‘Michael’, 62

Bryony Doyle, a specialist medical negligence solicitor at JMW, represented Michael in a compensation claim after he suffered permanent vision loss due to a delay in diagnosis.

Delayed treatment

Michael suffered a sudden onset of distorted vision and he sought advice from his opticians. He was assessed by the optometrist who carried out a scan of his eye. Michael was misdiagnosed with a condition where fluid to the eye can cause problems with vision. Michael was advised that this should resolve by itself, but the optometrist arranged a follow-up appointment with the eye clinic.

Two months later Michael was seen at the eye clinic and diagnosed with wet age related macular degeneration (AMD). This is a sight threatening condition that requires urgent treatment. Treatment by way of injections was then carried out, but after several months there was no improvement to his vision and Michael was advised there was nothing further they could do. 

Michael lost almost all of the useful vision to the affected eye, although he retained good vision in his other eye. This vision loss causes him difficulties in judging depth and distance and affected his job as a driver.

Successful medical negligence case

After getting in touch with JMW, specialist medical negligence lawyer Bryony Doyle took on Michael’s case. After investigations were carried out, Bryony claimed that the optometrist failed to take into account Michael’s risk factors for AMD and failed to note signs of the condition on the scan that was taken. With appropriate care, Michael would have been referred to hospital urgently to be seen in the eye clinic the same or next day. With earlier injections, Michael would have retained his vision. 

An early admission of liability was made and settlement negotiations were quickly able to achieve a settlement of £31,500 for Michael. This compensation reflects Michael’s pain and suffering and the impact his vision loss has had on his day to day activities and employment.