Eye Malpractice Lawyers in New Jersey
Eye surgery requires steady hands and great expertise. We protect the rights of those in New Jersey who have lost part or all of their vision due to malpractice of eye surgeons. The three most common types of surgery are to remove cataracts, to repair a detached retina, failure to diagnose and/or treat glaucoma, and LASIK.
WHAT IS A CATARACT?
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye which leads to a decrease in vision. It is a common condition associated with aging, but can also occur due to injury, certain medications, or medical conditions. Cataracts typically develop slowly over time and can eventually interfere with daily activities such as reading or driving. Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the cloudy lens and replacement with an artificial lens.
Cataract Eye Surgery Malpractice in New Jersey
During cataract surgery, a tiny slit is made on the side of the eye. Ultrasound is used to break apart the cloudy lens. The pieces of the lens are vacuumed out of the eye and a new lens is inserted in its place. Although cataract surgery has been performed for decades, it can go wrong and have dreadful complications for patients, such as:
- Chronic inflammation of the eye.
- Fluctuations in eye pressure.
- Swelling of the retina.
- Retinal detachment.
Any of these complications during or after eye surgery can cause a significant loss of vision. Careful follow-up care after cataract surgery is necessary to monitor the replacement lens to ensure it does not move and to make sure it is working correctly. If the lens slides around in the fragile bag that holds it, it may have to be repositioned or replaced entirely. If you have a poor result after cataract surgery, due to eye surgery malpractice, contact our New Jersey cataract surgery malpractice attorneys to discuss whether it is the result of medical surgery malpractice.
WHAT IS RETINAL DETACHMENT & HOW DOES IT OCCUR?
Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition where the retina, the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that detects light and sends visual information to the brain, pulls away from its normal position. This detachment can occur due to various reasons such as injury, aging, or underlying eye conditions. Symptoms of retinal detachment include sudden onset of floaters (spots or specks that float in the field of vision), flashes of light, and a curtain-like shadow over the visual field. If left untreated, retinal detachment can lead to permanent vision loss. Prompt medical attention is crucial to prevent further damage and restore vision. Treatment typically involves surgical procedures to reattach the retina and prevent further detachment.
Retinal Detachment Eye Surgery Malpractice in New Jersey
As the name implies, retinal detachment occurs when the retina becomes detached from the eye due to a tear. Retinal detachment can be caused in several ways:
- Injury.
- Contraction or shrinkage of the vitreous jelly.
- Inflammation of the eye.
- Advanced diabetes.
It is critical to diagnose and treat retinal detachment quickly. Delayed diagnosis or delayed treatment allows the tear to get bigger, which reduces the likelihood of successful eye surgery to reattach the retina. The sole treatment for a detached retina is eye surgery, hopefully, before any loss of vision occurs. If you have a poor result after retinal detachment surgery, or due to eye surgery malpractice, contact our New Jersey retinal detachment & eye surgery malpractice attorneys to discuss whether it is a result of surgery malpractice.
Glaucoma Mis-Diagnosis & Malpractice in New Jersey
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, potentially leading to vision loss and blindness. Due to its lack of noticeable symptoms in the early stages, it is important for patients to do regular eye exams and for the optometrist to properly diagnose it as soon as possible. However, with its sometime lack of symptoms it is unfortunately common that optometrists or ophthalmologists fail to diagnose it or treat it properly, which is considered malpractice. Learn more about our involvement with glaucoma malpractice cases by contacting our experienced eye surgery attorneys today.
New Jersey Eye Surgery Malpractice Cases
At Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman in New Jersey, we have won many lawsuits involving eye surgery malpractice. We have also been named to the Best New Jersey Medical Malpractice Attorneys list by the Best Lawyers in America, and we have a proven track record of winning multi-million dollar settlements for our clients who have suffered malpractice which has caused vision problems or blindness, such as a $3.9 million settlement for a woman whose doctor severed the medial rectus muscle of her eye, causing double vision and chronic pain. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Eye Surgery Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey
If you or a loved one has been the victim of eye surgery malpractice during cataract surgery, retinal detachment surgery, glaucoma misdiagnosis, or LASIK in New Jersey, contact Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman. One of our talented eye malpractice lawyers will respond as soon as possible to discuss your malpractice case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eye Surgery Malpractice
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What is the most frequent case of malpractice claims in optometry?
Failure to Diagnose – The American Optometric Association reports that the most common eye surgery malpractice claim is failing to diagnose a disease properly or missing a diagnosis completely.
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What is the most common eye surgical error?
Retinal detachment can occur when a doctor fails to diagnose a disease, or improperly performs cataract surgery, which makes it a common side effect. Leaving this un-treated for too long can cause significant vision loss, which then can be considered retinal detachment malpractice and taken to court.
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Can you sue if you lose vision from the failure to timely diagnose or treat glaucoma?
Glaucoma diagnosis or treatment errors will be brought as a medical malpractice lawsuit against the surgeon or healthcare provider.
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Can you sue if your LASIK surgery goes wrong?
Yes, most legal claims surrounding LASIK errors will be brought as a medical malpractice lawsuit against the surgeon or healthcare provider.
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Can you sue for a bad cataract surgery?
Yes, if your vision worsened significantly after cataract surgery it would be worth reviewing your case with an experienced malpractice attorney that specializes in eye surgery.