Hospital Faces Damages & Picket Line Fallout After Cataract Surgery Complication
Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do – A recent court case highlights the challenges hospitals face not only in medical outcomes but also in managing public perception and potential disruption following complications, even in the absence of proven medical negligence. According to a report by MediGate News, a patient (referred to as A) was awarded damages after undergoing cataract surgery at an ophthalmology practice in Hwaseong. While the court did not find evidence of medical negligence, it ruled the medical staff failed to adequately explain the potential risks and complications of the procedure.
The case stemmed from a right eye cataract surgery where the patient’s eyeglass lens ruptured during the operation, requiring intervention by a second doctor (C). Following the surgery, patient A experienced blurred vision, floating spots, and a 36% reduction in labor capacity due to permanent vision impairment.
The court steadfast that while the surgical agreement acknowledged the possibility of complications and the need for potential further surgery, the medical staff did not sufficiently detail the specific risk of lens rupture. Despite the medical staff arguing they could have consulted a retina specialist,the court did not accept this as fulfilling their duty to inform the patient. The court stated a more specific explanation of potential complications was necessary, and simply acknowledging the possibility of complications wasn’t enough.
Beyond the medical outcome, the case was significantly impacted by the patient’s family’s subsequent actions. The family organized multiple picket demonstrations outside the hospital, displaying signs referencing “cataract” and “retina doctors” and implying medical negligence. They also shared images of these protests on social media platforms like Instagram, reaching a wider audience.
The court found these actions detrimental, stating the picket signs and online posts presented a one-sided narrative suggesting confirmed negligence by the hospital staff. This led to misinformation among those passing the hospital and potentially influenced patient decisions. Specifically, the court noted that the protests resulted in at least one patient cancelling scheduled surgery. Moreover, negative commentary about the hospital appeared in a local “mom cafe” – a popular online forum for parents – further damaging the hospital’s reputation.
as an inevitable result of the disruption to hospital operations caused by the protests, the court ordered the patient to pay 3 million won (approximately $2,300 USD) in damages. The court emphasized that the family’s actions were not justified as being in the public interest, but rather a purposeful attempt to defame the medical staff and interfere with their work.
Source: MediGate News – [Original article date: 4th (date unspecified in original text)]
