US Navy career wrecked due to greedy optometrist

What is the name of your state? Used to be Florida, now it is the U.K.

Around 2002 I decided to join the Navy. I passed the ASVAB and most of the physical until it came to my eyes.

I am rather near sighted, and when I took my glasses off as required, I could not pass the vision test.

I was then told that I would need a waiver from an eye specialist. I was transported over to a nearby eye doctor who apparently subcontracts for the Navy.

The eye doctor struck me as a very strange character. He went to examine my eyes and quickly went to dilate my right pupil. Within minutes, he found a "retinal hole in my right eye", that needed attention "right away".

He said that the "great news" was that this could be fixed "right now" for a fee. I had no money at all.

I mistrusted what the doctor said, and now that I am living in the UK where medical care is free I set up an appointment with an opthomologist to have my eye checked.

He dilated my pupils the same and began to examine my eyes. He proclaimed that in 30 years of checking eyes, he had not seen such a healthy set.

I explained the situation, and had him take pictures of the back of my eyes as evidence.

Can I sue the first eye doctor for lying? Shortly after his advice, I had to file bankruptcy due to lack of income. Both his incorrect advice, and my subsequent bankruptcy have apparently led to my inablity to join the armed forces for life.

Please advise.

Thanks

I don't believe you have any reason to sue. You failed the vision tests and were denied entrance to the Navy based on your failing the eye exam and you needed a 'note' from an eye specialist clearing you from any problem other than your nearsightedness. You had the option of following up with any number of eye doctors and you did not. Unless you were planning on being a pilot, your nearsightedness would have had no effect. My very nearsighted father retired from the Navy and my very nearsighted brother served in the active Navy and remains in the Navy Reserves.

If you were in that kind of financial struggle, it is possible that the Navy would have considered those circumstances in delaying or denying your entry into service until your financial situation would not have impacted your ability to serve.

Enjoy the UK; it's beautiful!
EC

ok there, thanks for your opinion...the navy was aware of my financial situation and still specified that I needed to fix my "so called" condition at my own expense...just so you know, MEPS said that I was in fact too near sided (-7.00) to join without a waiver. Following up with anyone was not an option because I could not afford that expense.

I am enjoying it out here, thanks!

Ellencee is right... but not for the reasons indicated.

The problems are:
1) The doctor, doing service for the Navy, probably enjoys a Government immunity that you would have to resolve first.
2) Even if you could sue, you can't prove any real direct damages, making your claim moot. The fact that you were denied entry to the Navy does not mean that your financial problems were caused, or would have been resolved, by admission.
3) Since the 'misdiagnosis' itself didn't cause any direct damage, you have no claim of malpractice of similar.
4) And the reality of your being 5000 miles or so away doesn't help.

The good news is... you can probably rectify the entire problem by simply enlisting.

JETX
I answered on other factors that probably were in effect, but you knew that...

Anyway--the whole purpose of my post at this time is to put everyone on alert: If you see tornado debris from my area flying past you or flood water rushing by swiftly and you see a red-haired woman in tan khaki capri's and a black tee shirt, would you please haul me in?!

EC

ellencee said:

If you see tornado debris from my area flying past you or flood water rushing by swiftly and you see a red-haired woman in tan khaki capri's and a black tee shirt, would you please haul me in?!

Click to expand...

All you had to tell me was red-head.... and I will put out a huge net!!!
Call you my 'catch of the day!!'

Got a rope waiting. Wave when you come by MA so I'll know it's you. Wouldn't want to haul out the wrong woman and miss you!

hahaha best of luck to you all...i am trying to enlist now, take cares!