A 33-year-old woman entered a New York hospital in the fall of 2009 for what should have been a simple surgery to end an ectopic pregnancy. However, the surgeon allegedly committed a serious medical error when he punctured her colon. The damage caused the mother to suffer blood poisoning and gangrene, which resulted in the eventual loss of her legs. Records show that she stayed in intensive care for 73 days and went into cardiac arrest three times. She endured a colostomy and skin grafts, and the potent antibiotics she was given to combat the infection caused hearing loss. First, her feet were amputated, but within days, both legs were amputated below the knee.
Attorneys for the medical facility claim that the woman should appreciate the lifesaving care the hospital provided. They say that the health care providers heard her concerns and treated her accordingly. They added that she would be able to maintain employment and that she can have the colostomy reversed. However, they admit that her treatment came with serious side effects.
The attorney for the plaintiff countered that she has experienced immense pain and suffering and explained that her challenges will last for the rest of her life. He believes that medical professionals should have found a 5-millimeter hole in her colon that led to the related problems. The woman’s parents provide care for her and are raising her 13-year-old daughter. The case is being heard by a 10-member jury composed of five men and five women. They will determine if the hospital was negligent and if so, make an appropriate financial award.
When a person undergoes a routine surgery, they expect minimal, if any, complications. A personal injury attorney might be able seek compensation for clients who were the victims of a hospital’s negligence.
Source: NY Daily News, “Woman lost legs because of LI hospital’s negligence, lawyer tells Brooklyn jury“, John Marzulli, November 04, 2013
