DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
This medical term is used to describe damage to the retina which occurs when small blood vessels become congested or swollen or new blood vessels grow that impair the retina. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in middle age and most often affects people who have had diabetes for over 5 years and about 50 per cent of people will suffer after 10 years of diabetes. All diabetics should have regular eye tests to assist in early diagnosis of this condition to allow treatment that may save sight.
Diabetic retinopathy is usually treated by use of pan-retinal laser photocoagulation which is carried out under local anaesthetic. The laser beam can repair some damaged blood vessels, destroy the ones that can't be repaired, slow the overall blood vessel problem down and prevent the retina detaching. Severe visual loss can be reduced by up to 50 per cent if treatment is undertaken early.
The usual key to successful treatment is early diagnosis and if health care professionals including doctors, physicians, opticians or technical staff have failed through their negligence to diagnose the illness in a timely manner then compensation may be payable for the worsening of the illness including blindness or partial blindness. Many medical mistakes can lead to a delay in diagnosis which may deprive patients of the chance of treatment and these include lost records, failing to realize the importance of a patient’s complaints, treating a patient inappropriately, inaccurate test results, misinterpretation of test results, or failing to refer a patient to a consultant. Early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy may mean less pain and suffering, less financial hardship and a greater chance of successfully saving sight.
We are a network of specialist solicitors who are all members of The Law Society panel of medical negligence experts. We will deal with your claim using the no win no fee
or Legal Aid scheme. Less than 1% of solicitors are approved by the Legal Aid Board and all of our solicitors are franchised to make an immediate application for legal aid for compensation claims involving medical errors.
If you do not qualify for Legal Aid then you may be able to make your claim using the no win no fee scheme.
Doctors, opticians and hospitals are insured and it is the insurer who will pay any damages that are awarded and not the negligent healthcare provider. Compensation that can be claimed for medical negligence may include
- Care for the past and care for the future;
- Loss of past and future income;
- Medical expenses and prescriptions;
- Loss of amenities of life;
- Pain and suffering including psychological damage;
- Reduced employment prospects;
- General expenses and losses
- Legal expenses:
- Interest on the claim
If you believe that your doctor has been negligent and you would like free advice on our Legal Aid and no win no fee claim service then just complete the contact form and a member of The Law Society panel of medical negligence experts will telephone you to discuss your claim.
LEGAL AID - NO WIN NO FEE
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