Our last blog told you about a woman suing her ophthalmologist after he operated on the wrong side of her face, causing permanent physical damage. How often due ophthalmologists make medical errors? A study found that ophthalmologists will face at least one lawsuit in their careers. Using lawsuit data from the NHS Litigation Authority (NHLSA), the study looked at medical malpractice lawsuits against ophthalmologists in the United States and United Kingdom.
According to the study, the average amount of awarded damages in the United Kingdom is $72,144. The average amount of awarded damages in the United States is $174,000. The procedure that brought the highest amount of medical malpractice claims was cataract surgery.
An American doctor with the Casey Eye Institute in Oregon commented that the study did not examine wrong-eye surgery, which is a significant issue in America, noted the doctor. The worst cases are when a patient suffers permanent blindness because the doctor operated on the wrong eye. It is an even worse case when the patient is a child because the child has to go through the rest of his or her life without sight.
No patient, especially a child, should have to suffer permanent damage from medical mistakes. Our website has more information on medical malpractice and how we help our clients recover from medical errors. You can also call us at 504-522-7885 for a free case review of yoru situation.
Harrell & Nowak, L.L.C. – New Orleans injury lawyers