What Damages Can You Recover After Losing Your Vision in an Accident?

Whether on the job, on the road, or because of using a faulty product, losing your vision due to someone else’s negligence is life-altering. Beyond the physical trauma, vision loss impacts your ability to work, care for yourself, and maintain independence. If you’re facing this reality and wondering what compensation you can pursue, our team is here to help.

When another party’s negligence causes your vision loss, Illinois law allows you to seek several types of compensation, including:

• Medical expenses
• Lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Assistive device and technology needs

At Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd., we’ve spent over 40 years helping Chicago injury victims secure the compensation they deserve. Our experienced attorneys know that vision loss cases require a thorough understanding of both immediate and long-term needs to calculate and pursue the right amount of compensation.

How Much Can You Recover for Medical Costs?

Vision loss often requires extensive medical intervention. You can pursue compensation for costs related to:

• Emergency room visits and hospitalization
• Surgery and reconstructive procedures
• Ongoing rehabilitation and therapy
• Prescription medications
• Follow-up appointments and monitoring

Many injury victims don’t realize they can also seek recovery of costs for future related medical care. If your doctor recommends ongoing treatment, those anticipated expenses should be part of your claim.

What Is Loss of Earning Capacity Worth?

Vision loss can drastically reduce your ability to earn income. This goes beyond immediate lost wages to encompass what you likely would have earned had you not been injured. If your job required visual acuity, partial or complete vision loss may prevent you from returning to your profession. An experienced attorney can work with vocational experts to calculate the full value of your diminished earning potential over your lifetime.

Can You Recover Damages for Pain and Suffering?

Vision loss can cause profound physical and emotional trauma that extends far beyond medical bills. Pain and suffering damages compensate you for:

• Physical pain from the injury and treatment
• Emotional distress and anxiety
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of enjoyment of activities you once loved

These damages are subjective, but they’re very real. Illinois law recognizes that no amount of money can restore your vision, but compensation can help ease the burden of adapting to your new reality.

What Assistive Devices and Technologies Can You Claim?

Living with vision loss often requires specialized equipment and technology. You may be able to seek compensation for assistive measures such as:

• Guide dogs and their training
• White canes and mobility aids
• Screen readers and voice-activated software
• Braille learning materials and displays
• Home modifications
• Transportation assistance
• Personal care services

These costs may extend throughout your lifetime. Your claim should account for replacement devices, ongoing training, and future technological needs.

Get the Compensation You Deserve

In a visual world, vision loss changes everything. While no settlement amount can restore your sight, proper compensation can help you access the care, support, and resources you need to rebuild your life.

At Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd., we fight relentlessly for injury victims throughout Chicago and Cook County. Our attorneys treat every case with the attention it deserves. Let us help you assert your rights and secure the compensation you’re entitled to after an accident—contact our team today.