New Yorkers considering surgery may wish to learn about a lawsuit that a California woman filed in regards to a surgical error. The woman went in for a routine hysterectomy in 2007 and was released. However, she returned to the hospital three days later with complications. The complications included nausea, abdominal pain, blurred vision and constant thirst, and they persisted for four years.
During that time span, she repeatedly visited the hospital. Doctors diagnosed her with severe constipation at first and sent her home. During another visit, doctors diagnosed the woman with unspecified gastrointestinal issues. The woman was given a third diagnosis of ovarian cysts after she began bleeding in 2011. It was during the removal procedure intended for the cysts when a doctor discovered that a surgical sponge had been left inside her during her hysterectomy. The sponge had become encased in scar tissue, and as a result, 50 percent of the woman’s intestines had to be removed.
The hospital the performed the initial surgery was fined $25,000 by the California Department of Public Health for the incident. The hospital was also fined another $80,000 after it reportedly left an 8-inch clamp inside of another patient.
In this case, doctors had multiple chances to accurately diagnose the issue but did not. The initial surgical error also likely caused pain and suffering for the woman on top of incurring medical expenses. A personal injury lawyer could take on a similar case and assist a victim of medical malpractice in filing a lawsuit.
Source: New York Daily News, “California woman sues hospital after forgotten surgical sponge forces removal of intestines “, Deborah Hastings, June 18, 2014
