LASIK eye surgery has emerged as a popular procedure for correcting astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness.
Surgical errors are prevalent forms of medical malpractice. Patients trust medical professionals to perform surgical procedures to the book and safely improve their health.
It is crucial that surgery is conducted delicately. Any missteps made by the doctor leave the patient incredibly vulnerable to harmful health defects. Some examples of surgical errors include significant damage to vital organs during surgery, incorrect actions, and procedures, or insufficient post-surgery care.
What is LASIK Surgery?
During LASIK, ophthalmologists use a special laser to cut a thin flap into the cornea of the eye. The procedure is innovative yet risky, and several patients are speaking out about the harmful side effects they have experienced. These symptoms are most likely a result of medical malpractice, specifically surgical errors.
Medical Malpractice LASIK Symptoms
Unfortunately, although LASIK surgery is a common procedure, it is not unusual for healthcare providers to make mistakes that can ultimately cost victims emotionally, financially, psychologically, and physically. However, patients may not know whether they are experiencing symptoms of medical malpractice after LASIK surgery or the side effects of the surgery.
Here are some of the most common LASIK symptoms that may indicate your surgeon, ophthalmologist, or other healthcare provider may have made a medical error or mistake during your procedure:
Blurred or Double Vision
Over-correcting the patient’s prescription will cause blurred vision. Similarly, many LASIK patients have noted seeing double and feeling disoriented.
If these symptoms persist, immediate medical attention is encouraged to find a solution. Ophthalmologists rectify the issue with additional surgery, aiming to accurately correct the patient’s vision.
Burning Eyes
Slight discomfort or burning after LASIK surgery is standard. However, if your eyes continue to burn, consult a doctor immediately. The eye doctor could be at-fault for your injuries due to incorrect procedures or potential errors.
Corneal Scarring and Abrasions
The Cornea has three layers: the epithelium, the stroma, and the endothelium. When the protective layer of the cornea is scratched, it can be incredibly painful and disorienting. Often, abrasions or scarring on the cornea are caused by harmful contact with the eye or improper surgical protection.
Crucial Steps Prior to Surgery
Before your LASIK procedure, conduct thorough research on your doctor to ensure customer satisfaction. Doctors with a history of success in the industry will have numerous customer testimonials available to you upon request. Familiarizing yourself with your doctor’s history and experience will help confirm that this is a trusted professional with no found history of malpractice.
Proactively researching the LASIK procedure and potential systems will keep you prepared for all outcomes.
What to Do if You Are a Victim of Medical Negligence
If you recently had LASIK surgery and expect your healthcare provider to make a mistake or error that caused further injury, illness, or the death of a loved one, it is important to get a knowledgeable and experienced medical malpractice attorney on your side.
Make sure you obtain copies of all your medical records before raising complaints. You do not want to risk pieces of your medical record being deleted or going missing when your healthcare providers learn you are taking action against them. Once you have a medical malpractice attorney working for you, you can focus on healing while we begin building a compelling case.
Our medical malpractice attorneys will need to thoroughly investigate the cause of your symptoms, injury, or illness to determine which type of medical mistake your ophthalmologist or other healthcare provider may have made. Once we know the cause, we will have better insight into who should be held accountable and whether we should move forward with a medical malpractice insurance claim or lawsuit.
Who Could Be Held Accountable for Your Damages
Nearly anyone responsible for your medical treatment and care could be partially at fault for the injuries and damages you sustained after having LASIK surgery. Some of the most common healthcare providers who are sued for LASIK surgery illnesses and injuries, including blindness, include:
- Ophthalmologists
- Primary care physicians
- Nurses
- Surgeons
- Nursing assistants
- Anesthesiologists
- Residents
- Hospitals
- Pharmacists
- Pharmacies
Only a thorough investigation by your medical malpractice attorney will reveal those who may be named in your lawsuit or insurance claims.
The Value of Your LASIK Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
When LASIK surgery has turned your life upside down, you have the right to be reimbursed for every loss. These damages can include not only economic or financial losses but non-economic damages as well. Non-economic damages describe how your life has been affected by the trauma of your botched LASIK surgery.
Some examples of damages that may be recovered include:
- Physical pain from your injuries
- Permanent disability, including blindness
- Disfigurement or skin scarring
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Lost wages and future potential earnings
- Healthcare expenses and future medical bills related to your injuries
- Increases to your health insurance premiums
It is also possible you could be awarded punitive damages. However, punitive damages are not a loss. You have the right to recover the way you do compensatory damages. Instead, punitive damages are awarded by the Maryland civil court system when a defendant’s actions are especially malicious, egregious, or grossly negligent.
You can learn more about how much you could be awarded for your LASIK surgery injuries and losses when you contact a Maryland medical malpractice attorney at The Snyder Law Group, LLC, for a comprehensive review of your damages.
Have You or a Loved One Suffered Injuries as a Result of Medical Malpractice? Contact The Snyder Law Group Today.
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior.
You can rest easier knowing talented and experienced lawyers are ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts settlements*. Please visit our website,www.410thefirm.com, for more information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, and LinkedIn.