If you have suffered vision loss in Florida and believe that your doctor’s negligence is to blame, you are likely wondering if you can take legal action. The answer is yes, you can sue for loss of vision in Florida if your doctor was at fault due to medical malpractice.
As we examine the circumstances under which you can hold your doctor accountable, it is important to consult with a Florida medical malpractice lawyer at Anidjar & Levine to determine the best course of action for your specific case.
Types of Doctor Negligence That Can Lead to Lawsuits in Florida
When you’re seeking compensation for doctor negligence, you’ll need to identify the specific type of negligence that led to your vision loss. Common causes include:
Delayed Diagnosis Errors
Delayed diagnosis errors occur when healthcare professionals fail to identify and treat a medical condition in a timely manner, leading to worsened health outcomes and potentially devastating consequences for patients. You may be wondering if you can sue for vision impairment resulting from a delayed diagnosis.
The answer is yes. If your doctor failed to diagnose your condition promptly, leading to permanent vision loss, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim. Delayed diagnosis can lead to irreversible damage, making it important to hold healthcare providers accountable for their negligence.
Surgical Mistakes Happen
Surgical mistakes can have devastating and long-lasting effects on your vision. When a surgeon makes an error, it can lead to permanent vision impairment or even blindness. These surgical errors can occur during eye operations, such as cataract surgery, LASIK, or glaucoma treatment.
In some cases, the mistake may occur due to inadequate pre-operative planning, incorrect surgical technique, or failure to monitor vital signs during surgery. As a patient, you trust your doctor to prioritize your safety and well-being. Unfortunately, negligence can compromise patient safety, leading to severe and irreversible consequences.
Misdiagnosis Consequences
Misdiagnosis can have a profound impact on your treatment and ultimately, your vision. When a doctor fails to accurately diagnose your condition, it can lead to delayed or incorrect treatment, which can cause further vision impairment.
The misdiagnosis impact can be devastating, resulting in permanent vision loss or even blindness. You may experience blurred vision, double vision, or loss of peripheral vision, making everyday tasks challenging.
If you suspect that your doctor’s misdiagnosis led to your vision impairment, you may be entitled to compensation. Our team can help sue for loss of vision in Florida if your doctor was at fault.
Proving Negligence When Suing For Loss of Vision in Florida When Your Doctor Was at Fault
When you bring a medical malpractice claim, you’ll need to establish the negligence standards applicable to your case. This involves identifying the relevant standard of care and demonstrating how your healthcare provider failed to meet it.
Establishing Negligence Standards
To prevail in a medical malpractice claim, you must demonstrate that a healthcare provider’s actions or omissions deviated from the accepted standards of medical care, thereby causing your injuries.
This means establishing that the healthcare provider’s conduct fell below the standards expected in the medical community. You must show that a reasonably prudent healthcare provider, under similar circumstances, would not have committed the same error.
Legal precedents and expert testimony will help build your case, providing evidence that the provider’s actions or omissions resulted in your loss of vision. By demonstrating a clear breach of duty, you can strengthen your claim and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Determining Breach of Duty
In establishing negligence standards, you’ve laid the groundwork for determining breach of duty. This involves a breach definition, where you demonstrate how the healthcare provider’s conduct fell below the established duty of care.
A duty analysis is important in this step, as you must show that the doctor-patient relationship created a legal obligation to exercise reasonable care. You’ll need to provide evidence that the healthcare provider’s breach of duty caused your loss of vision.
This might involve expert testimony, medical records, and other relevant documents. By demonstrating a clear breach of duty, you’ll strengthen your medical malpractice claim and increase your chances of securing compensation for your losses.
Damages You May Be Entitled to Receive in a Florida Medical Malpractice Claim
A loss of vision can considerably impact your daily life, causing emotional distress and affecting your ability to work and engage in hobbies. As a result, you may be entitled to receive various forms of compensation to help you cope with the emotional impact and financial burdens.
Your compensation options may include damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Additionally, you may be entitled to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and any other economic losses related to your vision loss.
It’s important to consult with an experienced attorney who can help you understand the full extent of the damages you may be entitled to receive. We can guide you through the legal process and help you sue for loss of vision in Florida if your doctor was at fault.
Statute of Limitations for Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim
If you’re considering filing a medical malpractice claim in Florida, it’s important you understand the statute of limitations that governs these types of cases. Missing the filing deadline can have serious legal repercussions, making it important to act promptly. Here’s what to know:
- Florida’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is typically two years from the date of the incident or the date you discovered the injury.
- The statute of limitations can be extended in certain circumstances, such as if the doctor fraudulently concealed the malpractice or if you were a minor at the time of the incident.
It’s important to keep in mind that the statute of limitations is strictly enforced, and failing to file within the allotted timeframe will likely result in your claim being barred.
Learn More About Suing for Loss of Vision in Florida if Your Doctor Was at Fault
You’ve suffered a devastating loss, and now it’s important to understand your legal options. Be aware that the statute of limitations applies, and it’s important to work with an experienced attorney, such as Anidjar & Levine, to gather necessary evidence to prove fault and secure the damages you need.
Contact us today for a free consultation.