Ocular injuries resulting from accidents and other causes may be accompanied by pain and financial hardship. Costs of medical treatment for eye trauma, such as a corneal abrasion, may be unsettling, particularly if the injury leads to permanent damage. An injury to the cornea may cause eye pain from foreign body sensation, extreme sensitivity to bright light (photophobia), and difficulty opening the eyes. Eye injuries may occur at any time, and the use of protective eye gear is essential for safety.

If you suffered an ocular injury, such as a corneal abrasion, in an accident, reach out to our skilled California personal injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com for a free case evaluation at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We can meet with you anytime and provide free, friendly advice.

Since 1982, our personal injury law firm has handled many accident cases in Sacramento County and Golden State. Here at AutoAccident.com, we are your California injury attorneys. Contact our legal team today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your corneal abrasion case in detail. We are available anytime to hear your story, review your options, and provide free, friendly case advice. Our law office operates on contingency, meaning we are not paid unless you do.

Contact with sports equipment, workplace debris, cosmetic brushes, and tree branches has the potential to result in corneal abrasions. Small particles, like sand, may cause a scratched eye, particularly if an individual rubs their eyes. Overusing contact lenses or using damaged contact lenses may increase an individual’s risk of corneal abrasion. Moreover, traumatic events are usually not the cause of most scratched cornea cases. However, objects or equipment in a motor vehicle may cause a corneal abrasion in the event of a crash, like airbags, flying debris, and broken glass.

The most common eye injury across all age groups is corneal abrasions. Complaints of eye pain account for approximately two percent of all primary care visits and conditions linked to trauma exposure, according to case studies. Of these visits, around eight percent are attributed to contact with foreign bodies. Scratched cornea cases are especially common in the workplace. Research data has shown an annual incidence of 15 per 1000 employees in autoworkers in the United States.

In an initial encounter with a patient presenting with an ocular injury, a physician will initiate an eye exam with a penlight. An indication of a globe rupture is a pupil with an abnormal shape. A physician may facilitate the eye examination with the use of topical anesthetics. Corneal infiltrates or corneal opacity may occur in cases involving infection or ulcers in the cornea. Excessive rubbing may be the culprit for a hazy cornea and an indication of edema. Lowered visual acuity may be caused by an ocular injury. A referral to an ophthalmologist may be indicated in cases involving significant loss of visual acuity.

Fluorescein staining is useful in the visualization of a corneal epithelial defect. The fluorescein dye stains areas of epithelial loss. Under cobalt blue light, the fluorescein dye will appear green. The shape, size, and distribution of the defect in the cornea will vary based on the etiology. A geographic or linear shape is generally indicative of a traumatic corneal abrasion. Vertical linear lesions on the cornea are typically caused by foreign objects trapped under the upper eyelid. Eversion of the upper eyelid is necessary for the assessment of foreign objects.

Most scratched eye cases are typically minor and yield quick healing when small. Rinsing the eye with saline solution may help with washing out the foreign body. It is recommended to seek immediate medical care for a corneal abrasion. If untreated, it may become infected, resulting in a corneal ulcer (keratitis), an epithelial defect, or an open sore on the cornea. The corneal abrasion should be treated with antibiotic ointment or drops to decrease the risk of infection. Some options may include moxifloxacin drops, ciprofloxacin drops, and erythromycin ointment.

In the presence of a foreign body in the cornea, a physician may remove the foreign object with irrigation or a swab. This is typically done under direct visualization, and foreign body removal is generally performed after flipping the eyelid. If these techniques fail in the removal of the embedded foreign object, the use of a metal instrument may be necessary. If also unsuccessful, a referral to an ophthalmologist within 24 hours is necessary for foreign object removal, followed by the initiation of erythromycin, a topical antibiotic.

It may be necessary for a medical provider to administer prophylaxis against tetanus following penetrating eye trauma and other types of perforating ocular injuries. This limits the risk of developing tetanus from a penetrating eye injury. Tetanus is an infection caused by Clostridium tetani, a Gram-positive bacillus found in a wide array of anaerobic growth media. Superficial corneal abrasion cases typically do not require the administration of tetanus prophylaxis. This is attributed to the lack of evidence of devitalized tissue, infection, or ocular perforation in simple corneal abrasion cases.

Motorists owe a duty of care to others on the road to follow California traffic laws and adjust the control and speed of their vehicles for weather and roadway conditions. When a driver fails to do so, they may cause a car wreck potentially involving others. Motor vehicle collisions and other types of accidents may cause bodily injury to drivers, passengers, and other involved parties. A split second of careless or reckless driving may cause an incident causing harm to others. Typical car accident injuries may include head injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, internal trauma, etc.

Seeking reimbursement for crash-related losses starts with filing a personal injury claim against the party responsible for the incident and their insurance carrier. The primary purpose of bodily injury liability coverage is to pay out accident claims, including medical bills, wage loss, and other associated damages. What may be surprising is that insurers, including your own, may attempt to avoid paying what injured parties deserve. Remember that insurance carriers are businesses first and are usually not keen on fairly compensating claimants.

If insurers attempt to deny your claim, your damages exceed the other side’s policy limits, or resort to other tactics, a skilled injury attorney will determine the best course of action moving forward. This may include reviewing the claimant’s insurance policy for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. The premise of UM and UIM coverage is to protect those injured in a crash with a motorist who does not have sufficient liability coverage to pay for damages or one with no auto insurance. Retaining legal counsel immediately is the best way to protect yourself and your right to compensation after an accident.

All cases for personal injury have strict time limits that claimants must follow. If an injured party misses a deadline, the court may dismiss the case, and they may lose the right to seek financial compensation. According to CCP 335.1, claimants have a maximum of two years to file in court. Following an accident that causes a traumatic injury, such as a corneal abrasion, discussing the case with a skilled California accident attorney is a good idea. Retaining legal counsel as soon as possible can ensure that the statute of limitations is protected in your case.

A California accident attorney from our law firm helps people who have suffered traumatic injuries, including corneal abrasions, in crashes through no fault of their own. If you were injured in a recent car wreck, you could depend on our legal team at AutoAccident.com to protect your rights and have your best interests at heart at every step of your case. When you turn to us for assistance, our skilled lawyers will seek full financial recovery for your medical bills, pain and suffering, wage loss, and other damages. Additional details about our services are available in this video or a free consultation.

If you suffered a corneal abrasion or another type of trauma to the eye from an accident and have questions about your case, contact our California personal injury lawyers today. At AutoAccident.com, our legal team has decades of combined experience and an in-depth understanding of navigating accident cases. We are committed to client success, reflected in our history of verdicts and settlements. Contact our law firm via phone at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 to set up a meeting for free, friendly case advice today.

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