Losing one’s eyesight or having it impaired—even for a short period of time—can be devastating. It can impact every aspect of life, from your ability to earn an income to basic everyday tasks. If you suffered an eye injury as a result of the negligence of an optometrist, contact our optometrist malpractice lawyers in St Petersburg to discuss your case.
You may be entitled to considerable damages including past and future medical bills, loss of life enjoyment, and lost income. Our skilled trial attorneys can help you account for all damages you may be owed, and will fight tirelessly for the compensation you need to live your best life.
To speak with an optometrist negligence attorney, contact Emerson Straw at 727-821-1500. The consultation is free of charge, and no fees will be owed unless we win.
What Sets Our Optometrist Malpractice Lawyers Apart?
Not all personal injury lawyers have extensive experience in medical malpractice cases. At Emerson Straw, our medical negligence attorneys have a track record of success in these cases, with substantial settlements and verdicts won for our clients. We are well-versed in the case law and statutes pertaining to optometrist malpractice in Florida, and we can help you navigate the legal system.
In addition to this experience, we offer free consultations, and we do not charge anything unless you win. Our many five-star reviews are a testament to the dedication we bring to every case. Our optometrist and ophthalmologist malpractice lawyers in St Petersburg have access to well-credentialed medical and financial experts, who can help when building and proving your eye injury claim.
Negligence During Lasik & Other Procedures Can Lead to Eye Injury
When an optometrist or ophthalmologist fails to abide by the most widely accepted standards of care, devastating eye injuries can result. This can happen during just about any procedure.
Lasik, a very popular procedure to improve eyesight, can cause harm if not performed properly. If you suffered an injury while getting Lasik or any other eye treatment and you think medical negligence is to blame, contact our law firm for a free consultation.
How to Protect Your Optometry Negligence Claim from Disputes
Pursuing damages in a medical malpractice claim is seldom a straightforward process as many factors may influence the outcome of your case. The defendant or their insurance company will look for any and all reasons to dispute your claim to reduce the value of your settlement, or even deny your claim completely.
With an in-depth understanding of the law, our injury attorneys can protect your interests and fight for your rights at every stage of the proceedings. Meanwhile, here are a few steps you could take to mitigate disputes against your optometry malpractice claim:
- Do Not Provide a Recorded Statement: It is not unusual for an insurance company to contact a claimant soon after the injury becomes known. The questions asked could be phrased in such a way that leads you to make comments that can be easily misrepresented and used out of context to dispute liability and damages. It is, therefore, in your best interest to rather let your St Petersburg optometrist malpractice attorney handle all correspondence with the insurance company so you are not at the risk of saying anything that might hurt your claim.
- Seek Immediate Medical Care: You should visit a doctor immediately to get a diagnosis of your eye injury and to develop a treatment plan. If it emerges that you did not take your healthcare seriously, either by delaying diagnosis or by ignoring your doctor’s orders, the defense could argue that you did not do your duty to mitigate damages and that your negligence is the reason your condition has worsened. Your liability could then be called into question, and you may be held responsible for part or all of your damages.
- Avoid Posting on Social Media: After suffering such a devastating injury, you may want to take to social media in search of support and encouragement from friends and family. Insurance companies have, however, been known to monitor a claimant’s social media feeds for content that could compromise their claim. Sharing photos, checking in to different locations, and sharing information about your injury on social media could be detrimental to your case. For example, if your doctor has told you to stay home and rest but you share a photo of yourself sitting in the park, it could be argued by the defense that you were negligent and are partially liable for your damages. It is, therefore, best to take a social media sabbatical until your case is concluded.
Optometrist & Ophthalmologist Malpractice Lawsuit Attorneys in St Petersburg
To prove medical malpractice, you will have to demonstrate that the medical provider or facility failed to follow the most widely accepted standard of care given the circumstances. You will then have to prove that this negligence caused your injury, and that the injury has resulted in damages.
Our optometrist malpractice attorneys in St Petersburg can help prove these elements. Key evidence may include:
- Your medical records
- Records of lost income
- Documentation of medical expenses resulting from the eye injury
- Your personal injury journal
- Medical and financial expert deposition
Speak with an Optometrist Malpractice Lawyer in St Petersburg
When you are ready to discuss your case with an ophthalmologist or optometrist malpractice attorney, contact Emerson Straw for a free consultation. You can reach us at 727-821-1500 or use our contact form to send a message.
