Vision Loss/Eye Injury Workers Comp Settlement in South Dakota (2026 Estimate)
See how South Dakota law and this injury's typical severity combine to produce a settlement range.
Estimated Settlement Range
$3,700 – $9,300
Estimate only. Not legal advice. Actual settlement value depends on your specific case facts — consult a licensed workers comp attorney in South Dakota.
How This Estimate Is Calculated
This estimate starts with South Dakota's wage-replacement formula, then applies typical outcomes for Vision Loss/Eye Injury claims.
South Dakota pays 67% of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $1091/week. For a Vision Loss/Eye Injury claim, the typical temporary disability period is 4 weeks, with settlement multipliers ranging 1.4x–3.5x. See the full methodology for where this range comes from and what it doesn't include.
Here's the actual math: on a $1,000 average weekly wage, South Dakota's formula puts your weekly benefit at $667. Over the typical 4-week recovery window for Vision Loss/Eye Injury, that's $2,667 in wage-replacement before any settlement multiplier is applied. Multiplying that by this injury's typical 1.4x–3.5x range is what produces the $3,700–$9,300 estimate above. Your own number will differ based on your real wage — use the calculator on the homepage to plug in your actual figure.
What This Estimate Doesn't Account For
This range doesn't include several things that can meaningfully change a real settlement: your specific impairment rating once you reach MMI, whether the case is disputed, and any future medical treatment beyond the initial injury.
Whether surgery is needed for Vision Loss/Eye Injury varies enough that it's one of the biggest single factors separating a case at the low end of this range from one at the high end.
About Vision Loss/Eye Injury Claims
Because the eyes are especially vulnerable to flying debris and chemical splash, this injury category sees a wide range of outcomes — from full recovery to permanent vision impairment requiring a scheduled-loss award.
Common causes: Chemical splash, flying debris, impact
Surgery likelihood: moderate
For a deeper look at what specifically drives severity and impairment ratings for this injury — not just how it's calculated in South Dakota — see the full Vision Loss/Eye Injury resource, including how this injury compares across all 50 states.
South Dakota Workers Comp Rules
- Waiting period: 7 days
- Filing deadline: 365 days
- Attorney contingency fee: 25% maximum, up to 35% for cases requiring a court hearing
- State agency: South Dakota Division of Labor & Management
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a workers comp claim in South Dakota?
In South Dakota, the filing deadline is 365 days from the date of injury. See the full filing deadline guide for tolling rules and what happens if you miss it.
Is it worth getting a lawyer for a South Dakota workers comp case?
Most workers comp attorneys work on contingency (typically 25% maximum, up to 35% for cases requiring a court hearing of the settlement), so there's usually no upfront cost to get a case reviewed.
How much does a Vision Loss/Eye Injury claim typically pay out in South Dakota?
Estimated range for Vision Loss/Eye Injury in South Dakota: $3,700–$9,300. See the calculation breakdown above for how this was derived.