£105,000 compensation against Croydon University Hospital after laser surgery leaves patient 95% blind in one eye | Fieldfisher
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Case Study

£105,000 compensation against Croydon University Hospital after laser surgery leaves patient 95% blind in one eye

Jonathan Zimmern
Fieldfisher's Jonathan Zimmern was instructed by a patient of Croydon University Hospital (formerly Mayday University Hospital) to pursue a negligence claim after eye surgery in September 2010 left her blind in one eye.

Miss F underwent pan retinal photocoagulation to alleviate her non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, a disease that affects the blood vessels in the eye. Unfortunately, the procedure left her with a burn on her macula, the pigmented area near the centre of the retina, meaning she cannot see out of one eye.

The ophthalmologist's report concluded that the pan retinal photocoagulation had been performed negligently.

The Croydon Health Services Trust admitted liability in December 2012.  They accepted that the application of a laser to the macula in the course of pan retinal ablation constituted substandard care and was a wholly avoidable operator error.  It was also conceded that the damage to the central retina has caused 90-95% loss of central vision in Miss F's left eye.

Jonathan was able to negotiate an out-of-court settlement of £105,000 for Miss F.  A significant proportion of the settlement was for general damages, but provision was also made for Miss F's future care.

Miss F said:

"I'm not great with words and understanding things but Jonathan helped me all the way through my claim. If I did not understand things he would talk to me in a way I would understand, and he always advised me of the best way to proceed.  I think that if it was not for Jonathan's help I would not have been able to get as far as I did.  I would like to say a huge thank you to you Jonathan for all you have done, and all the kind care you have given me on this journey. I would advise a lot of people to come to you for your help.  Words cannot explain how thankful I am."

Contact us

For further information about ophthalmology surgery negligence claims and clinical negligence claims, please call Jonathan Zimmern on 03304606779 or email jonathan.zimmern@fieldfisher.com.

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