March 17, 2003

James Grohmann successfully defended a Louisville ophthalmologist from alleged medical negligence after receiving a call from a patient complaining of significant pain following a cataract surgery, performed by another physician.  The ophthalmologist advised the patient that it was just postoperative pain, but in fact it was an eye infection known as endophtalmitis.  Two days later, the condition grew worse and a repair surgery ensued, but the patient is now legally blind in one eye.  The Plaintiff criticized the ophthalmologist taking the phone call for not inquiring more fully or charting the call.  The defendant successfully argued that the physician complied with the standard of care in taking a phone call and that an earlier diagnosis would not have affected the ultimate outcome.