Taking care of your eye health should be a priority. Your eyesight is precious, and you need to protect it. However, what happens when an optometrist error causes harm or an eye injury?
Our Miami optometrist malpractice lawyer at Lavent Law Personal Injury Lawyer works diligently to recover maximum compensation for each client. We will fight to get you the money you deserve for your personal injury case.
Contact our law firm in Miami, FL, now to schedule your free consultation with a Miami personal injury lawyer.
How Our Miami Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help if You’ve Been Injured Because of Optometrist Malpractice
At Lavent Law Personal Injury Lawyer, we are dedicated to fighting for the rights of accident and injury victims.
Our Miami personal injury attorney has won numerous awards for exceptional legal services and representation, including the “10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction” from the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys.
Each day, we strive to put our experience, resources, skills, and knowledge to work for our clients. We understand that you have suffered a traumatic injury.
Our goal is to provide the support and guidance you need as you seek compensation for the damages caused by a negligent physician.
When you hire our legal team, you can expect us to:
- Investigate what happened to you and gather evidence proving fault
- Work with you to document your damages
- Identify all insurance coverage and file insurance claims
- Handle all communication with insurance companies and other parties regarding your claim
- Negotiate aggressively for the maximum compensation available for your claim
- File a personal injury lawsuit, when necessary, to protect your best interests
Our Miami medical malpractice attorney handles all cases for our law firm personally. You have access to your attorney when you have questions or concerns about your case.
Call our office today to schedule your free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Miami, Florida.
How Common Are Optometrist Malpractice Claims?
Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. While ophthalmology malpractice may not lead to thousands of deaths each year, it can lead to a devastating condition – blindness.
The most common type of medical malpractice is misdiagnosis. A failure to diagnose by an optometrist can lead to loss of vision and other eye injuries. The three most common medical malpractice claims are failure to diagnose, surgical errors, and medication errors.
Overview of Optometrist Malpractice
Some people refer to the optometrist as an eye doctor because the optometrist is a licensed physician who treats conditions related to eye health. Optometrists focus on improving vision and tend to work with patients to correct vision problems through the use of contact lenses and eyeglasses.
However, optometrists are the front-line doctors for eye health. They typically are the first physician to detect a problem and refer patients to an ophthalmologist for specialized treatment.
What Are Common Causes of Optometrist Malpractice?
As with other medical malpractice cases, there are many causes of ophthalmology malpractice.
Examples of medical negligence that can lead to eye injuries and other harm include:
- Failure to diagnose or delaying a diagnosis
- Medication errors, including failing to prescribe medication or prescribing the incorrect medication
- Errors or mistakes during cataract surgery
- Failing to refer patients for specialized care when the condition is outside of the doctor’s training or experience
- Surgical errors, including reusing single-use instruments the create a risk of infection and operating on the wrong eye
- Failing to monitor patients adequately after eye surgery
- Failure to obtain informed consent before specific procedures
- Prescribing the incorrect contact lenses or eyeglasses
Poor outcomes may or may not be the cause of medical malpractice. However, when the standards of care are not met, patients may become the victims of medical malpractice.
Common Types of Injuries Caused by Optometrist Malpractice
Injuries caused by optometrist malpractice range from a reduction in vision to complete blindness. Some patients may sustain scarring or disfigurement because of eye surgery or other procedures.
After surgery, infections could result in serious health conditions that could develop into life-threatening situations if not treated correctly.
Who is Liable for Optometrist Malpractice?
If the optometrist causes harm or injury to a patient, the optometrist can be held financially liable for the patient’s damages.
However, to win a medical malpractice claim against an optometrist, you must prove four legal elements of a medical negligence claim:
- The optometrist owed you a duty of care
- The optometrist breached the duty of care
- The breach was the cause of your injury
- You incurred damages because of the breach and injury
A Miami medical malpractice lawyer investigates a claim to determine if all legal elements of a malpractice claim are present. Not all bad outcomes are malpractice. However, it is wise to discuss your case with an injury lawyer in South Florida.
You could be entitled to substantial compensation for your:
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent impairment or disability from loss of vision
- Medical bills and expenses for treatment and care
- Loss of income and benefits
- Cost of personal care or assistance with household chores
- Psychological trauma and emotional distress
Medical malpractice lawsuits hold optometrists accountable when their negligence harms a patient.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Miami, FL Medical Malpractice Law Firm
Don’t delay in contacting our office to discuss your claim. Your time to file a medical malpractice claim is limited by Florida’s Statute of Limitations.
Call Lavent Law Personal Injury Lawyer today to schedule your free consultation with a Miami optometrist malpractice lawyer.