Woman Gets Settlement After Malpractice Leads to Vision Loss

Case Type: Eye Injury Malpractice Settlement – Vision Loss

Settlement: Confidential

Facts of the Case

This case involved a 55-year-old woman who was presented to the hospital with signs and symptoms of a retinal detachment. However, instead of obtaining an ophthalmology consultation and/or performing a proper eye examination, the physician misdiagnosed her with a rare stroke and discharged her home for non-emergent follow-up care. As a result, the patient’s retinal detachment went undiagnosed and untreated for ten days. Unfortunately, by the time the detachment was diagnosed and emergency corrective surgery was performed, it was too late to restore vision in the eye and she has been left with little/no vision in the eye.

Types of Injuries and Harm Suffered

• Pain and suffering
• Permanent loss of vision in one eye
• Difficulties with all activities of daily living

Other Types of Damages

• Medical bills
• Need for additional supervision, care and assistance

Legal Issues in the Case

• Whether the patient was presented with symptoms of a retinal detachment
• Whether the patient properly followed the discharge instructions
• Whether earlier diagnosis and treatment would have prevented the loss of vision in the eye

What We Did To Win The Settlement

After a detailed review of the medical records from numerous physicians and hospitals, we put together a detailed timeline of events and chronology of the events contained in the medical records. We then retained leading experts in the fields of emergency medicine and ophthalmology. After a detailed demand letter was sent and a series of lengthy negotiation discussions, the case was able to be settled pre-suit and prior to the commencement of any litigation.