Attorney obtained a defense verdict at trial in a medical malpractice case

Attorney obtained a defense verdict at trial in a medical malpractice case. The case involved allegations of failure to advise the patient of the increased risk of retinal detachment following performance of a YAG laser procedure and of the failure to sufficiently advise of the early signs and symptoms of retinal detachment so as to alert him to immediately seek ophthalmologic consultation to prevent detachment and/or preserve vision. Two other allegations of deviation from the accepted Standards of Care were dismissed on in limine motions at the outset of the trial. The defense argued that the YAG laser procedure did not increase the risk of retinal detachment in this patient and that, in any event, he had previously been adequately warned of the the early signs of detachment. The defense further asserted that plaintiff's retinal detachment could not have been prevented even with earlier assistance and that his residual decrease in central visual acuity and his double vision were rare but acceptable complications of the reattachment procedure.