A globe rupture is a type of ocular injury that generally requires immediate diagnosis and medical treatment. There are two types of mechanisms that may cause a disruption in the integrity of the outer membrane of the eye, including a rupture due to blunt force trauma and laceration, perforation, or penetration. A perforating injury of the eye is one where there is an entrance and an exit wound; penetrating trauma may involve an object penetrating the eye but does not go entirely through it. In the latter, there may be an intraocular foreign body that is found within the eye. A globe rupture may occur from any type of incident involving sharp projectiles or objects, traffic collisions, sports injuries, and workplace accidents.

If you suffered ocular injuries such as a globe rupture in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our law firm to receive free, friendly advice from one of our personal injury lawyers in Sacramento at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 today.

At our law firm, we have been protecting the rights of parties injured in all types of accidents for over three decades. You may find yourself with more questions than answers after you have been hurt in a traffic collision. Our team of personal injury lawyers is here to provide you assistance, find answers, and hold at-fault parties accountable for the harm their actions have caused you. We will handle all aspects of your case to ensure you receive a favorable outcome. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get your life back on track after a traumatic crash.

The incidence of ruptured globe cases is approximately 3.5 ocular injuries per 100,000 individuals. Approximately 80 percent of open globe injury cases are comprised of males. Among these cases, this type of eye trauma is almost twice as common in those under the age of 40 in comparison to those over 40-years-old.

Slip and fall accidents are the leading causes of globe ruptures in the elderly. Ocular injuries in the adult population are often attributed to blunt force trauma from work-related injuries involving the use of a hammer, motor vehicle crashes, and physical altercations. In the pediatric population, ocular trauma is often linked to sharp objects that have caused direct penetration to the globe, such as scissors and writing utensils.

A globe rupture may occur when there is a defect in the sclera, cornea, or both ocular structures. Most cases involve direct penetrating trauma. However, if there is a substantial blunt force exerted on the eye, a rupture of the sclera may occur through increased intraocular pressure. Some of the symptoms of a ruptured globe may include:

• Deformity of the eye
• Pain in the eye area
• Loss of vision

A ruptured globe is a diagnosis that may compromise vision and generally requires an immediate ophthalmologic evaluation.

Immediate consultation with an ophthalmologist is necessary in cases where a ruptured globe is suspected. A patient should receive initial treatment for any other injuries that are considered life-threatening. A cup, Fox shield, or another protective device should be utilized for eye protection. Removal of intraocular foreign bodies will only occur during surgical intervention. Approaches that may lead to increased intraocular pressure must be avoided, such as ocular ultrasound, lid retraction, and tonometry.

A patient presenting with an open globe injury should be administered a booster if there is incomplete or uncertain immunization history. That is because the wound may be prone to tetanus. While no specific type of antibiotic may treat or prevent tetanus, topical antibiotics that are free of preservatives may be useful in decreasing the risk of other bacterial infections like endophthalmitis.

An ophthalmologist should initiate surgical intervention once it has been determined that the patient has cleared the safety protocol for surgery. Any delay in surgical management may lead to an increased risk of postoperative endophthalmitis and exacerbated visual outcomes. Once a wound has been repaired, a patient should be administered intracameral or intravitreal antibiotics, as these have been found to lower the risk of endophthalmitis after an open globe injury.

Complications may vary in globe rupture cases based upon the depth and location of the ocular injury in addition to the type and severity of trauma to the eye. With deeper ocular trauma, some of the potential complications may include endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, choroidal rupture, cataracts, and post-traumatic glaucoma. In superficial eye injury cases, corneal scarring may occur.

Enucleation or the removal of the affected globe and intraocular contents with preservation of other orbital and periorbital structures may be necessary in severe trauma cases that may not be resolved with ophthalmologic surgical intervention. Various degrees of vision loss may also be reported.

When an individual has been involved in an accident in California where traumatic injuries such as a globe rupture were sustained, they may be entitled to financial compensation for losses in connection to the collision. A settlement or jury award is intended to make an injured party whole again or put them in the position they were originally in before the incident occurred.

In California, an injured party is entitled to claim two types of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are intended to provide compensation to a claimant for the financial losses they have experienced because of accident-related injuries. These may include costs of past and future medical treatment, loss of earnings, lost future earning potential due to permanent disability, and more. Non-economic damages consider the intangible harms an accident and subsequent injuries have had on a claimant. These may include payment for lost enjoyment of life, loss of consortium for the damage a serious injury has caused to a marital relationship, mental anguish, and pain and suffering.

Aside from compensatory damages, punitive damages may also be sought to make an example out of the at-fault party and hold them accountable for their egregious conduct, such as DUI or excessive speeding. These are designed to send a signal to others in the community that such behavior will not be tolerated. Clear and compelling evidence must be provided to demonstrate the other party’s actions that are indicative of malice, fraud, or oppression. This is by the California Civil Code Section 3294.

There are specific steps that must be taken that are usually part of the process of bringing a bodily injury claim. This also requires avoiding pitfalls that may affect the value of the case. The experience, skills, and resources of an injury lawyer may make a world of difference in such situations. An attorney with years of experience handling personal injury cases will know the best way to proceed and how to avoid the defense tactics insurance companies will often use to get out of paying fair compensation on claims. For details on how to find the best lawyer to handle your eye injury case, watch this video.

There is a limited amount of time after a crash that a lawsuit must be filed. The sooner an injured party retains legal counsel, the more time an injury attorney has to build a strong case for fair compensation on their behalf. Keep in mind that the insurance company knows that the time to file a personal injury suit may run out and will often use this as a way of taking advantage of claimants. This is because any case filed after the statute of limitations has expired may result in the court dismissing it.

For a motor vehicle accident, there is a two-year statute of limitations that may apply as outlined in the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. If the incident involved a government entity, a notice of claim must be brought within six months of the accident date. This is by the California Government Code Section 911.2. The deadline must be met if a settlement is not reached with the insurance company within the time frame. Reach out to an experienced injury attorney to learn about the other filing criteria and deadlines that may apply to your case.

Our legal team handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. These agreements are useful because they allow injured parties access to legal representation without having to pay any upfront costs. A client is only required to pay attorney fees if there is a successful case outcome obtained on their behalf.

If you or a family member has suffered traumatic injuries such as a globe rupture in an accident through no fault of your own, it is essential to discuss your case with an experienced accident attorney immediately. Time is not on your side, and it is crucial to understand your rights as an injured party and whether you have grounds to bring a claim for financial compensation.

Our law firm has a proven track record of success representing injured parties and their families in personal injury cases and has collected fair compensation for them. Please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our accident lawyers with any concerns or questions on whether you may qualify to bring a claim for compensation today at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We are available anytime to review your case and provide free, friendly advice on how to move forward in your situation.

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