Claiming Compensation for Sight Loss After Heart Surgery
Sight loss after heart surgery is a shocking outcome. The visual loss can be permanent and may justify making a claim for compensation.
The impact of sight loss
Losing their sight will change a person's life dramatically. The ability to see affects virtually every aspect of life and the loss of that faculty will require significant adjustment both practically and psychologically. Two absolutely fundamental aspects of someone's daily life, their ability to drive and to work, are likely to be affected meaning a possible financial loss of considerable proportion.
In addition, a person's very independence can be threatened by sight loss and long-term care and support may well be necessary.
If the loss of sight has been due to medical negligence, a successful compensation claim can go a long way to helping the victim deal with the many debilitating effects, physical, psychological and financial, of their loss.
Sight loss due to surgery
Whilst blindness as a result of surgery is rare, it can happen. And heart surgery is the biggest cause of post-surgery blindness.
There may be a number of different factors which cause a person to lose their sight as a result of heart surgery but understanding and investigating the patient's broadest context is crucial to minimising the risk.
Certain categories of patient are thought to be at a higher risk of losing their sight following heart surgery and the physical characteristics of these patients need assessment and consideration prior to surgery.
For example, patients who are already suffering with diabetes or who have high blood pressure or pre-existing coronary heart disease are more vulnerable to this development.
Medical negligence
If post-operative blindness is found to have resulted from a failure to either anticipate or respond to significant, contributory factors either prior to or during surgery, such as excessive blood loss, the relevant medical professionals may be considered to have acted negligently.
If the patient suffers long-term disability as a result, a compensation claim may be justified as a way forward.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are suffering with the debilitating and distressing impact of sight loss due to surgery, contact us to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
It may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
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