Man Awarded Compensation After Medical Negligence Leads to Blindness

A man who lost his sight after a hospital cancelled a number of eye appointments has received a £2 million payout. Colin Fortune who had already lost his sight in one eye, went blind after doctors at Arrowe Park Hospital failed to properly monitor and treat him for problems with his other eye.

Mr Fortune, a father-of four, was under the care of staff at Arrow Park Hospital for treatment to his left eye, having previously lost sight in his right eye following a sporting accident. His vision began to deteriorate, and despite having an operating at Royal Liverpool Hospital in a last-chance attempt, he lost the sight in his remaining eye.

If you have experienced a loss of sight resulting from the actions of medical professional such as your optician, GP, specialist or other health professional you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation. Contact our medical negligence lawyers to discuss your case today. We offer a free initial consultation and offer a No-Win No-Fee Agreement so there is no financial risk involved if you are not successful. To discuss your case or to make an appointment please contact us on 01895 207835 or 01895 207295. Alternatively, please email us at PI@ibblaw.co.uk or complete our online form.

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Eyesight lost due to medical staff failing to investigate symptoms

Describing the events that led to his loss of sight, Mr Fortune explained:

“In 2008 I went to the optician and they said I had raised pressure in my eye. Arrowe Park started treatment for glaucoma but they didn’t do any of the tests you’re meant to have for it. They were meant to be seeing me every six to 12 weeks but they cancelled a lot of appointments on me.

I kept ringing them saying ‘My sight’s getting worse and you’re cancelling appointments’. I eventually found out I had a detached retina, which was diagnosed in 2011 when they sent me to the Royal for a special glaucoma operation. It developed into end stage glaucoma because the retina had been detached for that long. I had noticed my sight was getting worse and worse and I couldn’t see as well as I had previously. I don’t know how they missed it.”

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a condition which can affect sight, usually due to a build-up of pressure within the eye. Glaucoma often affects both eyes, usually to varying degrees. One eye may develop glaucoma quicker than the other. The eyeball contains a constantly-produced fluid called aqueous humour, with any excess drained though tubes. Glaucoma develops when the fluid cannot drain properly and pressure builds up, known as the intraocular pressure. This can damage the optic nerve (which connects the eye to the brain) and the nerve fibres from the retina (the light-sensitive nerve tissue that lines the back of the eye). Details on the causes of glaucoma can be found here.

Consequences of resulting blindness

Following the loss of his sight, Mr Fortune had to give up his job as a care organiser and his relationship with his partner later broke down. He also began to suffer from depression.

“Everything has changed. I used to play sport and I used to go to the match. I’ve split up with my partner and I rely on other people. The biggest thing you notice is your independence – I’ve lost all of it. I have to pay a carer to do the things I used to be able to do myself,” Mr Fortune explained adding that no amount of money could ever make up for what has lost.

A spokesman for Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “We would like to express our sincere regret to Mr Fortune for failings that occurred in his treatment between 2009 and 2011. Liability for his injury was admitted in 2013 and the Trust has since worked with Mr Fortune’s legal representatives to assess his future care requirements and make settlement of his claim.”

The £2 million payment will allow Mr Fortune to fund his care regime and provide him with an income for the rest of his life.

Compensation for loss of eye sight

Our goal at IBB Solicitors is to obtain justice for victims of the negligence by others, by securing compensation that reflects their pain and suffering, as well as related financial losses including loss of earnings, treatment costs and specialist care costs.

If you believe that you experienced a loss of eye-sight or damage to your eyes resulting from delayed or misdiagnosis, or from negligence resulting from the actions of your optician, GP, consultant, surgeon, nurse, or other health care provider contact our medical negligence solicitors today. We offer a No-Win No-Fee Agreement so there is no financial risk involved if you are not successful. To discuss your case or to make an appointment please contact us on 01895 207835 or 01895 207295. Alternatively, please email us at PI@ibblaw.co.uk or complete our online form.

CONTACT OUR NO-WIN NO-FEE SOLICITORS FOR A FREE CONSULTATION