Foreign objects left inside a patient’s body during surgery is an egregious form of medical malpractice. These types of incidents can lead to serious complications, including infections, chronic pain, and additional surgeries. In New York, these cases often result in major legal actions due to the life-altering impact on the patient's health and quality of life.
In the experience of top medical malpractice lawyers in New York City, common causes of surgical negligence resulting in foreign objects left in the body include:
Surgical Team Errors
Complex Surgeries
Inadequate Training
Fatigue and Time Pressure
Emergency Situations
Infections
Chronic Pain
Additional Surgeries
Long-term Health Issues
Emotional and Psychological Impact
Pain and Discomfort
Swelling and Inflammation
Infection
Unusual Sensations
Digestive Issues
Respiratory Problems
Fatigue and General Malaise
Unexplained Weight Loss
Visible or Palpable Mass
Delayed Healing
Year: 2013
Location: New York City, NY
Details: In 2013, a patient named Jane Doe underwent an abdominal surgery at a prominent New York City hospital. Post-surgery, she experienced severe pain and recurring infections. Despite multiple visits to the hospital, her condition worsened. A CT scan eventually revealed a surgical sponge left inside her abdomen, leading to multiple follow-up surgeries to remove the sponge and treat the complications. Jane filed a malpractice lawsuit against the hospital and the surgical team, resulting in a significant settlement to cover her medical expenses, pain, and suffering.
Year: 2017
Location: Buffalo, NY
Details: In Buffalo, a patient named John Smith underwent a complex spinal surgery. After the procedure, he suffered from persistent pain and complications, which were initially attributed to the complexity of the surgery. However, an MRI revealed that a surgical instrument had been left inside his body. The discovery led to another surgery to remove the instrument. John subsequently filed a malpractice lawsuit, and the case was settled out of court, with the hospital agreeing to a substantial compensation package.
Year: 2015
Location: Albany, NY
Details: Mary Johnson had a routine appendectomy at a hospital in Albany. Post-surgery, she developed an abscess and severe infection. An investigation revealed that gauze had been left inside her body. This oversight necessitated emergency surgery to remove the gauze and treat the infection. Mary pursued legal action against the hospital, resulting in a malpractice settlement that compensated her for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
Year: 2019
Location: Rochester, NY
Details: During a surgical procedure in Rochester, a needle fragment was inadvertently left inside the body of a patient named Laura Davis. She experienced chronic pain and mobility issues, leading to numerous doctor visits and diagnostic tests. An x-ray eventually identified the needle fragment, and surgery was required to remove it. Laura filed a malpractice lawsuit against the surgical team and the hospital, leading to a settlement that covered her medical costs and compensated her for her pain and suffering.
Year: 2016
Location: Syracuse, NY
Details: In a particularly egregious case, a patient named Robert Brown had multiple surgical sponges left inside his abdomen during a surgery in Syracuse. Over the following months, Robert endured severe pain and multiple infections, which required several corrective surgeries. The hospital's failure to adhere to standard surgical protocols led to a major malpractice lawsuit. Robert received a substantial settlement that accounted for his medical expenses, prolonged suffering, and the impact on his quality of life.
Year: 2018
Location: Manhattan, NY
Details: During a complex cardiovascular surgery at a Manhattan hospital, a surgical clamp was left inside a patient named Henry Thompson. Post-surgery, Henry experienced severe chest pain and difficulty breathing. A series of diagnostic tests revealed the presence of the clamp, necessitating another invasive surgery to remove it. The hospital faced a malpractice lawsuit, and Henry was awarded a significant settlement for his pain, medical expenses, and the impact on his quality of life.
Year: 2014
Location: Long Island, NY
Details: A patient named Sarah Parker underwent an emergency C-section at a Long Island hospital. Following the procedure, she suffered from persistent abdominal pain and recurrent infections. An investigation and subsequent surgery revealed multiple surgical sponges left inside her body. The negligence led to a malpractice lawsuit, which concluded with a substantial settlement to cover her ongoing medical treatment and compensate for her pain and suffering.
Year: 2020
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Details: In Brooklyn, a patient named Michael Lee had abdominal surgery to remove his appendix. After the surgery, he experienced significant discomfort and digestive issues. An imaging scan revealed a foreign object, later identified as a piece of surgical equipment, in his abdominal cavity. The object was surgically removed, and Michael filed a lawsuit against the hospital and surgical team, resulting in a considerable settlement for the medical malpractice.
Year: 2017
Location: Queens, NY
Details: During an orthopedic surgery in Queens, a patient named Alice Gomez had a surgical instrument left inside her leg. She reported persistent pain and swelling post-surgery. An x-ray confirmed the presence of the instrument, which required additional surgery for removal. Alice's lawsuit against the hospital highlighted the severe oversight, and she received a settlement that compensated her for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Year: 2015
Location: Staten Island, NY
Details: A patient named David Martin underwent a major abdominal surgery at a Staten Island hospital. Post-operation, he experienced severe abdominal pain and infections. A CT scan revealed a surgical towel left inside his body. The subsequent removal surgery and complications led David to file a malpractice lawsuit against the hospital. The case concluded with a substantial settlement to cover his extensive medical expenses and the emotional distress caused by the incident.
Medical malpractice is a complicated and highly specialized area of law, demanding specific expertise and experience. At Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP (RMFW Law), we focus exclusively on this practice area, equipping our attorneys with the deep knowledge and specialized skills necessary to navigate the complexities of medical malpractice cases. Our firm's specialization ensures a nuanced understanding of medical procedures, standards of care, and the healthcare system, allowing us to thoroughly examine every aspect of your case and build the strongest possible arguments.
RMFW Law has a stellar track record of securing substantial compensation for our clients. Our NYC medical malpractice attorneys have achieved numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in medical malpractice cases, demonstrating our ability to effectively advocate for victims and hold negligent parties accountable. Some of our notable successes include:
These significant results underscore our firm's capability to handle high-stakes cases and achieve justice for our clients.
When you choose RMFW Law, you are partnering with a firm that has a proven track record of securing multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients. With over $1 billion recovered in medical and surgical negligence cases, our expertise and dedication to maximizing client compensation are recognized by insurance companies. We take pride in our long-standing legacy of excellence, having been founded in 1922. Our seasoned New York City surgical and medical malpractice lawyers bring decades of specialized experience, ensuring that every case is thoroughly prepared and aggressively negotiated or litigated.
RMFW Law has been championing victims' rights for over a century. Our firm was founded in 1922, and since then, we have built a legacy of unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients. This long-standing legacy, combined with a relentless pursuit of justice, makes us the premier choice for those seeking substantial compensation for their injuries.
Our comprehensive legal strategy involves thorough investigation, expert consultations, and relentless advocacy. We leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of justice for our clients. From the initial consultation to the final verdict or settlement, we stand by our clients every step of the way, providing the support and expertise needed to navigate the complex legal landscape of medical malpractice.
To schedule your free consultation, call us at 212-344-1000or contact us online.
MANHATTAN LAW OFFICE
122 East 42nd Street Suite 3800
New York, NY 10168
Tel: 212-LAWYERS
Tel: 212-697-9280
QUEENS LAW OFFICE
8900 Sutphin Blvd Suite 501
Queens, NY 11435
Tel: (718) 399-3100
*By Appointment Only