Glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve is damaged. It is a progressive disease, which means timely diagnosis and treatment is imperative to correcting or improving the condition. If you suffered serious vision problems as a result of a medical provider’s carelessness, you may have a right to compensation. Our reputable medical malpractice advocates in Syracuse can examine your incident and decide whether a medical professional’s incompetence or error was a factor in your injury.
A New York woman who went blind after physicians misdiagnosed her glaucoma has won a multi-million dollar award against the hospital. The woman was seven months pregnant and just 20 years old when she went to the medical center complaining of blurred vision and pressure around her eyes during prenatal check ups. According to the lawsuit, doctors never diagnosed her with glaucoma even though she visited the hospital six times indicating the same symptoms every time. Two months later, the woman could not even see her newborn son when the doctor placed him on her chest. Several weeks later, she was officially diagnosed with glaucoma. By the time she had surgery for the condition one month later, it was too late and she was left 90 percent blind. After just a few hours of deliberation, the jury awarded her $15 million in damages.
New York Medical Malpractice Claims
Medical malpractice can be the cause of glaucoma related vision loss if the doctor failed to recognize the signs and symptoms of a patient’s glaucoma, or if the doctor failed to treat the condition properly. Failing to diagnose or misdiagnosing glaucoma can be the fault of primary care doctors, internists, optometrists or an ophthalmologist. Doctors are required to provide patients with a certain standard of care. The standard of care is typically the level of care and caution that a medical professional in the same specialty would have used under the same or similar circumstances. In order to obtain compensation for a diagnostic error related to glaucoma, you will need to prove that the mistake made by doctor was the direct and proximate of the injury.
Damages in Medical Malpractice Claims
Individuals who are seriously injured due to the negligent actions of a doctor may be entitled to a wide range of damages for their harm. Damages may include medical expenses, lost income and benefits, rehabilitation costs as well as pain and suffering. When permanent injuries have occurred, the damages may include future medical costs and compensation for loss of enjoyment of life.
Skilled Syracuse Medical Malpractice Attorneys
If you or someone close to you has been injured due to a medical professionals negligence related to glaucoma or another eye condition, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our experienced Syracuse failure-to-diagnose attorneys will analyze the facts of your case and help protect your rights through the legal journey. To speak to us in more detail about your legal matter, please feel free to call us at 833-200-2000 or contact us online.
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