Eye Injuries

According to Prevent Blindness America (“PBA”), “Every 13 minutes, an emergency room treats a sports-related eye injury.” Every day, 2,000 Americans suffer eye injuries on the job.” [Corey Beghoefer, 5/20/19 EHS Today contributor]. On 2/23/2011, the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported [Workplace Injuries Involving the Eyes, p.2]: “In 2008, there were 27,450 [75.2 per day] nonfatal occupational [eye injuries or illnesses] that resulted in days away from work.” “Our vision is something that so many people take for granted until it’s damaged.” [Dr. Daniel D. Garrett – Senior V.P. for PBA]

Eye injuries are one of the most impactful injuries to your person. Pain, suffering and medical expenses caused by someone’s negligence are not the most impactful part of eye injuries – the most impactful consequence is upon your view on life through your eyes (especially if the injury causes blindness) day after day, for the rest of your life, and no amount of money is really sufficient compensation for the second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour, day after day, loss of your visual acuity.

Even though no amount of money can compensate for an eye injury’s effects, we’re committed to pursuing your claims as far as possible. As experienced eye injury lawyers we’ll go over all the details of your case; inform you of your options and file suit upon retainment, with no payment from you until the end of your case with us. We provide legal services to areas in the Greater Chicago Area, including (but not limited to) Orland Park, Chicago Heights, Tinley Park, Matteson, Frankfort and Park Forest, IL.

My first eye injury case came in November of 1984. The case involved two sisters (one 6 and one 9 years old). Earlier that day, their mom had purchased the 6-year-old a fairy princess costume for trick-or-treating the following day. Along with the costume, the mother had bought a wand. Later that night, while playing, the younger sister made a wish, and the older sister granted it by waving the wand toward her little sister. The wand consisted of a tinsel star, attached to a long, thin plastic tube at the top. This star consisted of wire, bent into the shape of a star, all wrapped in tinsel except for the wire’s end, which was inserted into the plastic tube. This wire was held in the plastic tube by a drop of glue. When the older sister granted the younger sister her wish, the tinsel star flew out of the tube, directly into the younger sister’s eye, causing serious injury to the eye, including (but not limited to) retinal tearing; leading to detachment of her retina. Unfortunately, the little sister did not cry loudly enough to attract the attention of their parents. Since they were scared to wake their parents up, they waited until morning. When their parents were told the next morning, they immediately took their daughter to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, retinal detachment (like most eye injuries) requires immediate medical attention, and she lost considerable visual acuity.

Since this was my first eye injury case, I looked up not only eye injuries but also other lawyers who specialized in that type of injury. After much research, I found the lawyer who had the highest jury award in the U.S. for eye injuries case — he practiced in Chicago, IL. I met with him several times, and the lawyer agreed to work with me on the case. This particular case was ultimately settled for $900,000. Ever since that day, since it was at no additional cost to my Clients, whenever I deemed appropriate, I have consistently worked with other attorneys (who are considered to be at the “top”) in their respective fields of concentration, and there is no additional cost (or fee) charged to the Client for having two law firms instead of one involved in their case.