Injuries to the Senses
Injury Lawyer Cleveland: Tim Misny
Personal Injury Lawyer for More Than Four Decades!
From the moment we are born, we begin using our senses to evaluate the world around us. There is nothing more precious. The concept of losing one or more senses is inconceivable, especially if that loss is the result of negligence.
Loss of senses can result from a host of negligent causes; medical malpractice (specifically medication errors, anesthesia mistakes, complications of brain surgery, and the use of unsafe medications), work accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and the use of defective products. The severity and type of injury varies depending on which of the six senses is affected.
The Six Senses
Sight
Hearing
Taste
Touch
Smell
Proprioception (sense of self movement)
Loss Of Sight
Eyesight Injuries
Blindness in one eye- Blindness in one eye is the complete or significant loss of vision in a single eye, resulting in reduced or no visual perception from that eye. This can lead to challenges in activities requiring binocular vision, reduced peripheral vision, and difficulties with depth perception.
Total blindness- Total blindness refers to the complete absence of vision in both eyes, resulting in the inability to perceive light or any visual stimuli. Profoundly impacting daily activities, independence, blindness may require adaptive strategies for navigation and communication. You may have to lean on the help of the services of others as well.
Complete loss of one or both eyes- Complete loss of one or both eyes can be life changing. Not only impacting your daily activities, it can lead to lost wages because of your inability to work, or need to find a new job. it is possible that surgery can help, leading to recovery time and medical bills.
Chronic blurry vision- Chronic blurry vision is a persistent visual condition described as an ongoing lack of clarity and focus in one’s sight. This life situation will affect activities such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces. The challenges in daily functioning will potentially requiring corrective measures such as glasses or medical intervention.
Glaucoma- Glaucoma is an eye disease that increases intraocular pressure, causing damage to the optic nerve, resulting in gradual vision loss and potential blindness if left untreated.
Macular degeneration- A progressive eye condition where the macula, responsible for central vision, deteriorates over time. The blurred or distorted vision, difficulty recognizing faces or reading, and potential central blindness may force change in many things you do daily.
Cataracts- The clouding of the eye’s natural lens, cataracts causes blurry or dim vision, glare sensitivity, and reduced color perception. This will ultimately impacting daily activities and requiring surgical intervention to restore clear vision.
If you have suffered an eyesight injury through no fault of your own, you need to call me today to discuss. I have decades of experience as a personal injury attorney. We will file a claim, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Possible Causes of Eye Injuries
Misdiagnosis- Misdiagnosis can result in eyesight injuries because of delayed or incorrect treatment, leading to worsening of underlying eye conditions. The delayed management of serious diseases, or inadequate intervention for vision-related issues, can potentially result in irreversible damage or loss of vision.
Delayed diagnosis- A delayed diagnosis is prolonging the absence of proper treatment. This may allow underlying eye conditions to progress unchecked, potentially leading to irreversible vision loss, complications, or missed opportunities for timely intervention and management. We need to discuss your liability claim before the cost of medical care to treat your injuries becomes more costly for you.
Unsafe chemicals- Unsafe chemicals can cause eyesight injuries by direct contact or exposure, leading to chemical burns, irritation, inflammation, or corneal damage. Possible permanent vision loss can occur, depending on the nature and severity of the chemical and the extent of exposure.
Blunt trauma to the eye or head- I have worked with clients who suffered blunt trauma to the head while performing their job. This blunt force can cause eyesight injuries by impacting the delicate structures of the eye, resulting in retinal detachment, optic nerve damage, hemorrhage, or fractures. This may lead to vision impairment, partial or total blindness, and require immediate medical attention for assessment and treatment.
Traumatic brain injury- Traumatic brain injury, however it was caused, can result in eyesight injuries by affecting the visual pathways and brain regions responsible for vision. Possible visual disturbances such as double vision, visual field loss, or permanent vision impairment, can occur. Specialized evaluation and management by healthcare professionals with expertise in both neurology and ophthalmology will likely be required. This traumatic injury can be lead to many future medical expenses.
Surgical mistakes- As in the case of a misdiagnosis, errors by doctors can be disastrous. Surgical mistakes can cause eyesight injuries by damaging vital eye structures. Improper incisions, incorrect placement of implants or lenses, or other errors, may lead to vision complications. You may suffer corneal damage, infection, or even permanent vision loss, emphasizing the importance of skilled surgical expertise and diligent surgical protocols to minimize such risks.
For over 40 years, I’ve been a personal injury lawyer in Ohio, recovering millions of dollars for my injured clients. Day after day, I fight against those who have caused great harm to my clients as a result of negligence. Call me today for your free consultation!
Loss Of Hearing
Hearing Injuries
Total deafness- The complete loss of hearing in both ears, or total deafness, is the inability to perceive any sound or auditory stimuli. The significant challenges in communication, social interactions, learning, and accessing auditory information, usually requires help in some daily activities. Learning alternative methods of communication such as sign language, reliance on visual cues, and the use of assistive devices to enhance daily functioning and participation in the hearing world is necessary.
