Noteboom The Law Firm

Veteran Allegedly Blinded by VA Settles Lawsuit

November 12, 2010 - David E. Woodward Sr. is an 87-year-old veteran who walked into the Palo Alto Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital seeking help with his eyes. In 2004, he was diagnosed as a "glaucoma suspect." Despite the diagnosis, subsequent visits, and being assessed as at risk for developing glaucoma, he spent the next 4 1/2 years without any treatment for his onset glaucoma.

As a result, Woodward ended up becoming legally blind. Woodward's lawsuit claimed his physical and emotional pain, including anxiety and depression, was caused by the negligent medical treatment. The government settled Woodward's lawsuit for $250,000.  

The Palo Alto VA launched an internal investigation into the health care given to 381 patients. Those patients were either at risk for developing glaucoma or had been diagnosed with glaucoma. Woodward was 1 of 8 patients who received eye treatment at the Pal Alto VA Hospital and were informed by hospital officials that receiving improper care that may have resulted in their loss of vision. 

It was discovered the hospital's optometrists did not operate according to an established policy requiring ophthalmologists to review and manage every case in which a veterans was diagnosed with glaucoma. The VA has since changed the structure of the departments to guarantee veterans receive proper care.