Medical Negligence | Loss of Sight
Loss of sight is a life-changing event and can be all the more stressful if it is a result of a medical error. Unfortunately, this can occur in cases of delay in diagnosis, delays in treatments, and surgical errors. Loss of sight can result in an individual being unable to work, unable to drive, and requiring caregivers. It can put the patient and their family under huge financial strain.
Sight loss can occur in a number of different ways:
- Negligent laser eye surgery
- A delay in diagnosing diabetes
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Failure to diagnose glaucoma
- Failure to detect and treat a tumor
- Surgery induced infection
- Negligent cataract surgery
What are the time limits for bringing an eyesight loss claim?
If you believe you may have a medical negligence eyesight loss claim, it is important that you contact a solicitor who specializes in this area of law as soon as possible as there are some very strict time limits.
The time limit for bringing the claim is set by the Statute of Limitations Act which provides that you must bring the claim within a period of two years from the date of the injury inflicted or alternatively two years from your date of knowledge that the injury was inflicted.
Once proceedings are issued the eyesight loss negligence case can take approximately, 2-3 years to come before the courts for hearing, depending on the complexity of the case, the number of experts that are required together with the defense delivered by the healthcare provider.
Early legal assistance can be vital as the time limits for bringing an action are very strict, therefore, if you believe that you or a loved one have suffered as a result of substandard medical care then you may be able to make a claim for compensation and we are happy to have an initial consultation with you where we will give you an initial assessment and advise you of your options.
With a wealth of experience in the area of medical negligence, we at McElhinney & Associates Solicitors are well-equipped in dealing with eyesight loss negligence medical cases.
What level of compensation will I receive for an eyesight loss claim?
The level of compensation payable to you or your loved one is directly related to the level of injury and trauma that you or your loved one suffered together with the impact that the negligent treatment has had on your quality of life. Compensation is usually broken down into two parts:
- General damages. This is compensation for the pain and suffering that you have endured to date together with the likely pain and suffering that you will endure in the future.
- Special damages. These are items of expenditure and financial loss that you have incurred up to the date of the court award and possible likely future financial losses, for example, the cost of any private treatment, medication, aids and appliances, loss of earnings to date, loss of earnings into the future, the cost of any ongoing care and treatment required.
Our experience in eyesight loss claims
Our experienced team at McElhinney & Associates has worked on various types of eyesight loss claims. We act in all cases ranging from the most simple to the most complex and we have developed expertise in this area so we know how to prepare and progress your claim to achieve the optimum level of compensation for you
*In contentious business a Solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.
**This information is for guidance purposes only. It does not constitute legal or professional advice. Professional or legal advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from any action as a result of the contents of this publication. No liability is accepted by McElhinney & Associates for any action taken in reliance on the information contained herein. Any and all information is subject to change.
