PITTSBURGH – A U.S. Navy veteran alleges that substandard care he received at his local Veterans Affairs hospital resulted in his suffering permanent vision loss and damage.
John Gazdacko of Pittsburgh first filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on June 14 versus the United States America’s Department of Veterans Affairs, in Pittsburgh.
In 2017, the suit says that the plaintiff, a U.S. Navy veteran from 1961 to 1966, was treating at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital of Pittsburgh for multiple medical conditions including: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), chronic pain syndrome, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and gastroesophageal reflux disease,” the suit says.
“Plaintiff was diagnosed by VA physicians with Graves’ disease. Graves’ disease is an auto-immune disorder that affects the thyroid. It frequently results in and is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Signs and symptoms may include hyperthyroidism, cardiac rhythm dysfunction, gastrointestinal distress, weight loss, muscle weakness and mood swings,” the suit says.
“Additionally, Graves’ disease frequently presents with, ocular and vision symptoms that may include inflammation of the eyes, swelling of the tissues and muscles around the eyes and bulging of the eyes with resultant diminution of visual activity called Graves’ ophthalmopathy or orbitopathy.”
The suit adds that untreated and/or untimely-treated Graves’ ophthalmopathy or orbitopathy can lead to severe visual disturbance and dysfunction including diplopia, diminished visual acuity and blindness.
From 2017 to 2019, Gazdacko says he was examined a variety of physicians at the VA, who all allegedly noted his diagnosis of Graves’ disease, but initially did not receive further treatment for his eyes – with which he repeatedly mentioned worsening issues.
Unfortunately, plaintiff’s vision did not improve with medical treatment received later on and he was referred to Tonya Stefko, M.D., an ophthalmological surgeon at UPMC for a surgical consultation. On or about May 1, 2019, plaintiff underwent a bilateral orbit decompression by Dr. Stefko at UPMC. Concurrent with that procedure, plaintiff also underwent endoscopic medial orbital and optic canal decompressions performed by Carl Snyderman, M.D.
“Unfortunately, the surgical procedures did not restore plaintiff’s vision and he remains with severe vision loss bilaterally. This condition is likely permanent,” the suit states.
“Had the attending medical providers at the VA of Pittsburgh timely diagnosed the plaintiff’s visual disturbance secondary to Graves’ disease, it is likely that appropriate and timely medical and/or surgical treatment would have been provided and plaintiff’s current severe vision loss could have been avoided.”
For a count of negligence, the plaintiff is seeking damages in the sum of $2,000,000, plus pre-judgment interest, attorney’s fees and costs expended in this action and for such other relief as the Court deems necessary and just.
The plaintiff is represented by Michael C. George of the Law Office of Michael C. George, in Pittsburgh.
The defendant has not yet obtained legal counsel.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania case 2:21-cv-00776
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com