- Jurisdiction
- Oregon
This is a desperate shout for help. This is a long story. I want to try to compress it for easier reading. I'm sorry it's still quite long. I put this off many months due to the trauma of the whole situation.
Main Points
Prior to the Superficial Keratectomy my eye looked perfectly normal. I was convinced by medical staff that the Superficial Keratectomy was necessary. However, I was told by doctors that this new problem is "1,000x worse" than the old problem.
Where is my justice? Where is my resolution? I've heard of people spilling hot coffee on themselves and other things and getting 1 million dollar. I know this rare. I have been offered exactly 0 and offered exactly 0 help.
In mid-2022, I reached out to what I think was every medical malpractice attorney in Oregon. 80% of the responses said "WE DON'T TAKE INFECTION CASES." I am tired of rejection after being injured so badly. The other 20% of responses either directed me to the Oregon Bar (who's references sent me back to the same lawyers I had previously contacted) or to one lawyer who other lawyers said is the one lawyer in Portland who specializes in eye injury medical mal. When I contacted this lawyer who specializes in eye injury medical mal, he said that my case does have merit, but 1) infection cases need a lot of money 2) he has a "major conflict of interest" as he works with both the hospital in question AND the doctor in question (not the 1st year dr. but the one who did the procedure). He told me he couldn't jeopardize his relationship with the hospital or the doctor.
Is this the end of the story? I permanently lost my vision and there's nothing for me. Every minute of every waking hour I am dizzy. Because the vision in each eye is now so different. 1.8 years later I still have not been able to adjust to it. My brain seems confused by the two different types of vision from each eye. I am constantly dizzy most of the time when walking around or especially while trying to use screens. I have been to several doctors at this point paying out of pocket, and lens specialists and I have been told by everyone that due to the type of injury to the cornea that there is no fix and no solution.
OHSU is Oregon's largest hospital. I learned that OHSU took in an operating profit of $56 million in the second half of 2022. I learned that OHSU has a net worth of $3.98 billion. So how come I need to suffer for the rest of my life with a serious medical injury that can never heal after they denied my valid tort claim without any specific explanation, while this hospital is making record profits? I can't have a normal life. I have lost my ability to have a normal life or continue my normal life or work or drive. I also don't qualify for disability because it's not "full blindness" and "only one eye." This is a fucked up situation. No compensation. I don't know how it could be entirely my fault for trusting the medical providers. Something is wrong with the system.
Here are a few questions I have after sharing all of this with everyone here.
A) Are there any government agencies that can do anything to help me get compensation?
B) Would it make sense to reach out to any local media? I don't know how I could get them to pick-up on this story.
C) A friend said as a "hail Mary pass" I could possibly try suing the hospital in small claims court for up to $10,000 which considering what I've lost frankly feels like absolutely nothing. But how much work would this require? Would it even make sense to try to do?
D) Apparently, my state Oregon, has a two year limit on legal action against medical providers. Is that correct? Are there any exceptions to this? Or since the two years is coming up in only two months.. am I just screwed for the rest of my life? I don't want to sound like a hopeless victim here but in some ways I really am.
E) Can anyone here possibly help me? Even to send a letter to the hospital or could anyone here refer or recommend me to anyone who could possibly help or who might be interested in my story? I'm willing to share now. I've lost so much. As a "visual person" and as someone who used to use screens for everything, this has been an incredible loss for the most important thing that I can't get back besides life itself.
It has taken me months to work up the bravery to try ask for help again. I felt destroyed last year after my tort was denied and not being able to find legal representation. I realize this isn't the easiest case in the world and that it's a David vs. Goliath situation. I deserve some form of fair justice for what happened.
Thank you for reading.
Main Points
- Never given informed consent. I was told over and over by all staff that it was the "easiest" and "safest" procedure they do there. Even when I asked about risks, none were mentioned. Yes, it's easy to blame me now for not being aware of risks. I genuinely was not. My friend who looked through my complete records didn't find any signed informed consent. I requested all medical records and anything I signed.
- There was a misdiagnosis by 1st year doctor (who was the only doctor available to see me after the procedure before Thanksgiving) that led to delay of vital antibiotics need to stop the infection that led to the majority of my vision being permanently lost.
- I was prescribed MORE steroids even when we knew the infection was severe. I don't really know or understand whether this is acceptable standard of treatment. But everything I know now about steroids (Prednisone) is it would only help the infection grow by weakening the immune system.
- The infection must have come from the operating room where the procedure was done. I was only in two places that entire week. I was either at home or I was at the hospital. When they did a biopsy of the infection they found antibiotic resistant superbug that with almost certainty is found only in hospitals.
- The hospital's Risk Management department took 8 months to deny my valid tort claim and gave no clear reason for denial except "we found nothing wrong" when they investigated themselves. They have ignored subsequent follow-ups for further explanation and answers. There is no closure of any kind!
- The day after the procedure were red blotches on the eye when I woke up. The eye clinic later told me that "a blood vessel burst" but didn't tell me at the time before discharge.
