Eye care is something that must be taken very seriously. When we have a vision problem we trust that our doctor will properly diagnose and treat our condition. Sometimes, however, that does not happen. In a recent case a man filed a lawsuit citing medical negligence after the misdiagnosis of his eye condition led to his personal injury. The lawsuit was filed in Cook County against the doctor as well as Retinal-Vitreal Consultants, LTD and Mercy Hospital and Medical Center seeking damages in excess of $50,000.
Serious Misdiagnosis
The misdiagnosis and mistreatment of a medical condition can cause serious injuries to the patient and in some cases can even lead to death. In this case, the man was originally diagnosed with a retinal break. This required surgery to repair the horseshoe tear. While the surgery was performed the doctor failed to identify another condition called proliferative vitreoretinaopathy. According to the lawsuit, the failure to identify this condition deviated from the acceptable standard of care, which is considered medical negligence or malpractice.
Pneumatic Retinnopexy
Pneumatic retinopexy (PR) is surgery for a detached or torn retina. The condition can be corrected during this two-step procedure which includes laser surgery. The surgical team must take precautions to ensure that the proper procedures are followed to minimize the possibility of problems with the healing process. In this case, the man suffered from complications that could have been avoided had the original surgery been completed according to proper medical procedures. Additional surgery was necessary to resolve damage that happened because of the improper diagnosis and treatment.
Medical Malpractice
Many people think that medical malpractice is only a concern with operations to major body organs such as the heart or colon. However, malpractice can happen anytime a doctor of any kind makes a mistake. This includes problems with the eyes, teeth, and feet, as well as other parts of the body. Mistakes made during eye surgery can be quite serious because an error could cause permanent eye damage or blindness. Medical negligence is equivalent to malpractice. Medical personnel are held to a high level of care because of their extensive training, education, and experience.
Malpractice Lawsuit
When a doctor fails to make the correct diagnosis or makes a medical mistake, the result may be medical malpractice. The man in this instance filed a medical malpractice lawsuit to recover the damages caused by the mistake. Some of the damages likely include the costs of medical treatments and further surgeries necessary to resolve problems caused by the negligent actions. Other damages may be compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages due to medical treatments needed, and legal fees. If permanent harm resulted from the mistake the patient could seek additional damages for loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit in this case is unclear as to whether permanent injuries occurred.
If you were seriously injured because of a medical mistake you could be owed money. Contact the experienced legal team at Levin & Perconti for a consultation to review your case.
