Man’s Cataract Surgery Leaves Him Blind

Verdict: Not Guilty

Date: November 2010 County: Cook

PLTF Experts: Dr. William S. Fagman (Ophthalmologist)

DEF Experts: Dr. Jonathan Rubenstein (Ophthalmologist)

Summary: Plaintiff, who only had one eye, underwent right eye extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation. Plaintiff contended that the doctors failed to explain the risks and complications of the surgery and that the doctors failed to instruct him to return for a follow-up appointment the next day. Plaintiff suffered a detached retina causing him to lose the vision in his only eye. Defense contended that Plaintiff carelessly failed to appear at his follow-up appointment despite being instructed to do so and that this was the cause of his blindness.