Can I claim compensation for loss of sight due to medical negligence?

If you have lost your sight because of medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. While compensation cannot turn back the clock, it can make living with the condition a little easier.

In this article, Caroline Webber-Brown, a partner in our Legal 500 recommended medical negligence team and DASLS Solicitor of the Year 2026, looks at the legal issues that need to be considered when making a compensation claim.

What do I need to prove?

There are two key elements to succeeding with a clinical negligence claim:

  1. Establishing a breach of duty

You prove that the hospital or optician failed to meet the expected standard of care owed to you when carrying out the treatment.

There are many ways in which a breach of duty can occur, for example through errors during surgery, delayed diagnosis (and therefore delayed treatment)), defective products such as contact lenses and prescriptions, or even through surgical trauma.

  1. Causation

You must prove that the breach of duty caused you to suffer sight loss or exacerbated existing sight conditions.

What Evidence do I need?

Expert medical evidence is needed to help prove breach of duty and causation. The expert will conduct a detailed and thorough review of your medical records and any witness statements and provide their expert opinion on your case. Experts will also be able to comment on any financial losses you’ve incurred, including the future cost of treatment, loss of earnings, and care.

Our experience of dealing with claims for loss of sight because of medical negligence

Caroline Webber-Brown, an experienced solicitor specialising in medical negligence claims and winner of the DASLS Solicitor of the Year Award, is currently representing a claimant who suffered sight loss as a result of a failure to monitor and treat symptoms of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. Sadly, the claimant has suffered permanent vision loss.

Caroline has also recently represented a client who underwent a rhinoplasty procedure which led to the loss of vision in one eye.

What steps should I take if I feel that my vision has been impaired because of medical negligence?

  1. If the treatment was provided in hospital, you can make a complaint to the hospital asking them to investigate the incident and provide answers
  2. You can contact one of our specialist solicitors for a free consultation. They will review your case and advise whether the claim has legal merit.
  3. You can request your own medical records by making a Subject Access Request (SAR) for review by a solicitor.

Book a free consultation with a medical negligence solicitor

We offer a free consultation service. Our team will assess your case and offer guidance on your options. We will also look into the availability of No Win – No Fee funding.

Call us on our 0333 888 0412 or email brief details of your case to us in complete confidence at info@medicalaccidentlawyers.co.uk

Loss of sight due to medical negligence

Insights

Related news, blogs, information and case studies.

Related Posts

Free Consultation

Get your free consultation by:

  1. Phoning our confidential helpline on 0333 888 0412
  2. Sending details of your case to info@medicalaccidentlawyers.co.uk
  3. Completing our online form:

How to Start Your Claim

Starting your medical negligence claim could not be simpler.

All you have to do is contact our friendly team for a free consultation. We will then walk you through the process. It's as easy as 1-2-3.

  1. We will assess the legal merits of your case, and tell you if we can assist.
  2. We will explain how No Win, No Fee funding works.
  3. When you are ready to go ahead, we will begin preparing your case.

What our clients say about us

We have over 1,600 reviews and an overall five-star rating on the independent legal review website, ReviewSolicitors.

Here is just a short selection of some of the reviews that our clients have left for our clinical negligence team:

  • Maddy Lawrence

    “With the premature death of our eldest daughter, as it turned out, by clinical negligence, we were facing a very difficult journey both in proving fault and keeping heart and soul together. That we were able to, in terms of the fault element, was down to our professional legal team. They provided clear, calm and compassionate advice which got us through a horrendous inquest and subsequent legal maneuverers. They, in short, were magnificent and we are extremely grateful that we had them on our side.”

  • Great firm!

    “I had an experience with Oliver Thorne who was nothing but helpful with settling my claim. He was very patient and professional as well as making sure I was happy and content throughout the whole process! Would highly recommend him if you’re looking for a solicitor!”

  • Excellent solicitor

    “I cannot recommend this firm highly enough and especially Caroline who is professional approachable and thorough, she works tirelessly and is a real credit to the firm, you are not made to feel like just a number as with other firms, it’s a pleasure to have such an excellent solicitor to represent you when you have gone through so much she is so understanding and knowledgeable.”

  • Friendly, professional, knowledgeable.

    “Oliver assisted me in the aftermath of my father’s sudden death in hospital. He helped me to draught my initial letter of complaint to the health authority, represented me and my mother at the inquest and ultimately succeeded in bringing a successful claim. I always felt I could approach Oliver with any questions and he would explain the legal processes in an understandable way. I would not hesitate to recommend him should anyone find themselves in a similar unfortunate position.”

  • Exceptional Service

    “I have received expert advice throughout my case, the attention to detail is second to none. Their professional outlook and relatability means that I always recommend the firm. When I was unclear of any information or possible outcomes they took the time to speak with me on a personal level, confirming our conversation through email, I feel supported and understood and most of all they are empathetic, something that is often missing from large firms.”

  • Thank you

    “On behalf of all of us, we would like to thank you for your guidance, professionalism, humanity and kindness you have shown us all throughout this process. You have explained everything to us in clear and concise terms throughout and we are extremely grateful. We would have no hesitation recommending you and using your services in future. Thank you.”

  • Mesh claim

    “I cannot thank the team enough there understanding and empathy and the knowledge is outstanding. Caroline has been supportive every step of the way, she has informed me and kept me updated how the claim has progressed she has also had great understanding around my mental health and the physical damage I have occurred. I cannot thank the team enough. The team made this experience easier for me to deal with my emotional distress and pain.”

  • Compassionate, thorough, and outstanding legal support thus far

    ”Jade was incredibly friendly, taking the time to ask all the right questions and thoroughly investigate our case. Unlike previous solicitors, who dismissed us, Jade and the team at Slee Blackwell delved deeper and gave us renewed hope. We are extremely grateful for the dedication and professionalism in fighting for us. I would recommend Slee Blackwell to anyone in need of legal assistance.”

10 Reasons to Choose Our Team

  1. We are specialist clinical negligence solicitors who are recommended by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners legal guides.
  2. We offer a nationwide service.
  3. We have a five-star ranking on the independent legal review platform, ReviewSolicitors.
  4. Team leader Oliver Thorne is an accredited AvMA panel lawyer.
  5. We have been awarded Lexcel accreditation by the Law Society for excellence in client care.
  6. We offer a sympathetic, understanding and refreshingly jargon-free approach.
  7. We believe that clients should be treated as valued individuals, not a number or just another problem to be solved.
  8. We have close links with independent medical professionals, and can therefore ensure we get the best possible expert input for your claim.
  9. We operate a medical negligence helpline which you can call on 0333 888 0412 for a free, no obligation consultation and case assessment. You can also contact our helpline by email at info@medicalaccidentlawyers.co.uk.
  10. We fund cases on a no win – no fee basis, so worries about legal costs should not put you off seeking justice.

Contact Us

For a free case assessment of your medicall negligence claim, call us on 0808 303 7986 or contact us and we'll get back to you at the earliest opportunity..

No Win, No Fee funding.
Recommended by the Legal 500
Team led by AvMA panel member Oliver Thorne
National free legal helpline

Free Case Assessment:

0333 888 0412

Or we can call you back at your preferred time.

Request Free Call Back
  • Helplines open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Client Testimonials

Review Solicitors 5 Star Clinical Negligence

Request a Free Call Back

Use this form to request a free call back at a time of your choice.