- I called and e-mailed multiple times as well did my partner after the procedure to inform them I was starting to experience very intense pain, swelling, blurriness, etc. and that my eye was becoming very red (from the infection). The eye clinic told me over and over again "not to worry" it's "normal." They prescribed more Oxycodone. I had to 'fight' to get the follow-up. That's where I saw the 1st year doctor who did the misdiagnosis mentioned in point #2.
- Severe pain and inflammation randomly for the 1.5 years even after the eye was in a "stable" state.
- Physical injury to the eye is 90% of the problem.. but also the mental and emotional damage.. traumatized.. unable to trust.. lost most vision in that eye permanently without any solution. Diagnosed with Depression for the first time in my life.
- Can't do work normal any more like I could before. I have have 2 young kids (overseas). I can't do as much as I want to for my life or for my girls.
- I was told Cornea Transplant is my only possible solution. The eye clinic didn't offer to help or pay for anything. Other doctors I've seen since then have told me due to my situation and lack of permanent housing as well as medical circumstances and potential for complications that a cornea transplant likely would NOT work for my case. Cornea transplant was the only solution I have been told might work. A cornea transplant would need years of dedication and probably hundreds of thousands of dollars to do.
- I had perfect 20/20 vision in that eye prior to procedure. There is a clear line that can be drawn between before and after the procedure where things went terrible wrong.
- Due to the many months of prescribe Prednisolone eye drops I also have been told I have very "early cataracts" in affected eye. Though this is the least of my problems.
Prior to the Superficial Keratectomy my eye looked perfectly normal. I was convinced by medical staff that the Superficial Keratectomy was necessary. However, I was told by doctors that this new problem is "1,000x worse" than the old problem.
Where is my justice? Where is my resolution? I've heard of people spilling hot coffee on themselves and other things and getting 1 million dollar. I know this rare. I have been offered exactly 0 and offered exactly 0 help.
In mid-2022, I reached out to what I think was every medical malpractice attorney in Oregon. 80% of the responses said "WE DON'T TAKE INFECTION CASES." I am tired of rejection after being injured so badly. The other 20% of responses either directed me to the Oregon Bar (who's references sent me back to the same lawyers I had previously contacted) or to one lawyer who other lawyers said is the one lawyer in Portland who specializes in eye injury medical mal. When I contacted this lawyer who specializes in eye injury medical mal, he said that my case does have merit, but 1) infection cases need a lot of money 2) he has a "major conflict of interest" as he works with both the hospital in question AND the doctor in question (not the 1st year dr. but the one who did the procedure). He told me he couldn't jeopardize his relationship with the hospital or the doctor.
Is this the end of the story? I permanently lost my vision and there's nothing for me. Every minute of every waking hour I am dizzy. Because the vision in each eye is now so different. 1.8 years later I still have not been able to adjust to it. My brain seems confused by the two different types of vision from each eye. I am constantly dizzy most of the time when walking around or especially while trying to use screens. I have been to several doctors at this point paying out of pocket, and lens specialists and I have been told by everyone that due to the type of injury to the cornea that there is no fix and no solution.
OHSU is Oregon's largest hospital. I learned that OHSU took in an operating profit of $56 million in the second half of 2022. I learned that OHSU has a net worth of $3.98 billion. So how come I need to suffer for the rest of my life with a serious medical injury that can never heal after they denied my valid tort claim without any specific explanation, while this hospital is making record profits? I can't have a normal life. I have lost my ability to have a normal life or continue my normal life or work or drive. I also don't qualify for disability because it's not "full blindness" and "only one eye." This is a fucked up situation. No compensation. I don't know how it could be entirely my fault for trusting the medical providers. Something is wrong with the system.
Here are a few questions I have after sharing all of this with everyone here.
A) Are there any government agencies that can do anything to help me get compensation?
B) Would it make sense to reach out to any local media? I don't know how I could get them to pick-up on this story.
C) A friend said as a "hail Mary pass" I could possibly try suing the hospital in small claims court for up to $10,000 which considering what I've lost frankly feels like absolutely nothing. But how much work would this require? Would it even make sense to try to do?
D) Apparently, my state Oregon, has a two year limit on legal action against medical providers. Is that correct? Are there any exceptions to this? Or since the two years is coming up in only two months.. am I just screwed for the rest of my life? I don't want to sound like a hopeless victim here but in some ways I really am.
E) Can anyone here possibly help me? Even to send a letter to the hospital or could anyone here refer or recommend me to anyone who could possibly help or who might be interested in my story? I'm willing to share now. I've lost so much. As a "visual person" and as someone who used to use screens for everything, this has been an incredible loss for the most important thing that I can't get back besides life itself.
It has taken me months to work up the bravery to try ask for help again. I felt destroyed last year after my tort was denied and not being able to find legal representation. I realize this isn't the easiest case in the world and that it's a David vs. Goliath situation. I deserve some form of fair justice for what happened.
Thank you for reading.
