Chicago ophthalmologist Dr. Nicholas Caro is facing disciplinary action by the state medical board, but many feel it’s taking too long to take action against the doctor, who has a long history of botched surgeries and medical malpractice lawsuits.
One such case involved Nicholas Pucek, who went to Dr. Caro for Lasik surgery to help him see better without the use of contact lenses or glasses. During the procedure, too much of Pucek’s cornea was cut away. He was forced to seek over 24 follow up treatments for his complications and eventually had to undergo a cornea transplant.
Karen Thiel was another unlucky patient of Dr. Caro who sought treatment nearly a decade ago to correct her vision but instead ended up with a seriously injured cornea. She now lives with persistant pain, countless eye infections and permanent loss of vision.
Both patients sued and were awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. The problem is they were not alone in their experiences and subsequent lawsuits against Dr. Caro. In fact, since the early 1990’s the Chicago doctor has been sued nearly 50 times for medical malpractice. Yet, he is still practicing medicine.
Most logical people would agree that any doctor with a record like that should have long since lost his license to practice, so why is he still treating patients? Director of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Daniel Bluthardt, declined to comment on their ongoing investigation of the doctor, but did indicate that disciplinary proceedings can take time.
In the meantime, the physician will continue to perform dangerous surgeries on patients, many unaware of his background. It is cases like this that serve as sobering reminders of the importance of doing research before placing your health in the hands of a doctor. Knowledge is power, so take heed to this warning and you will be much less likely to become a victim of medical malpractice.
If it’s too late, however, and you have already suffered at the hands of a negligent doctor, your next step should be to speak to a medical attorney who can help you seek justice for your injuries.
Source: www.chicagotribune.com
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