Yes, compensation is available for loss of eyes or vision when the injury stems from medical malpractice in Florida. Losing vision or an eye due to medical treatment is a life-altering event. Vision loss may be partial or total, affecting one or both eyes, and can stem from surgical errors, misdiagnoses, medication mishandling, or failure to treat conditions like glaucoma or infections in a timely manner.
When such an injury occurs because of a healthcare provider’s negligence, it may be grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Victims may recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. A Florida medical malpractice lawyer can help evaluate your case, prove negligence, and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Seeking Damages After Vision Loss In A Florida Malpractice Case
In Florida, compensation for loss of vision or an eye due to medical malpractice is possible, but it requires demonstrating that:
- A healthcare provider owed you a duty of care.
- That provider breached the standard of care
- The breach directly caused your eye or vision loss.
- You suffered damages as a result.
Without clear evidence of negligence, a claim is unlikely to succeed.
Types Of Compensation Available
If malpractice is proven, you may be eligible to recover:
- Medical expenses (past and future, including corrective surgeries and vision aids)
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Every case is unique, and you could have losses not listed above. Your attorney will evaluate your claim to ensure they pursue full and fair compensation on your behalf.
How Do Vision Loss Symptoms And Complications Affect Your Case?
The symptoms and complications that follow a vision-related injury are central to proving losses in a medical malpractice claim. Common effects include blurred or double vision, sensitivity to light, partial or total loss of vision, and, in some cases, chronic pain or headaches. These issues can severely impair a person’s ability to work, drive, read, or perform daily tasks independently.
For many, vision loss brings about significant lifestyle changes, including loss of employment, reliance on assistive devices, or the need for in-home care. Emotional impacts such as anxiety, depression, or social withdrawal are also common and legally relevant.
These functional and psychological impacts play a crucial role in calculating compensation. They help demonstrate the full extent of both economic and non-economic losses, from medical bills and lost wages to pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life. Our firm works to demonstrate the impact of all these losses when we advocate full and fair compensation.
Negligent Vision Loss In Children
Vision loss in children is life-altering, often requiring long-term medical care, educational support, and assistive devices. When this type of injury results from medical negligence, families may have grounds for a malpractice claim.
Birth injuries are a common cause of preventable vision loss in infants. Errors during delivery—such as improper use of forceps, failure to perform a timely C-section, or oxygen deprivation—can cause permanent damage to the eyes or optic nerves.
Medical negligence after birth, including delayed diagnosis or treatment of infections or congenital eye conditions, can also lead to irreversible vision loss.
Childhood vision loss affects far more than eyesight. It can interfere with cognitive development, schooling, independence, and emotional well-being. Families may face significant financial burdens due to medical expenses, therapies, and specialized educational needs.
What Medical Mistakes Can Lead To Loss Of Vision And Who’s At Fault?
In medical malpractice cases involving vision loss or eye injury, liability is based on whether the provider failed to meet the “standard of care”—the level of care and skill that a reasonably competent medical professional would have provided under similar circumstances. Our firm works to establish how that standard was breached and how it directly caused your injury.
Common Forms of Medical Negligence That May Cause Vision Loss
These include:
- Delayed Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis: Failing to detect conditions like glaucoma, retinal detachment, optic neuritis, or infections early.
- Surgical Errors: Mistakes during eye surgery or unrelated procedures near the eyes or brain.
- Anesthesia Complications: Improper positioning or monitoring causing pressure-related vision loss
- Postoperative Negligence: Inadequate follow-up care or failure to treat complications like infection or hemorrhage
- Medication Errors and Toxic Reactions: Incorrect medications or dosages can sometimes cause optic nerve damage or toxic effects that result in the deterioration or loss of the eye.
How Law Firms Help Patients
Our team conducts a detailed investigation by collecting:
- Medical records
- Provider notes and hospital documentation
- Test and imaging results
- Expert opinions from ophthalmologists and other specialists
We build a case by uncovering exactly how the standard of care was violated and connecting that breach to your injury. This thorough approach is crucial to establishing negligence and securing full compensation.
Why Expert Testimony Is Essential In Florida Medical Malpractice Cases
In Florida, expert testimony is legally required in most medical malpractice cases. These cases hinge on complex medical questions that only qualified professionals can credibly address.
Expert testimony involves a licensed medical professional, typically someone in the same or similar specialty as the defendant. This professional reviews the facts of your case and offers a professional opinion on whether the standard of care was violated, and whether that violation caused your injury (in this case, the loss of eye or vision).
This expert essentially explains to the court what a competent physician should have done under similar circumstances and how the provider’s actions (or omissions) fell short.
How Long Do You Have To File A Malpractice Claim In Florida?
In Florida, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases is generally two years from the date of the injury. Some exceptions could pause or extend the deadline, but it can be difficult to know how long you have to file without a legal professional’s guidance.
Because these time limits are strict and missing them can bar your claim entirely, it’s helpful to speak with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. Our firm helps clients evaluate their timelines and quickly begin the pre-suit investigation process to preserve their rights.
Talk To A Florida Medical Malpractice Attorney About Your Vision Loss
If you or a loved one has suffered vision loss due to suspected medical negligence, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. These cases are complex, but with the right legal support, you may be able to recover meaningful compensation to help rebuild your life.
Contact Anidjar & Levine for a free consultation. Check out our client reviews to learn how we’ve helped injury victims in the past. Our Florida medical malpractice lawyers will review your case, explain your rights, and assist you in taking the next steps toward justice and financial recovery.
We Can Help.
