Although all of our senses play an important role in our lives and well-being, eyesight is arguably extremely vital. You rely on your optometrist in Chicago, Illinois, to protect your vision throughout your life. However, if your doctor makes a mistake that puts your eyesight at risk, Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys is here to help you explore your legal options.
Medical malpractice can have long-lasting consequences for patients. While financial compensation cannot restore lost vision, our Chicago optometrist malpractice lawyers understand the high costs of receiving the proper care.
Reach out to our law firm today for a free, confidential consultation about your injury at (312) 726-1616. We will carefully review your case, and if we find that your optometrist was negligent, we will fight for fair compensation on your behalf.
How Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help With an Optometrist Malpractice Claim in Chicago, IL
Optometrists undergo extensive education and training to diagnose and treat eye and vision problems. However, when mistakes occur, the results can be devastating.
At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, our Chicago personal injury attorneys are committed to helping patients affected by their doctors’ negligence. With decades of experience, we’ve secured over $100 million in compensation for victims of injuries.
We often handle complex medical malpractice cases, including those related to:
- Misdiagnosis
- Mistakes administering anesthesia
- Failure to diagnose illnesses and conditions
- Mistakes during surgery
When an optometrist makes an error, the impact can be particularly severe, as it may affect one of your most important senses. Additionally, the financial strain of seeking treatment to correct the damage can be overwhelming.
Fighting for fair compensation in optometrist malpractice cases in Chicago, IL, can be difficult. You need a dedicated advocate who can navigate these complex claims and fight for your rights. Get in touch with Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation. Our experienced team is here to support you.
What Are Common Examples of Optometrist Malpractice?
Illinois law holds optometrists to high standards, requiring them to offer the same level of care and expertise that any competent medical professional would in a similar situation. However, despite their training, optometrists can still make mistakes due to negligence. An optometrist may be liable for malpractice under the following circumstances:
- Failure to diagnose: Failure to diagnose is one of the most common claims against optometrists. This may include situations where conditions are misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. Many other malpractice cases arise from this issue.
- Failure to dilate the pupil or warn of side effects: Many malpractice claims stem from the failure to dilate the pupil during an eye exam. When optometrists skip this step, they risk overlooking serious issues, which can result in a misdiagnosis. In some rare instances, patients may also experience slip-and-fall accidents after pupil dilation. If patients aren’t properly warned about potential side effects or given protective eyewear like mydriatic sunglasses, it could lead to additional claims.
- Improper patient termination or referral: Malpractice claims can occur when delayed treatment results in poor outcomes. An optometrist is responsible for a patient’s care until the treatment is completed or the patient is properly referred to another healthcare provider.
- Failure to obtain informed consent: Claims often focus on whether the optometrist obtained informed consent before performing tests, procedures, or treatments. As with all healthcare professionals, optometrists are required to document informed consent to protect themselves from liability.
- Poor recordkeeping: Many claims arise from poor documentation. Inadequate recordkeeping can result in missed diagnoses, failed referrals, incomplete follow-ups, and a lack of informed consent, all of which can weaken a defense in malpractice cases. Thankfully, these issues can be prevented with proper recordkeeping practices.
Your vision is essential to your daily life, and errors in eye care can lead to lasting physical and emotional pain for you and your loved ones.
Adjusting to vision loss or blindness can take years. Reach out to our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers, and we will begin investigating your injuries right away, identifying who is responsible, and seeking justice on your behalf.
What Forms of Compensation Can I Get in a Chicago Optometrist Malpractice Claim?
Vision damage caused by optometrist malpractice can take a significant physical and emotional toll. Under Illinois law, you have the right to seek compensation for all types of injuries.
First, you may be entitled to economic damages. These cover the tangible financial losses you’ve experienced due to your optometrist’s negligence, including medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning potential, and any other costs related to the malpractice.
Additionally, you can pursue non-economic damages to address intangible losses. This includes compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other psychological effects you’ve endured.
Properly assessing your damages to ensure full compensation requires skilled Chicago personal injury lawyers, like those at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys. Contact us today to discover how we can assist you during this difficult time.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Chicago Optometrist Malpractice Attorney Today
Your Chicago, Illinois, optometrist’s negligence can result in injuries that require extensive medical treatment and leave you unable to work. To make sure you receive the full compensation you deserve, you need a dedicated and aggressive advocate by your side.
While you concentrate on recovering, let Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys manage the pursuit of the financial recovery you need. We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine what happened and hold those responsible accountable.
Contact our Chicago optometrist malpractice lawyers today for a free consultation. We will answer your questions clearly and offer compassionate support throughout the entire process. Give us a call to get started today.