Hospital negligence results in lost legs for New York woman

While undergoing a simple gynecological procedure, a New York woman's colon was punctured. As a result, the woman suffered from blood poisoning and gangrene, went into cardiac arrest three times in intensive care, lost some of her hearing due to the antibiotics and then had her feet amputated at the ankle. As if this weren't enough for one woman to bear, her legs were then amputated below the knee, all as a result of a surgical error.

The organ was perforated during a laparoscopic procedure, typically a standard and low-risk surgical procedure. However, in this woman's case, a mistake was made and went undiagnosed, despite the woman's complaints. The hospital has claimed that despite her hardships, the woman can lead a good life and that the hospital did all that they could do in terms of care. The doctors denied that they were the cause of the colon damage, and that it was likely due to a bowel condition occurring after the procedure. Regardless, the woman's condition went uncared for long enough that she developed gangrene and sepsis.

However, the woman will struggle with her prosthetic legs, her damaged hearing and her damaged colon for the rest of her life. Her mother told sources that her 13-year-old granddaughter has become her responsibility in addition to caring for her daughter. This type of financial and emotional hardship is a challenge for any family. Though this woman's good health cannot be returned to her, the financial burden of her medical expenses and loss of wages can be rectified. The court will hear her case, and hopefully, justice can be returned to her and her family.

For families who are paying the price for medical malpractice, surgical mistakes or hospital negligence, there are options available for financial compensation. Personal injury attorneys can provide valuable advice about options for those who are injured due to a medical professional's errors.

Source: The New York Daily News, "Woman lost legs because of LI hospital's negligence, lawyer tells Brooklyn jury" John Marzulli, Nov. 04, 2013