WWII Veteran Wins Malpractice Suit Against Hospital in Mississippi

A judge has awarded $749,000 to the estate of a World War II veteran who lost much of his vision during a surgery at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility in Jackson, Mississippi.

Charles West died May 8, after the trial but before the court’s ruling, so the damages awarded this week in the federal lawsuit he filed in U.S. District Court will go to his estate.

U.S. District Judge Tom said West suffered damage to the corneas of both eyes during a 2006 blepharoplasty, a procedure to remove sagging skin between the eyebrow and the eye lid.

West argued damage was caused by a nurse during surgery preparation when a Betadine solution was not properly diluted.

A VA attorney did not immediately respond to a message.