause pain, light sensitivity, and blurred vision.

Optic Nerve Damage

The optic nerve transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. Trauma, particularly severe head injuries often sustained in major accidents, can damage this vital nerve, leading to partial or complete blindness that is often irreversible.

Common Causes of Eye Injuries in Georgia Accidents

Accidents happen unexpectedly, but they often stem from negligence – the failure of another party to act with reasonable care. The Atlanta eye injury lawyer team at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we frequently see eye injuries arising from:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents are leading causes. High-speed impacts, shattering glass, deploying airbags (which deploy with significant force), and flying debris inside or outside the vehicle pose serious risks to the eyes. Truck accidents, due to their sheer size and weight, often result in more severe trauma. Motorcyclists, even with helmets, lack the structural protection of a car, making eye injuries more likely from road debris or direct impact.
• Workplace Accidents: Georgia’s diverse economy includes industries like construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics, where eye hazards are prevalent. Failure to provide proper safety goggles, inadequate machine guarding, chemical spills, falling objects, and welding flash can all lead to serious, compensable eye injuries. Employers have a duty to provide a safe working environment.
• Slip and Falls (Premises Liability): Property owners in Georgia have a responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe. Wet floors without warning signs, poorly lit stairwells, uneven pavement, or objects left in walkways can cause falls where a victim might strike their eye or face on the ground or nearby objects.
• Defective Products: Products that malfunction can cause unexpected eye injuries. Examples include exploding batteries, tools that shatter, faulty safety equipment that fails during an impact, or toys with sharp projectiles. Manufacturers and sellers can be held liable for injuries caused by defective or unreasonably dangerous products.
• Assaults and Intentional Acts: Sadly, intentional acts of violence can also result in severe eye trauma. While pursuing a civil claim against an assailant can be complex, it is sometimes a viable path to compensation.

Damages that the Atlanta Eye Injury Lawyers can Help With

The cost of an eye injury extends far beyond the initial emergency room visit. Victims often face a long and arduous road to recovery, laden with significant burdens:

• Extensive Medical Treatment: This can include emergency care, multiple surgeries (corneal transplants, retinal reattachment, cataract removal, reconstructive surgery), specialized ophthalmologist visits, medications (eye drops, pain relievers), vision therapy, and the need for corrective lenses or prosthetic eyes. These costs can accumulate rapidly, reaching tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• Lost Income and Earning Capacity: A serious eye injury can make it impossible to return to your previous job, especially if your profession requires good vision (e.g., drivers, pilots, surgeons, craftspeople, computer-based jobs). You may face temporary time off work during recovery or permanent limitations that necessitate a career change or prevent you from working altogether. This loss of income and future earning potential is a significant component of damages in a personal injury claim.
• Pain and Suffering: This legal term encompasses the immense physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life associated with the injury. Living with vision impairment or blindness can lead to depression, anxiety, loss of independence, difficulty with daily tasks, inability to enjoy hobbies, and significant psychological trauma. Compensation for pain and suffering acknowledges this profound human cost.
• Permanent Impairment and Disfigurement: Many eye injuries result in permanent vision loss, ranging from blurred vision or blind spots to total blindness in one or both eyes. Facial scarring or the loss of an eye can also cause significant disfigurement, impacting self-esteem and social interactions.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: Adapting to vision loss often requires significant changes, including home modifications, assistive technology, reliance on others for transportation, and learning new ways to perform everyday tasks.

Navigating the Legal Landscape in Georgia: How Our Atlanta Eye Injury Lawyers can Help

If your eye injury resulted from someone else’s negligence in Georgia, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. However, pursuing a personal injury claim, especially for a complex injury like eye trauma, can require a deep understanding of Georgia law. This is where Merritt & Merritt Law Firm can step in and help you get the most out of your compensation.

• Gathering Crucial Evidence: Building a strong case requires compelling evidence. We work diligently to collect police reports, witness statements, photographs/videos of the scene, employment records, and, critically, all relevant medical records documenting the extent of your eye injury, treatment, prognosis, and permanency. This step can be strenuous for those taking on their case alone, which is why it is best to let the Atlanta eye injury lawyers at our firm handle this for you.
• Working with Experts: Eye injury cases often necessitate testimony from medical experts, such as ophthalmologists and neurologists, to explain the complex nature of the injury, the necessity of treatment, and the long-term impact on your vision and life. This could provide crucial evidence to the severity of your injuries and prove negligence.
• Calculating Full Damages: Here at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm our Atlanta eye injury lawyers fight for compensation covering all your losses – past and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and any necessary adaptive costs. Valuing an eye injury requires understanding its profound lifelong impact.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Their goal is to protect their company’s bottom line, not your best interests. We handle all communications and negotiations with insurers, leveraging our experience and the strength of your case to demand a fair settlement that truly reflects the severity of your injury. Our Atlanta eye injury lawyers have experience dealing with insurance companies and are familiar with all of their tactics.
• Litigation and Trial: While many cases settle out of court, we are always prepared to take your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached. Our experienced trial attorneys are skilled advocates, ready to present your case persuasively before a judge and jury.
• Understanding Georgia Law: We are intimately familiar with Georgia’s specific laws, including the statute of limitations (generally two years for personal injury claims) and the modified comparative negligence rule (which can reduce your compensation if you are found partially at fault, but bars recovery if you are 50% or more at fault).

Don’t Wait – Call the Atlanta Eye Injury Lawyer Today

An eye injury caused by an accident can turn your world upside down with everything you have to deal with. The good news is that you do not have to carry this burden alone. If you or someone you care about has suffered an eye injury in Georgia due to another’s negligence, contact Merritt & Merritt Law Firm today. Let our experienced personal injury attorneys evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Your vision and your future are too important to leave to chance. Call us for a free, no-obligation consultation at 404-975-1775. We are here to help you see a path forward.