Jury Awards $8 Million in LASIK Malpractice Case Against LCA Vision

24-year-old pilot suffered permanent vision damage after elective surgery

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A suburban Denver jury has awarded $8.03 million to a 24-year-old commercial pilot, Nicholas Lara, in a medical malpractice case against LCA Vision, Inc. The jury found that LASIKPlus, a subsidiary of LCA Vision, was negligent in its pre-operative screening and clearance of Lara for LASIK surgery, despite warning signs of keratoconus, a known contraindication. As a result, Lara developed post-LASIK ectasia, a progressive vision-threatening corneal disease, which has severely impacted his career and daily life.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of proper medical protocols and patient safety in elective procedures, especially for individuals in safety-critical professions like commercial aviation. The substantial damages award underscores the legal liability that corporate medical entities can face when they prioritize profit over patient well-being.

The details

Evidence presented at trial showed that critical warning flags on the Pentacam ophthalmic device used to evaluate Lara had been disabled, decreasing the index of suspicion for ectasia. The jury found that LASIKPlus' high-volume business model placed patient profit above patient safety, leading to the negligent pre-operative screening and surgical clearance of Lara despite the known risks.

  • On February 11, 2026, a suburban Denver jury returned an $8,030,000 verdict in favor of Nicholas Lara.

The players

Nicholas Lara

A 24-year-old commercial pilot who underwent elective LASIK surgery that resulted in permanent vision damage.

LCA Vision, Inc.

The parent company of LASIKPlus, the medical provider found negligent in Lara's case.

Todd J. Krouner

The lead plaintiff's counsel who represented Lara in the case.

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What they’re saying

“This case was about safety and responsibility in elective medicine. When a 24-year-old pilot undergoes elective eye surgery, the pre-operative screening process must function flawlessly. Here, the jury recognized that LASIKPlus' high volume business model placed patient profit above patient safety.”

— Todd J. Krouner, Plaintiff's Counsel

What’s next

The defendants have not yet indicated whether they intend to appeal the $8.03 million verdict.

The takeaway

This case underscores the legal liability that corporate medical entities can face when they prioritize profit over patient safety, especially in elective procedures for individuals in safety-critical professions. It serves as a warning to the LASIK industry to ensure proper training, oversight, and safety protocols are in place before performing contraindicated surgeries.