Vision changes resulting from a brain injury are a serious and often life-altering consequence of trauma, and they play a significant role in a California personal injury case. If someone else’s negligence caused the incident — such as a car accident or fall — and you’re experiencing vision problems as a result, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
Here’s what you should know about vision changes due to brain injury and how they factor into a personal injury claim in California:
👁️ Common Vision Changes After a Brain Injury
The brain and the visual system are closely connected. Even a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion can lead to a variety of vision issues. The occipital lobe (at the back of the brain) is responsible for processing visual information, and injuries here — or anywhere along the optic pathway — can result in:
Types of Vision Changes:
- Blurred vision
- Double vision (diplopia)
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Partial or complete vision loss
- Light sensitivity (photophobia)
- Eye strain or fatigue
- Difficulty focusing
- Visual field cuts (blind spots)
- Difficulty with eye movement coordination (tracking or convergence)
- Floaters or visual snow
- Trouble with depth perception or balance
⚖️ Legal Relevance in California Personal Injury Cases
In a California personal injury case, vision problems caused by a brain injury are often considered catastrophic or serious injuries, particularly if the damage is permanent or significantly impacts your quality of life.
Vision injuries commonly result from:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls (slip and fall or trip and fall)
- Sports injuries
- Physical assault or blunt force trauma
- Explosions or blast injuries
To recover damages, you must prove that your vision loss or impairment was:
- Caused by the injury
- Directly related to the defendant’s negligence
💰 Damages You Can Recover
🔹 Economic Damages:
- Medical bills (including eye exams, neurological assessments, imaging tests like MRIs or CT scans)
- Ophthalmology and neuro-optometry care
- Vision therapy or rehabilitation
- Corrective lenses, visual aids, or assistive technology
- Surgery (if applicable)
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Transportation or mobility support (if vision changes affect driving or independence)
🔹 Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life (difficulty reading, driving, working, or engaging in hobbies)
- Emotional distress (depression, anxiety, or PTSD from the trauma or vision loss)
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
- Loss of independence or autonomy
🔹 Punitive Damages (in extreme cases):
- If your brain injury was caused by gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional harm (e.g., DUI accident or assault), punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer.
📑 Proving Vision Loss Due to Brain Injury
Because vision loss may not be immediately visible, strong documentation and expert support are crucial:
✅ Medical Evidence
- Neuro-ophthalmologist evaluation
- MRI/CT scans showing brain trauma
- Optometric testing and vision field analysis
- Vestibular or balance testing, if applicable
- Medical records linking the vision issues to the date and cause of injury
✅ Symptom Logs or Daily Impact Journals
- Note how vision problems affect your daily life, work, social interactions, and emotional state
✅ Expert Testimony
- Neurologists, optometrists, and neuro-ophthalmologists can explain the link between your brain injury and vision changes
- Vocational experts can assess how your vision impairment affects your ability to work
⏳ California Statute of Limitations
In California, you generally have 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However:
- If the case involves a government entity, you have just 6 months to file an administrative claim.
- For minors, the statute typically doesn’t begin until they turn 18.
Failing to file within the legal time frame may bar you from recovering damages.
👨⚖️ Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney
Vision changes due to a brain injury can be difficult to prove and even harder to value, especially when they are permanent or invisible. A California personal injury lawyer can help you:
- Establish the link between the trauma and the vision loss
- Obtain the necessary medical expert opinions
- Calculate current and future losses (including non-economic harm)
- Negotiate with insurance companies for fair compensation
- File a lawsuit and represent you in court if needed