O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors recently obtained a settlement of £50,000.00 on behalf of our client who suffered significant injuries which she alleged were due to substandard treatment provided by a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon. Claire Hunt dealt with the matter.
Our client attended in early 2017 to enquire about her suitability to undergo bilateral laser surgery in respect of symptoms she was experiencing. The patient re-attended again a few weeks later at which stage further investigations were undertaken.
Our client subsequently underwent the laser procedure on both eyes but complications arose during the surgery. As a result of this, she has suffered ongoing unnecessary pain and distress, problems with her vision together with a significant exacerbation of a pre-existing symptomology.
We were instructed to investigate the standard of treatment provided. We obtained copies of our client’s clinical records and instructed an independent Ophthalmic Surgery expert based outside Northern Ireland to prepare a number of reports and to examine our client. It was our expert’s opinion that the treatment which the Defendant had provided fell below the standards to be expected of a reasonably competent Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon. The expert opined that there had been a failure to obtain informed consent to the surgery. Our expert was also critical of the Defendant’s decision not to implement any treatment plan prior to undertaking the surgery.
Whilst it was necessary to issue protective High Court proceedings, it was ultimately agreed that our client would receive £50,000.00 in respect of the avoidable pain, suffering and inconvenience which she has endured and which is ongoing. The settlement was made without admission of liability.
