Medical Malpractice
Informed consent Unwarranted surgery $1,000,000
Injuries alleged: Blindness
Court: Los Angeles Superior Court
Amount of settlement: $1,000,000
Case Summary:
The plaintiff, at age 84, was amblyopic in her right eye and diabetic. Despite the fact that her vision in the left eye was good enough to enable her to read, watch television, function in her activities and care for herself, she was told by the defendant that she needed a cataract extraction in her one good (left) eye.
As a result of operative and
post-operative complications, the plaintiff became blind in her
left eye. The malpractice alleged in this case and the cases
of six other plaintiffs who
suffered varying degrees of diminished visual acuity or blindness
was the recommendation and the performing of unnecessary and
unwarranted surgery, and failure to obtain the patients' informed
consent. During trial, the plaintiff offered evidence that the
defendant had altered his medical records. The case settled shortly
thereafter.
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