Thoroughness and attention to detail are important attributes to have in almost any industry. However, these skills are especially important when working in the medical field in New York or elsewhere. Unfortunately, it seems possible that these attributes may have been lacking in one hospital, which is finding itself in the midst of a medical malpractice lawsuit resulting from a fatal surgical mistake.
The mistake occurred during a surgical operation that lasted 17 hours in February 2009. Apparently, the surgical team had forgotten about a sponge in the patient’s body. This caused the woman to experience various complications, which ultimately resulted in her death. The lawsuit filed with the court names one particular doctor as well as the hospital, nurses, scrub technicians and various other medical personnel.
The husband of the decedent filed the lawsuit, which alleges that the sponge had caused his wife to die from medical complications caused by the mistake. The medical staff even twice attempted to remove the sponge unsuccessfully. The mistake was discovered around five to six weeks after the surgical procedure. One of the surgeries performed to attempt to take out the sponge caused damage to the woman’s spleen.
On the other hand, the defendants will have a chance to present their side of the story. This is why it is important that a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case in New York or any other state be fully prepared. Being able to counter the defense’s legal arguments will be essential in providing the best chance for a plaintiff to prevail.
Source: Dayton Daily News, "Sponge left in woman's body leads to medical malpractice suit", Mark Gokavi, July 14, 2014
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