A 68-year-old woman had been the patient of The Princeton Eye Group in Princeton, New Jersey for more than 20 years. In February 2019, her eye doctor referred her to a glaucoma specialist. However, the woman alleged that the referral was made too late and that the delay caused her to suffer partial loss of sight in her right eye.
The woman’s New Jersey medical malpractice Complaint alleged, in part:
Plaintiff Jessyca Demarco (“Demarco”) became a patient of Michael Y. Wong, M.D. (“Dr. Wong”) on or around January 12, 2015.
Demarco was a patient of Dr. Wong for many years until her care was transferred to one of Dr. Wong’s colleagues on or about February 21, 2019.
Dr. Wong cared for, evaluated, tested and treated the plaintiff, including but not limited to performing multiple tests, procedures and evaluations related to her eyes and vision.
The care, evaluation and treatment provided to the plaintiff by Dr. Wong was negligent and fell below the acceptable standards of medical practice and care, and Dr. Wong failed to obtain the informed consent of the plaintiff for the treatment plan and care and treatment provided.
As a proximate result of defendants’ negligence, deviations from accepted standards of medical practice, and/or failure to obtained informed consent, plaintiff has and will continue to experience severe, permanent injuries, pain, suffering, disability, impairment, loss of enjoyment of life, medical bills, expenses, and economic damages.
In announcing the settlement, the woman’s New Jersey medical malpractice lawyer stated: “In 2019, Dr. Wong finally referred Ms. Demarco to a colleague of his that specialized in glaucoma treatment and that colleague got Ms. Demarco’s [intraocular pressure] normalized, but due to the years of delay and inadequate treatment, she suffered permanent irreversible partial visual field loss in her right eye. It is unfortunate that our Ms. Demarco trusted Dr. Wong to provide her with the highest level of care and protect her from the exact type of harm she suffered on his watch. While we are glad to have helped her obtain this recovery, Ms. Demarco should not have been in this position. “
The defense reportedly argued that Dr. Wong acted appropriately by trying to lower Demarco’s interocular pressure and that the treatment was not successful. The defense also pointed to Demarco’s stroke that she had suffered before she was treated for glaucoma.
The settlement was reached on July 24, 2024.
If you or a loved one may have been harmed as a result of undiagnosed or untreated glaucoma in the United States, you should promptly find a local medical malpractice lawyer in your state who may investigate your glaucoma claim for you and represent you or your loved one in a glaucoma medical malpractice case, if appropriate.
Click on the “Contact Us Now” tab to the right, visit our website, or call us toll-free in the United States at 800-295-3959 to find medical malpractice attorneys in your state who may assist you.
Turn to us when you don’t know where to turn.
