Specsavers lorry driver lawsuit: Man sues opticians for £200k for failed eye test which he claims caused depression

Francis Hodibert, from Slough, Berkshire, says that failing a mandatory HGV driver’s eye test at his local Specsavers branch in 2022 he lost his job and subsequently became anxious and depressed, and he’s now worried he may never be able to work again.

The 62-year-old’s legal action claims that the optician's supposed negligence led to both his professional and personal distress, according to The Independent.

Commercial vehicle drivers are required by the DVLA to pass not a standard distance eyesight test that all drivers must pass, and also an in-depth assessment which focuses on their visual field and peripheral vision. This in-depth tets is conducted with specialised equipment.

Mr Hodibert says, in documents lodged with London's High Court, that after undertaking two such tests at Specsavers in summer 2022, he was told that he had failed the visual field examination.

The supposed failure meant that the DVLA revoked his HGV licence, and in turn he could no longer continue with his job as a trucker.

Six months later, however, in January 2023, Mr Hodibert passed a subsequent visual field test administered by a consultant ophthalmologist and so regained his licence. But, by then he says he had already been seriously emotional damaged.

He insists that his earlier failures were caused by mistakes made by Specsavers staff, and that had a huge impact on his home and work life.

Specsavers is set to deny his claims and defend the action.

Michael O'Neill, Mr Hodibert's barrister, said the Specsaver results were “inaccurate” and, following separate tests carried out on January 25 2023, his client was able to appeal the revocation of his licence, which was then reinstated two months later, on March 31 2023.

He went on to accuse Specsavers staff of “carrying out their field of vision tests so as to produce false results” and “submitting an inaccurate report to the DVLA”.

“Because of all this the claimant has suffered personal injury, loss and damage,” Mr O’Neil said, adding that Mr Hodibert has "developed a worsening mixed depression and anxiety disorder as a result of the matters herein complained of”.

"His condition is such that he is unable to work as an HGV driver, or at all, and his personal and domestic life has been substantially disrupted,” the barrister explained, adding: "It is uncertain that he will ever make a sufficient recovery to work again.”

The barrister went on to say that Mr Hodibert says he has been examined by a doctor who has submitted a medical report to the court backing up his claim for “damages exceeding £200,000”.

A spokesperson for Specsavers told The Independent said the action would be defended.

• If you are suffering with your mental health, you can contact The Samaritans on 116 123 for free, confidential support People with hearing problems or other communication difficulties can text 07889 036 280.