Eye injury claims cover everything from a corneal abrasion that heals in days to total blindness in both eyes - one of the highest sensory-injury categories in the Judicial College Guidelines. The JCG 17th edition (April 2024) has seven tiers ranging from 'total blindness and deafness' at the top down to 'minor eye injuries' at the bottom, with 'total loss of one eye' and 'complete loss of sight in one eye' treated as distinct categories in between. Visual field and binocular function both matter for valuation.
Casibus works with SRA-regulated personal injury specialists on a no win, no fee basis. Every case depends on its evidence.
JCG 17th edition eye injury brackets
Total blindness and deafness
The single highest non-catastrophic general-damages bracket - comparable in order of magnitude to the most severe brain-injury tier. Quality-of-life impact is profound.
Total blindness
Loss of sight in both eyes. Mid-six-figure bracket under the 17th edition.
Loss of sight in one eye with reduced vision in the other
Covers claimants with total loss of sight in one eye and significantly reduced vision in the remaining eye. Bracket reflects the substantial daily-living impact.
Total loss of one eye
Loss of the eyeball itself (enucleation). Cosmetic as well as functional impact; prosthetic eye is supplied. Typically low-six-figures.
Complete loss of sight in one eye
The eyeball is preserved but vision is lost. High-five to low-six figures.
Minor but permanent impairment of vision
Permanent reduced visual acuity; risk of later complications. Mid five-figure range.
Minor eye injuries
Corneal abrasion, traumatic iritis, short-term visual disturbance recovering fully within weeks to months. Low four-figures to low five-figures.
Common clinical patterns we see
- Foreign body / flying object - swarf, grinding particle, nail, glass; penetrating injury or corneal abrasion. PPE-failure cases are a consistent work-accident line.
Routes to an eye injury claim
- Work - factory / construction eye injury from flying object or chemical splash; failure to provide / enforce PPE (PUWER 1998, PPE Regulations, COSHH 2002). See factory accident claims, construction site accidents, defective equipment.
Retinal detachment - a named clinical-negligence risk
Retinal detachment is a surgical emergency. Symptoms of sudden flashes, floaters, or a shadow or curtain across the field of vision require same-day ophthalmology review. Delayed diagnosis (days, not hours) produces progressive loss of macular vision and, untreated, total retinal detachment. NICE and Royal College of Ophthalmologists guidance sets the time-critical framework. Missed retinal detachment - whether by GP, optometrist, or emergency department - is a high-value clinical-negligence scenario. See misdiagnosis claims.
Special damages in eye injury claims
- Ophthalmology treatment and surgery (private where NHS waits delay recovery).