OAKLAND, Calif. (CN) – A Kaiser plan member was seriously injured when her doctor treated her with intranasal steroid injections, according to her Alameda County Superior Court suit.

Maria Garcia-Navarro sues Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, Inc., Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and William Beck MacLean, M.D. for medical malpractice and general negligence.

Garcia-Navarro says defendant Dr. Beck “carelessly performed intranasal steroid injections,” which have caused “severe chronic pain and vision loss in her right eye, including posterior optic neuropathy and third cranial nerve palsy.” Her injuries are “grave and permanent,” according the action. 

Dr. Beck was treating her at Kaiser Permanente Watsonville Medical Offices in Watsonville, California, Garcia-Navarro says in the suit. The injuries occurred in September 2017, she says.

The injuries have caused “great physical, mental and emotional pain and suffering, loss of earnings and earning capacity,” as well as medical expenses, the suit says. In addition to the physical injuries, Garcia-Navarro continues to have “serious emotional distress,” according to the action.

Garcia-Navarro seeks general and compensatory damages for wage loss, loss of earning capacity, hospital and medical expenses, and prejudgment interest.

The plaintiff is represented by Steven J. Brewer of Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso & Brewer in Oakland, California.