Surgical errors occur in New Jersey and across the nation every day, and some of those mistakes result in serious injury. For one U.S. Army veteran, a kidney operation in Ohio turned into a prolonged cacophony of errors that began with operating room personnel leaving two 11-by-14-inch towels inside the man after his May 2008 operation. While there can be no reasonable explanation other than surgical error to account for the negligence, what followed certainly compounded the unpleasant circumstances.

The man was twice readmitted to the hospital for abdominal pain following his kidney surgery. However, the hospital negligence was not discovered until three and a half months after the incident. In August, doctors finally ordered a scan and determined for the first time that the towels were inside the patient. Surgeons operated the following day to remove the towels, and a further hernia operation was necessary due to the multiple abdominal surgeries. In addition to the discomfort occasioned by the apparent negligence, the veteran was unable to work for approximately one year.

A medical malpractice lawsuit ensued, and the government did not contest liability for the incident. Ultimately, it agreed to settle the claim by paying $275,000 to the man for his injuries and pain and suffering. The case will certainly remind readers of the continuing issues of medical malpractice in New Jersey hospitals. People who suspect that they or a loved one have suffered as a result of surgical error would likely benefit from consulting someone fully experienced in the relevant law. A legal professional can assess liability, help preserve important evidence, and carefully process claims for a full financial recovery.

Source: Reuters, "Ohio man settles for $275,000 from VA surgery error," Dec. 14, 2011