Eye Injury (Ophthalmic) Claims

Who can bring an ophthalmology claim?
You may be able to claim compensation for any injuries you have suffered as a result of ophthalmic negligence i.e. because of a mistake made by a doctor or other healthcare practitioner which has affected your eyes, vision or sight.

If you have suffered harm, or financial loss, as a result of negligent treatment, you may be able to make a ophthalmology claim against the practitioner irrespective of whether the treatment was received through the NHS or on a private basis.

Hay & Kilner have acted for clients whose complaint relates to a range of ophthalmic procedures including:

• Laser eye surgery
• Cataract surgery
• Glaucoma treatments
• Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis
• Delayed management of retinal detachment
• Mismanagement of macular degeneration

Our client’s injuries include loss of sight and blindness, both temporary and permanent, partial and complete.

Why choose Hay & Kilner?
Hay & Kilner’s team of specialised clinical negligence solicitors has recovered hundreds of thousands of pounds of compensation on behalf of their clients in ophthalmic negligence claims.

• Blindness case settled for six-figure sum
• Claimant awarded £150,000 in ophthalmic negligence claim
  

We provide a high-quality service and will take the time to get to know you and understand exactly what you have been through to get you the compensation you deserve. We represent clients around the North East and are happy to come out to see you at home if you ever have difficulty attending the office.

When to make an ophthalmology claim?
An Act of Parliament sets out time limits for bringing a clinical negligence/ophthalmology claim. Failure to issue proceedings within this time scale may mean that the ophthalmology claim is time barred and cannot proceed.

The Limitation Act provides that the time limit is three years from the date on which harm resulted from the allegedly negligent action; or, if later, the date when you became aware that you received negligent treatment.

In the case of minors that is for the people who are under the age of 18 years, the limitation period does not begin to run until their 18th birthday.

If the injured person is suffering from a mental disability the time limit does not start to run until mental capacity has returned. If mental capacity never returns then an action for damages can be started at any time in the future even though the primary 3-year limitation period may have expired.

Find out more about when to pursue an ophthalmology claim with our article Is it too late to bring a clinical negligence claim?

How much does it cost to make an ophthalmology claim?
There are several ways an ophthalmology claim can be funded; the most common being under a Conditional Fee Agreement on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. Read more about the different ways to fund your potential ophthalmology claim with our article, ''No Win, No Fee" and other options for funding your medical negligence claim.

How long will an ophthalmology claim take?
Ophthalmology claims can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to reach a resolution. The likely timescale usually depends on the severity of your injuries and whether or not your doctor or other healthcare practitioner accepts responsibility for your injuries.

How do I start an ophthalmology claim?
If you think you may be entitled to compensation for an optical injury you have suffered, contact our team on 0191 232 8345 or using our online contact form and we will arrange an initial appointment to discuss your potential ophthalmology claim free of charge.