Eyes – Injury Claim Worth_.

Based on the following sampling of case law, the range for general damages awarded for suffering from eye injuries as a result of an accident is between $28,661 – $303,740 [adjusted for 2023 inflation rates]. The general damage award amounts for each individual case below have not been adjusted for inflation. For your convenience, the Bank of Canada Inflation Calculator can be accessed here.

As described in our General Damages Guide, these awards are only for general damages which compensate you for your pain and suffering. There are other types of damages that you may be entitled to claim, such as lost income and medical care costs, depending on the circumstances of your case. To assess the total value of your injury claim, try our Injury Claim Calculator or book a free consultation.

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The case law

Bunnah (Guardian ad litem of) v. Bunnah, 2016 BCSC 264

• The 5-year-old plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his mother. The vehicle was going too fast for the slippery winter conditions and skidded down a ten-foot embankment. The plaintiff suffered from a cut, bruising and swelling around his eye, an eye infection, displaced fracture of the orbital floor on the right side of his face, and anxiety and stress following the accident. His eye and facial injuries and anxiety were healed within 6 months. He suffered ongoing stress at the time of trial. He received $31,000 in general damages.

Tse v. Binns, 2014 ONSC 2091

• The 17-year-old plaintiff was struck in the eye with a lit firecracker, resulting in the loss of that eye. He had a prosthetic eye inserted, but remained self-conscious of the appearance of his eye. He suffered from migraine headaches for some time after the injury occurred. He had an increased risk of deterioration in his remaining healthy eye. He received $125,000 in general damages.

MacIntyre (Litigation guardian of) v. Pitt Meadows Secondary School, 2010 BCSC 256

• The 22-year-old plaintiff was in two motor vehicle accidents a few years apart. In the second accident, he suffered a soft-tissue injury in his back, headaches, neck pain, as well as deterioration of pre-existing esotropia (deviation between eyes). He underwent two eye surgeries and suffered a disruption to his vision. He received $22,500 in general damages.

Galka v. Stankiewicz, 2010 ONSC 2808

• The 45-year-old plaintiff was accidentally shot in the eye with an arrow by his friend. He required surgery to remove the arrow and spent 6 months in rehabilitation. He suffered a severe brain injury, had difficulty walking, limited control of his dominant hand, deafness in one ear, minimal vision in one eye, reduced cognitive function, depression, panic attacks, and suicidal ideation. The court assessed general damages at $225,000, which was reduced by 50% due to the plaintiff’s contributory negligence.

Brinkman v. Rollings, 2003 BCSC 1110

• The 17-year-old plaintiff was injured when the bus she was on struck logs on a logging truck. She suffered a concussion, post-concussion syndrome, eye pain lasting 8 months, headaches lasting 15 months, moderate to severe whiplash to her back and neck, and a contusion and bump over her eyebrow. She received $25,000 in general damages.

Mayburry v. Ontario (Liquor Control Board), 2002 CanLII 53276 (ON CA)

• The 33-year-old plaintiff placed a bottle on a table, and it slipped off and exploded, causing glass fragments to fly into her left eye causing extensive damage. The eye ruptured and she required several surgeries. The eye collapsed twice due to lack of fluid. Her cornea was extensively lacerated, resulting in little vision, and risk of losing her vision altogether should that eye become infected. She had a severe astigmatism and needed and a corneal transplant and intraocular plastic lens. She suffered extreme irritation from the stitches in her eye. Since her eyes became sensitive to glare, she could no longer drive at night. She suffered from PTSD, depression, and embarrassment, as well as a change in personality after the accident. She received $70,000 in general damages.

Morse v. Cott Beverages West Ltd., 2001 SKQB 550

• The teenage plaintiff was injured while opening a bottle of pop manufactured by the defendant. The bottle cap caused a significant blunt injury to her right eye. She feared that blindness or glaucoma would result from the injury. She developed a cataract and was permanently photosensitive and had trouble with depth perception. The plaintiff lost her starting position on her high school basketball team. She received $18,000 in general damages.