Ophthalmologists are doctors who treat eye conditions and injuries with surgery and other advanced techniques. When an ophthalmologist provides substandard care, you could suffer the consequences forever.
Speak with a Kissimmee ophthalmic malpractice lawyer if you believe you or your loved one suffered harm because of an ophthalmologist’s negligence. Our medical malpractice attorneys have an outstanding reputation for success in these complex cases. We are honored that many local legal and medical professionals refer clients who need representation in malpractice cases to our firm.
Common Examples of Ophthalmologist Negligence
Eye diseases and injuries can lead to pain, partial or total vision loss, eye loss, and altered appearance. Any of these can affect your ability to work or attend school and diminish your quality of life.
An ophthalmologist’s mistake or oversight can lead to these devastating consequences. Some common examples of ophthalmic negligence include:
- Missing the signs of a serious condition
- Making an erroneous diagnosis
- Prescribing the wrong medication or an incorrect dose
- Recommending an unnecessary surgical procedure
- Errors during surgery
- Failing to follow-up on test results
- Neglecting to provide clear postoperative instructions
- Not fully disclosing the risks of a drug or procedure
When an ophthalmologist makes one of these mistakes or another error that causes harm, a Kissimmee attorney could consider bringing a medical malpractice lawsuit.
A medical malpractice lawsuit is a way to hold a medical professional accountable when their failure to provide acceptable care causes harm. You can receive financial compensation for the losses you suffered due to the inadequate care. However, before you can even file the lawsuit, you must have evidence that your doctor’s conduct did not meet an appropriate standard of care.
Determining the Appropriate Standard of Care
The law at Florida Statutes § 766.102 defines the standard of care for healthcare providers. It says that the standard is the application of the same knowledge and skill that a reasonably prudent, similarly trained provider with the same experience would offer. This means that a doctor of one specialty must be compared with others of the same specialty, young doctors must be compared to others with limited experience, and so on.
It also means that not every bad outcome merits a malpractice claim. If the doctor behaved reasonably and provided care of a quality similar to what other ophthalmologists in the area provide, the case probably does not meet the legal requirements to bring a malpractice lawsuit.
Before our Kissimmee lawyers can file a medical malpractice lawsuit, they must obtain an expert opinion about whether the ophthalmologist met the applicable standard of care. The expert should be an ophthalmologist. If the doctor you want to sue practices a subspecialty, like pediatric ophthalmology, oculoplastics, or refractive surgery, the expert opinion is most valuable and resistant to challenge if the expert has the same subspecialty.
What Compensation Can You Expect If Your Claim Is Successful?
When you can prove an ophthalmologist did not meet the standard of care, you are entitled to financial damages. Although money cannot undo what happened, it can alleviate financial stress caused by the injury and allow you to live the fullest life possible going forward.
You can get reimbursement for your expenses, including medical care necessary because of the ophthalmologist’s mistake. You can claim lost income and the value of any paid time off you took while recovering. If your condition requires future medical treatment or your earning power is permanently impacted, you can claim damages for those future expenses.
The ophthalmologist and their insurer also must pay you for your pain and suffering. These damages can be substantial if the doctor’s mistake had a big impact on your daily activities and quality of life. The Florida Firm’s ophthalmic malpractice attorneys in Kissimmee can show you how to document your physical pain, emotional distress, and other challenges to prove your pain and suffering damages.
Work With a Kissimmee Attorney If You Were Harmed By Ophthalmic Malpractice
If you suffered significant consequences because your ophthalmologist provided poor care, contact a Kissimmee ophthalmic malpractice lawyer at Colling Gilbert Wright. Our attorneys have obtained many significant verdicts and settlements in medical malpractice cases over the years.
You can work with us at no risk because we take no money up front and do not collect fees or expenses unless we win your case. Reach out today to set up a free initial consultation with a member of our medical malpractice intake team.