Partial deafness- A loss of hearing in one or both ears, may result in a significant reduction in the ability to hear and recognize different sounds. This may result in difficulties with speech perception, and participating in conversations. You may need to use hearing aids or other assistive technologies to improve auditory perception and enhance your quality of life.
Deafness in one ear- Also known as unilateral deafness. Deafness in one ear is described as the complete or significant hearing loss in a single ear. You may suffer the inability to perceive sound or auditory stimuli from that ear, which can lead to challenges in localizing sounds, understanding speech in noisy environments, and difficulty with stereo or binaural hearing. You may require adaptive strategies such as relying on the functioning ear, using assistive listening devices, or consider interventions like cochlear implants.
Tinnitus or ringing in the ear- Tinnitus, commonly known as ringing of the ears, is a condition where the perception of persistent sound or ringing occurs in one or both ears. Annoying, yes, but it can cause significant disruptions in daily life, including difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, heightened stress or anxiety, and challenges in communication. It often requires management techniques, such as sound therapy, counseling, or hearing aids, to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
Loss of balance- This is a condition where disruptions in the inner ear’s vestibular system result in impaired balance and coordination, leading to dizziness, vertigo, unsteadiness, and an increased risk of falls.
Any of these unfortunate situations can be very costly to you, and you deserve to be compensated. If you are in Cleveland, Ohio and need help because of an accident or medical error, you need to call me today, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Possible Causes of Hearing Loss
Medical mistakes- Hearing injuries can be caused by medical mistakes, potentially damaging the delicate structures within the ear. Improper administration of medications and errors during surgical procedures are examples. These errors can result in hearing loss, tinnitus, or other auditory complications. This emphasizes the importance of diligent healthcare protocols to minimize such risks.
Explosions- Loud explosions can cause hearing injuries by exposing the ears to an intense and sudden burst of high-decibel sound. You may suffer acoustic trauma, permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, or other auditory impairments. It is very important to use protective hearing devices and take other safety measures in environments where explosive noises are present.
Piercing of the eardrum- Piercing of the eardrum can cause a hearing injury by creating a rupture or hole in the delicate eardrum. Issues such as hearing loss, ear infections, tinnitus, or balance issues may result. Medical intervention or surgical repair of the eardrum to restore hearing function is often necessary.
Continuous exposure to loud noises- Hearing injuries can occur when subjecting the ears to prolonged high-decibel sounds. Consistent exposure to loud sounds can cause noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus, hypersensitivity to sound, or difficulties in speech perception. Wearing hearing protection and reducing your exposure to loud environments may help to prevent long-term auditory damage.
Blunt trauma to the head- Blunt trauma to the head can also cause hearing loss. Damage to the auditory system, such as inner ear structures or the auditory nerve, may result in hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, or other auditory impairments.
In Cleveland, personal injury lawyers need the expertise and financial resources to battle the insurance companies. I have the experience, resources and winning record to get you the justice and compensation you need and deserve. If you or someone in your family has a personal injury case, it is important to call me today, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Loss Of Taste
Types of Loss of Taste or Smell
Complete loss of taste and or smell- The total absence of the ability to perceive flavors or scents, which can lead to challenges in enjoying food, detecting potential dangers, impacting quality of life, and affecting social interactions. Taste and smell play crucial roles in our sensory experiences and the appreciation of our environment.
Partial loss of taste and or smell- Partial loss of taste or smell, also known as hyposmia, refers to a reduced ability to perceive flavors or scents, resulting in diminished sensory experiences. You may have difficulty identifying certain tastes or odors, and potential challenges in detecting spoiled food or hazardous substances. This changes your enjoyment of food, appreciation of aromas, and overall quality of life.
Possible Causes of Loss of Taste
Chemical inhalation- Chemical inhalation can cause loss of taste or smell by directly damaging the olfactory receptors or interfering with the nerve signals responsible for transmitting sensory information. This can result in a temporary or permanent impairment of the ability to perceive flavors or odors.
Head injury- Loss of taste or smell by damaging the olfactory nerves can be caused by a head injury. Getting hit in the head may disrupt the connections between the nose and brain, leading to a temporary or permanent impairment of the ability to perceive flavors or odors.
Allergic reactions- Allergic reactions can cause loss of taste or smell by triggering inflammation or swelling of the nasal passages. This may result in a temporary or permanent decrease in the ability to detect flavors or scents.
Dental work- Oral surgery. tooth extraction, or other dental work can cause loss of taste or smell due to nerve damage, infection, or medication side effects. Your sensory perception of flavors or odors, may be affected, which may gradually recover or remain impaired depending on the nature of the procedure and individual factors.
Complications with brain surgery- Complications with brain surgery can cause loss of taste or smell by inadvertently damaging the brain regions or nerves responsible for olfaction. A partial or complete loss of the ability to perceive flavors or scents is possible.
Anesthesia mistakes- Anesthesia mistakes can cause loss of taste or smell as certain anesthesia agents, their interactions, or inadequate delivery can result in temporary or permanent impairment of the olfactory system. This may affect the ability to detect flavors or odors. Such mistakes necessitates the proper administration and monitoring of anesthesia to minimize the risk of such complications.