LASIK eye surgery is used to correct a variety of vision problems and eliminate the need for glasses and contacts. It has become one of the most common elective procedures performed across the nation. As beneficial as it is for many patients, there are numerous others who have suffered serious post-surgery complications. While some of the injuries people sustain are known risks, many others can be attributed to medical malpractice. If you have been harmed during LASIK surgery, it’s important to know when you may be eligible to recover damages. 

What Constitutes a Lawsuit for LASIK Surgery Errors? 

How to Determine if You Have a Valid Case 

Not all injuries sustained from LASIK surgery automatically warrant a medical malpractice lawsuit, so you must establish if you have a valid case before pursuing compensation. Just like any other health care professional, ophthalmologists who perform the LASIK procedure are expected to meet a certain standard of care when treating patients. You will need to first identify whether or not a reasonable standard of care was upheld by determining if a skilled and competent ophthalmologist would have provided a different level of care under the same circumstances. Next, it must be demonstrated exactly how the health care provider was negligent in their care. Finally, it must be proven that the ophthalmologist’s actions directly caused your injuries. 

Common Complications Cited in LASIK Lawsuits

Complications from LASIK surgery can happen for a variety of reasons. This may include faulty medical equipment, improper surgical technique, inaccurate pre-operative screening, and insufficient follow-up treatment. As a result of these errors, LASIK medical malpractice lawsuits often cite complications such as corneal scarring, thin corneas, haze, bilateral astigmatism, impaired night vision, halos, glares, dry eyes, glaucoma, and ectasia. 

Although LASIK surgery is a routine procedure performed on many patients every day, it’s still possible for detrimental injuries to occur because of an ophthalmologist’s negligent behavior. If you believe you have a valid medical malpractice case, you will need a knowledgeable lawyer to help you navigate the legal system. The professionals at Neimark & Neimark have more than 40 years of experience guiding residents in Orange and Rockland counties, NY, through the process of filing personal injury lawsuits. They know the most effective strategies for proving liability against health care providers and will offer aggressive representation to help maximize your compensation. Call (888) 725-7424 to schedule a consultation or visit their website for more information.