Former Cy Young Pitcher Jim Palmer Wins Malpractice Suit After Botched Eye Surgery

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Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer was awarded $890,000 after a West Palm Beach jury found an ophthalmologist liable for damaging his vision. After a two-week trial, it took a jury about four hours to decide Palmer should receive the money for suffering, lost wages and mental and physical pain. The jury awarded Palmer $327,000 in lost earnings and $563,000 in pain and suffering.

Palmer sued his ophthalmologist after cataract surgery on his left eye. Palmer's doctor implanted an artificial lens that should not have been used because it was known for creating night vision problems. His attorney said Palmer was talked into a getting a multifocal intraocular lens in his eye that isn't made for people who work at night. That lens was later taken off the market. After the cataract surgery, there were signs of retinal tears that were not investigated. The retinal tears led to a detached retina. Palmer still has night vision problems that have affected his ability to work, as many games are held at night.

Palmer pitched for the Baltimore Orioles, won three Cy Young Awards, admitted into baseball's Hall of Fame in 1990 and is currently an analyst on Orioles television broadcasts.