Making an eye injury claim

An eye injury from a road accident can range from a minor scratch that heals within days to a lasting change in vision. A road accident claim treats each level of severity on its own medical merits.

What an eye injury involves

Glass, debris or a direct blow during a crash can cause a range of injuries. These range from a corneal abrasion to an orbital fracture around the eye socket, or deeper damage to the retina or optic nerve. Airbag deployment is another recognised cause of eye trauma in car accidents.

How it affects daily life and work

Blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or a reduced field of view can make reading, screen work and driving difficult or unsafe. This can continue after the injury looks healed. Jobs needing good depth perception or a driving licence are the most affected.

The evidence and specialist report you need

An ophthalmologist’s report is central to the medical report for your claim. It should document your visual acuity, the specific diagnosis, and the outlook for further treatment or surgery. If your driving licence is affected, ask the specialist to address this directly in their report.

How it factors into your claim

Pain, suffering and loss of amenities are assessed against the Revised Compendium of Personal Injury Awards and your medical evidence, under section 28A of the Civil Law Act 1956^[1]. The degree and permanence of vision loss is central to that assessment.

Where your job depends on driving or close visual work, a future earning capacity claim may also apply. This is generally available up to age 60^[2]. How compensation is worked out sets out the wider framework.

Recovery and prognosis, realistically

Many eye injuries, particularly to the surface of the eye, heal well with treatment and time. Damage to the retina or optic nerve is more likely to leave some permanent change. An ophthalmologist’s honest, updated assessment is essential, rather than an early guess.

What to do next

Attend every follow-up appointment, even once your vision feels stable. Some eye conditions change slowly and need monitoring over months. The general deadline to bring a personal injury claim is six years from the accident in Peninsular Malaysia^[3].

Wait for the specialist’s assessment once your vision has settled before agreeing any figure. An independent lawyer can take the claim on and use that report for you.

If the injury has affected your ability to work in your usual role, loss of earning capacity explains that head of loss in more detail.