Blunt force trauma to your head or face can change your life in seconds. A hard hit from a car crash, fall or assault can damage your eye or the nerves connected to it. In some cases, your injury may heal. In others, your vision loss may become permanent. In Missouri, these injuries raise serious medical and legal concerns for you and your family.
How blunt force trauma damages your eye
Blunt force trauma happens when something strikes your eye or head without cutting the skin. A steering wheel, dashboard, baseball bat or a fall onto concrete can cause this injury.
The force can bruise your eye, detach your retina or damage your optic nerve. Your optic nerve carries signals from your eye to your brain. If it swells or tears, your vision may fade or disappear completely. You may lose sight right away. You may also notice blurry vision, flashes of light or sudden blindness hours later. Quick treatment may save some of your vision, but doctors cannot always restore it.
Your legal options after a serious eye injury in Missouri
When someone’s careless actions cause your injury, Missouri law may allow you to seek damages. Car crashes, unsafe property and workplace accidents often lead to these claims.
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule. This means you can still recover money even if you share some blame for the accident. However, the court reduces your final award by your percentage of fault.
You must know your deadlines. In Missouri, you generally have five years to file a lawsuit for negligence. However, if someone caused your injury through an intentional act like assault, you only have two years to file under Missouri law.
Understanding your next steps
Losing your vision can feel overwhelming. Your medical care should remain your priority, but learning about your legal rights can help you plan for your future. Severe vision loss often brings high medical bills and lost income that affect you directly.
Speaking with a Missouri personal injury attorney can help you track these important deadlines. An attorney can review your situation, explain how state law applies to you and help protect your evidence while it remains fresh.
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