Surgical Tools Left Inside Patients
Posted in Medical Malpractice on March 13, 2014
http://youtu.be/ITlIjj_X1B8
Ohio medical malpractice attorney Craig McLaughlin explains how he helped a client that was injured when a surgical team left a towel inside his body after he had an operation.
Any time you go in for a medical treatment or surgery, you expect the doctor and hospital staff to be professional and fully aware of safety protocols.
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Whether it’s poor training or lack of attention to detail, medical staff can cause serious injuries and harm patients in the process. It is their duty to make sure that you are well cared for and not harmed in the process. However, there are times when medical mistakes occur, and few are graver than those that are made while in the operating room.
Surgical mistakes can come in many forms, from anesthetic errors, to operating on the wrong body part, to leaving surgical tools within the body. Some of the most common instruments left inside include scalpels, forceps, clamps, tweezers, sponges and syringes. Doctors may also leave scissors, scopes, tubing and measuring devices within a patient’s body as well.
When a foreign object is left inside a patient’s body, it can result in serious bodily injuries. These tools can pierce into organs and cause internal bleeding. Other items can cause infections, pain and lots of discomfort. Some tools can actually imbed themselves inside the body with tissue growing around them. If you notice pain or discomfort near your surgery site, it’s important to talk to your treating doctor immediately so that your matter can be checked.
If you are injured due to a surgical mistake or any type of medical malpractice, you should speak to an experienced medical malpractice attorney. Doctors, nurses and other medical staff are responsible to ensure that your surgery is safe and keeps you out of harm’s way. There are protocols in place to protect you as a patient and if you’re injured, you may need to bring a claim against those who harmed you in order to recover from the costs of your pain and suffering.
To learn more about personal injury law, I encourage you to watch the video above and to explore our website for details. If you have legal questions, please call us at 1-800-ELK-OHIO. I welcome your call.