Airbag Eye Injury & Blindness

You May be Entitled to Financial Compensation for an Airbag Eye Injury

Airbag deployment can present several risks for eye injuries. In a study of airbag injuries published in the Survey of Ophthalmology, researchers found that eye injuries were the most common type of airbag-related injuries, and that “[d]amage to the orbit and virtually every ocular and adnexal structure has been seen.” The effects of an airbag eye injury can vary greatly, from minor scratches that do not cause visual impairments to total blindness.

While many accident victims will experience the effects of their injuries right away, the effects of an airbag eye injury can also develop over time. As the American Academy of Ophthalmology explains:

“Airbag injuries can cause visual loss in many ways. There could be a direct eye injury at the time of the accident such as a corneal abrasion, rupture of the eyeball, or nerve or retinal damage. This would be noticed at the time of injury or shortly afterward. If your vision decrease occurred several days or longer after the accident, [this] could be a late complication such as traumatic cataract, retinal detachment, or other problems.”

In short, if you have any concerns about your eyes or vision after being in an accident that involved airbag deployment, you should not ignore them. While airbags have saved many lives, they have also left many people with life-altering injuries. If you have suffered an airbag eye injury, not only is it important that you see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment, but it is also important that you speak with an airbag lawyer about your legal rights.

Your Legal Rights After Suffering an Eye Injury Due to Airbag Deployment

Why should you speak with a lawyer if you have suffered an airbag eye injury? In many cases, these injuries can prove incredibly expensive. Not only do they frequently result in substantial medical bills, but they can also leave accident victims unable to work for an extended period of time (if not the rest of their lives). As a result, many people who suffer traumatic injuries find themselves facing not only medical debt, but other mounting debts as well.

Suffering an eye injury or blindness due to airbag deployment can negatively impact your life in other ways as well. Many accident victims experience daily pain and suffering, and they struggle to cope with the long-term (or lifelong) effects of their injuries. They have flashbacks to what happened, and they find it difficult to spend meaningful time with their friends and family.

All of these are losses for which a lawyer can help you seek just compensation.

Airbags should not cause injuries. Airbag manufacturers have decades of experience, and they have access to the technology they need to develop and manufacture airbags that deploy properly and safely. Yet, airbag injuries remain a very real concern. When airbags cause injuries, manufacturers can—and should—be held accountable, and consulting with a airbag lawyer (which costs nothing out-of-pocket) is the first step toward seeking the financial compensation you deserve.

Common Types of Airbag Eye Injuries

Our firm represents accident victims who have suffered all types of serious airbag-related eye injuries. This includes (but is not limited to):

Blindness

Blindness can result from various forms of eye trauma caused by airbag deployment. Accident victims can suffer from full or partial blindness; and, as noted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, blindness caused by airbag deployment can onset immediately or gradually in the days following the accident.

Chemical Irritation and Keratitis

Airbags contain chemicals that cause them to inflate faster than the blink of an eye. In some cases, these chemicals can escape from the airbag, causing chemical irritation or keratitis. Also known as a corneal ulcer, keratitis is an inflammatory condition that can require various forms of treatment and presents risks for various complications.

Corneal Abrasions and Tears

Corneal abrasions are among the most common types of airbag eye injuries. In more severe cases, the cornea can tear, potentially requiring surgery.

Globe Ruptures

The globe of the eye can also suffer damage due to airbag deployment. Globe ruptures can result from either penetrating objects (i.e., plastic or glass shards forced into the eye by the airbag) or the blunt force trauma of airbag impact. A globe rupture is an ophthalmologic emergency that presents a risk for permanent blindness.

Hyphema

Hyphema is a medical condition characterized by the accumulation of blood within the eye. This accumulation can cause temporary full or partial visual impairment and can lead to blindness if left untreated.

Intraocular Lens Dislocation

Intraocular lens dislocation occurs when the lens in the eye is forced out of its normal position due to trauma. This airbag eye injury can cause visual impairments and present risks for various complications, including infection, bleeding, and retinal detachment.

Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment occurs when the retina on the back of the eye pulls away from the blood vessels that supply the eye with oxygen and nutrients. It is also considered a medical emergency, and prompt treatment will often be necessary to prevent permanent blindness.

Vitreous Hemorrhage

Vitreous hemorrhage is another airbag eye injury that is characterized by the accumulation of blood in the eye. While a vitreous hemorrhage can go away without treatment in some cases, it can take months for the eye to get back to normal, and accident victims can experience temporary vision loss and other visual impairments during this time.

Regardless of the type of injury you have suffered, if you have been harmed by an airbag, you owe it to yourself to find out how much you are entitled to recover. Your initial consultation is free and confidential, and you pay nothing unless you win.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation About Your Airbag Eye Injury Claim

Airbag injury lawyer David P. Willis has been a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer since 1988, and has represented injured clients against product makers and the automobile manufacturers for 40+ years. To discuss your airbag eye injury claim with Mr. Willis in confidence, give us a call or request a free consultation online today.