Jacksonville Eye Doctor Faces Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
A Jacksonville eye doctor faces a medical malpractice lawsuit after he allegedly operated on the wrong eye of one of his patients. The lawsuit alleges in 2014 the doctor at the Orange Park Surgery center began the surgical procedure on the patient’s right eye when it was actually the left eye that needed treatment.
Among the procedures to be performed were a tube shunt, scleral reinforcement grafting and severing of conjunctival scar adhesions. Upon realizing he was performing surgery on the wrong eye, the doctor halted the procedure.
According to reports, the doctor settled allegations with the Florida Department of Health in early February. The doctor paid a fine of $3,400 but did not have to admit any wrongdoing or liability.
The same doctor also has another pending lawsuit filed in 2010, accusing the doctor of performing “unwarranted and unauthorized” procedures. The 2010 lawsuit stems from two procedures performed in 2007 and 2008.
Jacksonville medical malpractice lawsuits
Although The Pendas Law Firm is not representing any of the parties involved in this particular lawsuit, our law firm regularly advocates for the legal rights of victims of medical malpractice in their fight for justice. Physicians owe patients a duty to follow standards of care other physicians in similar situations would reasonably follow and our lawyers hold them to this.
Although the Florida Department of Health usually waits until investigations are performed before assigning blame or any disciplinary actions, victims of medical malpractice may hold negligent physicians liable themselves by filing medical malpractice lawsuits. We strongly encourage patients who believe they were victims of medical malpractice to contact our office for a consultation about their case.
Damages in medical malpractice lawsuits
Victims of medical malpractice may be entitled to compensation for the damages they may have suffered as a result of their injury. This includes both the economic losses incurred, as well as the physical and emotional turmoil of enduring corrective surgeries. Depending on the circumstances of the case, patients may recover damages for their:
- Lost wages during recovery time;
- Medical expenses to repair the damage;
- Physical pain and suffering; and
- Emotional anguish.
Negligent physicians, hospitals, nurses, and their insurance companies rarely admit liability in medical malpractice cases, even in events of obvious and gross negligence. Furthermore, even when wrongdoers offer settlements or compensation, it is often not enough to truly make victims whole again.
Filing medical malpractice lawsuits may be important not just for the compensatory damages, but to hold careless physicians and hospitals accountable and send a message that negligent behavior will not be tolerated.
Jacksonville medical malpractice lawyers
If you or a loved one was the victim of medical malpractice by a doctor, nurse, or hospital, contact The Pendas Law Firm for a consultation about your case. Our law firm represents clients in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, Fort Myers, Tampa, and Jacksonville. Strict time deadlines apply when filing medical malpractice lawsuits so contact our office at your earliest convenience and preserve your legal rights.